Proposal Instructions

The proposal should describe the multidisciplinary research project that the applicant plans to execute as part of his or her independent research experience. It should provide sufficient detail about the 6 items listed below to allow for evaluation of the merit of the research. Items 1 through 4 should not exceed a total of 6 pages.

  1. Specific Aims: List the broad, long-term objectives and what the specific research proposed in the application is intended to accomplish.
  2. Background and Significance: Briefly sketch the background leading to the proposed research project. Critically evaluate existing knowledge and specifically identify the gaps that the project is intended to fill. State concisely the importance and health relevance of the proposed research by relating the specific aims to the broad, long-term objectives. Include a discussion of why a multidisciplinary approach is important in conducting the proposed research and why the research area is important in improving health care or clinical outcomes or in achieving the NIH Roadmap objectives.
  3. Preliminary Studies: Use this section to provide an account of the applicant's preliminary work that is pertinent to the application and will help to establish the experience and competence of the applicant to pursue the proposed project.
  4. Research Design and Methods: Describe the research design and the procedures to be used to accomplish the specific aims of the project. Include how the data will be collected and analyzed. Discuss the potential difficulties and limitations of the proposed procedures and alternative approaches to achieve the aims. Describe the innovative and multidisciplinary aspects of the project. As part of this section, provide a tentative sequence or timetable for the project.
  5. Human Subjects: Address the involvement of human subjects and plans to protect them from risks associated with participation in the proposed research (not included in the 6-page limitation and not to exceed 1 page).
  6. Literature Cited: List pertinent literature references (not included in the 6-page limitation).

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