Grant Workshops

Get yoUr gRant fUnded (GURU)

Get yoUr gRant fUnded (GURU) is an intensive grant writing course intended for 91С»Æ³µ faculty, focused on NIH R01 or equivalent types of applications. This course is taught by Philip Kern, MD, and the UK Proposal Development Office. The program includes a mixture of class work, tutorials, and personal assistance with the hope that the participant could submit a grant and then submit a revision if the first submission is not funded.  There are writing accountability milestones throughout the course to encourage progress and growth. The course is designed for in-person attendance.

Space is limited and priority will be given to 91С»Æ³µ faculty targeting submission deadlines in the next two NIH cycle deadlines (~6-9 months). Candidates for the course must be ready to write, have adequate protected time to pursue a grant, actively participate in the course, and devote time to writing, meeting their mentors, and perform other grant-related activities.  Participants are selected based on eligibility, readiness to write (as evidenced by abstract or specific aims submitted during application, targeted funding opportunity, anticipated date of submission), and on a first-come, first-served basis.

Questions regarding the course can be directed to Kelly Meulendyke (kelly.meulendyke@uky.edu).

Fall 2025 GURU Details and Application

If you are interested in this program, please complete the following application: 

The application window will close August 18, 2025. Participants will be notified of acceptance into the program August 29, 2025.

Session 1: Overview of the NIH Grant Process and Expectations (Tuesday, September 9, 2025, 9:30-11:30 a.m.)

  • Learn about the NIH submission process, how NIH grants are scored, and how to select appropriate NIH study sections.
  • Introduction to the Specific Aims page.
  • Homework:  Write a draft Specific Aims page.

Session 2: Specific Aims (Tuesday, September 16, 2025, 9:30-11:30 a.m.)

  • Learn features of an impactful Specific Aims page.
  • Introduction to Significance and Innovation.
  • Homework: Refine and improve your Specific Aims.
  • Homework:  Start writing Significance and Innovation sections.

Session 3: Significance and Innovation (Tuesday, October 7, 2025, 9:30-11:30 a.m.)

  • Learn to craft the Significance and Innovation sections of the Research Strategy.
  • Bring questions to class.  Describe your interactions with your mentor(s).
  • Introduction to the Approach section.
  • Homework: Refine and improve your Significance and Innovation sections.
  • Homework:  Start writing Approach section.

Session 4: Approach (Tuesday, October 28, 2025, 9:30-11:30 a.m.)

  • Learn how to write a compelling Approach section.
  • The previous class’s homework will be reviewed. Bring questions and issues to class.  Be prepared to share your issues and problems in writing.
  • Homework: Write and/or improve Approach section.

Session 5: Course Wrap-up (Tuesday, November 11, 2025, 9:30-11:30 a.m.)

  • Putting the pieces together.
  • What do you put in the budget and budget justification?
Fall 2025 GURU Details and Application

If you are interested in this program, please complete the following application: 

The application window will close August 18, 2025. Participants will be notified of acceptance into the program August 29, 2025.

Session 1: Overview of the NIH Grant Process and Expectations (Tuesday, September 9, 2025, 9:30-11:30 a.m.)

  • Learn about the NIH submission process, how NIH grants are scored, and how to select appropriate NIH study sections.
  • Introduction to the Specific Aims page.
  • Homework:  Write a draft Specific Aims page.

Session 2: Specific Aims (Tuesday, September 16, 2025, 9:30-11:30 a.m.)

  • Learn features of an impactful Specific Aims page.
  • Introduction to Significance and Innovation.
  • Homework: Refine and improve your Specific Aims.
  • Homework:  Start writing Significance and Innovation sections.

Session 3: Significance and Innovation (Tuesday, October 7, 2025, 9:30-11:30 a.m.)

  • Learn to craft the Significance and Innovation sections of the Research Strategy.
  • Bring questions to class.  Describe your interactions with your mentor(s).
  • Introduction to the Approach section.
  • Homework: Refine and improve your Significance and Innovation sections.
  • Homework:  Start writing Approach section.

Session 4: Approach (Tuesday, October 28, 2025, 9:30-11:30 a.m.)

  • Learn how to write a compelling Approach section.
  • The previous class’s homework will be reviewed. Bring questions and issues to class.  Be prepared to share your issues and problems in writing.
  • Homework: Write and/or improve Approach section.

Session 5: Course Wrap-up (Tuesday, November 11, 2025, 9:30-11:30 a.m.)

  • Putting the pieces together.
  • What do you put in the budget and budget justification?

Spring 2025 GURU Details

Session 1: Overview of the NIH Grant Process and Expectations (Thursday, February 20, 2025, 2-4 p.m.)

  • Learn about the NIH submission process, how NIH grants are scored, and how to select appropriate NIH study sections.
  • Introduction to the Specific Aims page.
  • Homework:  Write a draft Specific Aims page.

Session 2: Specific Aims (Thursday, February 27, 2025, 2-4 p.m.)

  • Learn features of an impactful Specific Aims page.
  • Introduction to Significance and Innovation.
  • Homework: Refine and improve your Specific Aims.
  • Homework:  Start writing Significance and Innovation sections.

Session 3: Significance and Innovation (Thursday, March 20, 2025, 2-4 p.m.)

  • Learn to craft the Significance and Innovation sections of the Research Strategy.
  • Bring questions to class.  Describe your interactions with your mentor(s).
  • Introduction to the Approach section.
  • Homework: Refine and improve your Significance and Innovation sections.
  • Homework:  Start writing Approach section.

Session 4: Approach (Thursday, March 27, 2025, 2-4 p.m.)

  • Learn how to write a compelling Approach section.
  • The previous class’s homework will be reviewed. Bring questions and issues to class.  Be prepared to share your issues and problems in writing.
  • Homework: Write and/or improve Approach section.

Session 5: Course Wrap-up (Thursday, April 17, 2025, 2-4 p.m.)

  • Putting the pieces together.
  • What do you put in the budget and budget justification?

Office hours (optional) will be available on the weeks in between the main course sessions (Thursdays, 2-4 p.m.). These are informal sessions, providing a dedicated time and space to write, discuss progress/challenges, and/or receive feedback. 

Spring 2025 GURU Details

Session 1: Overview of the NIH Grant Process and Expectations (Thursday, February 20, 2025, 2-4 p.m.)

  • Learn about the NIH submission process, how NIH grants are scored, and how to select appropriate NIH study sections.
  • Introduction to the Specific Aims page.
  • Homework:  Write a draft Specific Aims page.

Session 2: Specific Aims (Thursday, February 27, 2025, 2-4 p.m.)

  • Learn features of an impactful Specific Aims page.
  • Introduction to Significance and Innovation.
  • Homework: Refine and improve your Specific Aims.
  • Homework:  Start writing Significance and Innovation sections.

Session 3: Significance and Innovation (Thursday, March 20, 2025, 2-4 p.m.)

  • Learn to craft the Significance and Innovation sections of the Research Strategy.
  • Bring questions to class.  Describe your interactions with your mentor(s).
  • Introduction to the Approach section.
  • Homework: Refine and improve your Significance and Innovation sections.
  • Homework:  Start writing Approach section.

Session 4: Approach (Thursday, March 27, 2025, 2-4 p.m.)

  • Learn how to write a compelling Approach section.
  • The previous class’s homework will be reviewed. Bring questions and issues to class.  Be prepared to share your issues and problems in writing.
  • Homework: Write and/or improve Approach section.

Session 5: Course Wrap-up (Thursday, April 17, 2025, 2-4 p.m.)

  • Putting the pieces together.
  • What do you put in the budget and budget justification?

Office hours (optional) will be available on the weeks in between the main course sessions (Thursdays, 2-4 p.m.). These are informal sessions, providing a dedicated time and space to write, discuss progress/challenges, and/or receive feedback. 

Fall 2024 GURU Details

Session 1: Overview of the NIH Grant Process and Expectations (Wed., Sept. 18, 2-4 p.m.)

  • Learn about the NIH submission process, how NIH grants are scored, and how to select appropriate NIH study sections.
  • Introduction to the Specific Aims page.
  • Homework:  Write a draft Specific Aims page.

Session 2: Specific Aims (Wed., Sept. 25, 2-4 p.m.)

  • Learn features of an impactful Specific Aims page.
  • Introduction to Significance and Innovation.
  • Homework: Refine and improve your Specific Aims.
  • Homework:  Start writing Significance and Innovation sections.

Session 3: Significance and Innovation (Wed. Oct. 16, 2-4 p.m.)

  • Learn to craft the Significance and Innovation sections of the Research Strategy.
  • Bring questions to class.  Describe your interactions with your mentor(s).
  • Introduction to the Approach section.
  • Homework: Refine and improve your Significance and Innovation sections.
  • Homework:  Start writing Approach section.

Session 4: Approach (Wed., Oct. 30, 2-4 p.m.)

  • Learn how to write a compelling Approach section.
  • The previous class’s homework will be reviewed. Bring questions and issues to class.  Be prepared to share your issues and problems in writing.
  • Homework: Write and/or improve Approach section.

Session 5: Course Wrap-up (Wed., Nov. 20, 2-4 p.m.)

  • Putting the pieces together.
  • What do you put in the budget and budget justification?
Fall 2024 GURU Details

Session 1: Overview of the NIH Grant Process and Expectations (Wed., Sept. 18, 2-4 p.m.)

  • Learn about the NIH submission process, how NIH grants are scored, and how to select appropriate NIH study sections.
  • Introduction to the Specific Aims page.
  • Homework:  Write a draft Specific Aims page.

Session 2: Specific Aims (Wed., Sept. 25, 2-4 p.m.)

  • Learn features of an impactful Specific Aims page.
  • Introduction to Significance and Innovation.
  • Homework: Refine and improve your Specific Aims.
  • Homework:  Start writing Significance and Innovation sections.

Session 3: Significance and Innovation (Wed. Oct. 16, 2-4 p.m.)

  • Learn to craft the Significance and Innovation sections of the Research Strategy.
  • Bring questions to class.  Describe your interactions with your mentor(s).
  • Introduction to the Approach section.
  • Homework: Refine and improve your Significance and Innovation sections.
  • Homework:  Start writing Approach section.

Session 4: Approach (Wed., Oct. 30, 2-4 p.m.)

  • Learn how to write a compelling Approach section.
  • The previous class’s homework will be reviewed. Bring questions and issues to class.  Be prepared to share your issues and problems in writing.
  • Homework: Write and/or improve Approach section.

Session 5: Course Wrap-up (Wed., Nov. 20, 2-4 p.m.)

  • Putting the pieces together.
  • What do you put in the budget and budget justification?