FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)
Why a Mentored Research Academy?
In FY 2013, the national success rate at NIH for new R01-type proposals submitted by new investigators was 13%. At the U-M Medical School, professors and associate professors have higher success rates for R01 submissions than assistant professors; in U-M's FY 2013, assistant professors succeeded at slightly higher than the average NIH rate (17%), but associate and full professors had success rates significantly higher.
The message is clear – the process is competitive – and aspiring R01 Principal Investigators need to get input and reviews regarding their proposals in advance of submitting them to NIH. Their first review should not be by an NIH study section. The R01 Boot Camp has been designed to meet this need, and to help the mentee evaluate their competitive status in their scientific niche.
The program includes a department-hosted Chalk Talk to get broad-based input from their colleagues. And most importantly, they will receive multiple levels of feedback on their proposals as they are being written and before they are submitted.
For the R01 Boot Camp Program, participation will be limited to faculty members who have not yet been Principal Investigators on R01 grants.
Please see the Mentees page for more information.
What do I do if I am interested in participating?
Applications for the 2022-23 cohort of R01 Boot Camp are now closed. Applications for the 2023-2024 program will open in Spring 2023.
If you have questions about the R01 Boot Camp program please contact us at R01BootCamp@umich.edu.
When does the mentee have to submit his or her R01?
Boot Camp mentees are expected to submit and R01-equivalent proposal within 12 months of program completion. Submission is a requirement of the program and will be verified by the Office of Research.
Additionally, Chairs are asked to acknowledge the timing requirement and commit to financial support of the program if the submission is not sent.
Can the mentee work on an application other than a R01?
The goal of R01 Boot Camp is to develop an R01 application, but we also will consider “equivalent” applications, e.g., Department of Defense or American Heart Association over $500K. We understand that in the meantime mentees may apply for smaller grants, such as an internal pilot or foundation grant to gather preliminary data, but these smaller grants do not meet the R01 Boot Camp requirement for proposal submission.
The mentee is expected to submit an R01 by the identified deadline. Development of smaller proposals, e.g., R21, R03, will not qualify as a Boot Camp activity. Development of NIH K awards are not covered in the R01 Boot Camp; we encourage faculty members seeking K awards to attend the MICHR Workshop to Help Junior Faculty and Fellows Prepare K Grants.
How long is R01 Boot Camp?
The duration of the official academy is 9 months, with most of the meetings and activities scheduled by the mentee and his/her peer group, e.g., once a month.
How many large group activities are scheduled?
There are several cohort activities scheduled:
- Opening Ceremony (2 hours)
- Grant writing seminar (1 day)
- Large Group workshop (2 hours)
- Large Group Training Opportunity (2 hours)
- Mock Review & Closing Ceremony (2 hours)
Visit the Activities & Resources page for more information.
What are the responsibilities of the mentees and the coaches?
For more information on the responsibilities of mentees and coaches, please see separate pages addressing the roles of both Mentees and Coaches.
What are the responsibilities of the departments and Chairs?
- Solicit applications from mentees and coaches
- Endorse mentee(s) from department
- Provide recommendations/introductions to internal and external subject matter experts
- Provide protected time for participation in Boot Camp activities
- Provide protected time for crafting of the R01 proposal
- Host Chalk Talks
- Communicate with the coaches regarding the progress and needed support for mentees from their department
- Support coach participation in program with release time, if needed
- Provide financial support of the R01 Boot Camp program, as required
- Recognize mentees' and coaches' participation in program (as appropriate)
- Have mentee report when proposal is submitted
If I am interested in being an Internal Subject Matter Expert (ISME), what do I do?
Internal Subject Matter Experts (ISMEs) will be selected by the mentee in consultation with coaches, Department Chairs, and Associate Chairs for Research. Please see the Internal Subject Matter Experts page for more information.
What are the responsibilities of the External Subject Matter Expert (ESME)?
Approximately six weeks before the grant is submitted, the R01 Boot Camp will pay for one external review ($500) by an experienced investigator outside of the Medical School or the U-M. This person will be chosen by the mentee in consultation with the ISME. He/she will be given a NIH-style reviewers' form to complete.
Please see the External Subject Matter Experts page for more information.
Can I apply for the Institute for Health Policy & Innovation (IHPI) small group?
The U-M Institute for Health Policy & Innovation (IHPI) is sponsoring one team within the R01 Boot Camp program. The IHPI team has a health services research focus, and applicants who have related research aims may indicate their interest in joining the IPHI team.
What is the cost of the program?
For those with a primary appointment in the Medical School, the R01 Boot Camp is provided without charge – as long as the requirement for R01 (or equivalent) submission is met. In the event that it is not, Chairs are asked to provide $1500 toward supporting the Boot Camp program.
For any participant from another school or college, Chairs are asked to support a $3500 enrollment fee.
The supporting Chair letter is asked to acknowledge these financial requirements.