Research Tips

Bookmark PeDRA’s new website and check back often.  The new site features updates on every PeDRA Study, funding opportunities, educational content, resources for patient engagement, the new Research Toolkit, and much more. 

Take advantage of online courses to develop your research skill set.  As a place to start, consider this three-part online course from Nature on how to collaborate effectively in research.

Have you ever thought about joining social media? Establishing yourself on social media is a great way to stay connected with fellow investigators, up-to-date on the latest research, and to disseminate results. 

Don’t forget to “follow”, “like”, and “connect” with PeDRA on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn! 

Don’t be discouraged if you have been rejected from a recent grant application! Take the opportunity to connect with program officers, revise based on reviewer feedback, and add new data. Acceptance rates for resubmission are often higher than those of an original submission.

Bring your proposals to Chicago this November to share with your mentors and colleagues and get ready to reapply!

When preparing a grant application DO sweat the small stuff.  Strictly follow formatting guidelines, pay careful attention to the budget, and make sure the project is realistic.  To make sure you’re on the mark, prepare a draft at least one month before the deadline to give you time to get feedback from colleagues, mentors, and program officers before submitting.   

Before applying for a research grant, get to know the organization that you’re applying to, the expectations for the research proposal, and the people running the program. Exploring previously funded projects and visiting PeDRA’s Resources for Researchers page are great places to start.  

Keep your Good Clinical Practice (GCP) training up to date! GCP training is often required for investigators and staff conducting clinical research. It’s available from many sources including NIH and CITI and needs to be renewed regularly. Questions? Email us!    

When embarking on a new study, consider your target journal and audience early. This can help with study design and anticipated outcomes. Explore online resources for a list of journal impact factors and learn more about selecting a journal.