NIH Writing Groups

Writing a strong application for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Research Project Grant (R01) requires dedicated, careful thought and time for writing. PIs often struggle to carve out dedicated grant writing time in a schedule already full of teaching, research, service and other scholarly activities. Being part of a peer writing group, which meets at a regularly scheduled time for the dedicated purpose of writing, can offer the extra push and accountability PIs need to help their applications materialize.  

To support principal investigators as they pioneer revolutionary, comprehensive research, OVPR Research Development has partnered with the Population Research Center (PRC) to offer R01 Writing Groups. 

Because early-career and new-to-NIH PIs may find writing an R01 to be particularly daunting, the R01 Writing Groups Program offers additional support designed around the needs of “pre-R01” PIs. Throughout the academic year, the groups will offer R01 skill-building events and component-specific resources. Critically, they will facilitate specific feedback from NIH-experienced UT PIs at key points in the writing process to ensure participants receive institute-specific expert guidance.  

Details

The R01 Writing Groups Program is centered around 4-6 person writing groups, matched according to shared research interests and availability. Writing Groups will meet regularly throughout the academic year to make progress on their R01 applications (minimum of 1.5 hours, every other week). Groups will be self-directed, taking advantage of sample agendas and OVPR-provided meeting spaces to develop a group that meets all members’ needs.

Additionally, participants will have access to:

• R01 skill-building events (e.g., workshops, Q&As)
• A curated library of R01 resources and guides
• Opportunities for feedback on drafts from NIH-experienced UT PIs (once per semester)

Eligibility  

• Must be a UT Principal Investigator
• Must be working on an NIH R01 application (for any deadline through November 2024)
• Must commit to meeting with your writing group for a minimum of 1.5 hours every other week throughout the academic year
• Participation is capped at 40 participants. If interest exceeds this limit, preference will be given to PIs who have not yet secured R01 funding, regardless of career stage or history of R01 submissions

Registration

R01 Writing Groups are currently closed. Writing Group eligibility begins over the summer, between semesters.