7 - Preliminary Studies

Abstract

Section c of the research plan of an application for an R01 Individual Research Grant is called preliminary studies if the proposal is new and preliminary studies/progress report if the proposal is a competing renewal or an application for supplemental funds. This chapter focuses on preliminary studies and is relevant to new and competing renewal proposals. Main purpose is to persuade the reviewers that the principal investigator (PI) is expert in all of the procedures proposed for which there is direct responsibility. The second purpose is to establish beyond a reasonable doubt that the proposed studies are feasible in the hands of the PI. This includes presentation of data in support of any component of a theoretical model for which published data may be lacking, and pilot data that at least suggest that the PI's hypothesis will be supported. A third important purpose is to show that a proposed collaboration actually functions to produce usable data. Preliminary section should be limited to no more than 8 pages. The distribution of pages within the research plan is not fixed, but the total number of pages is limited to 25 pages. This includes all pages of illustrations submitted as part of the preliminary studies. It is not necessary to establish proof of expertise in areas where the credentials of the PI will not be questioned. The preliminary studies section should be written after the methods section is finished. The proposed methods should be carefully scrutinized and every proposed procedure listed.