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skills/research-grants/assets/budget_justification_template.md

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+# Budget Justification Template
+
+## Overview
+
+A budget justification provides detailed explanation for each budget line item, demonstrating that costs are necessary, reasonable, and directly related to the proposed research. The justification should be detailed enough for reviewers to understand and assess cost reasonableness.
+
+**Key Principles**:
+- Justify EVERY line item in terms of the research plan
+- Explain calculations clearly
+- Show that costs are necessary for the proposed work
+- Demonstrate cost-effectiveness where possible
+- Follow agency-specific formats and requirements
+
+---
+
+## Personnel (Salaries and Wages)
+
+### Senior Personnel
+
+**Principal Investigator: [Name, Title]**
+
+**Effort**: [X] calendar months ([Y]% FTE) per year
+
+**Justification**: 
+The PI will provide overall scientific leadership, supervise all research activities, mentor graduate students and postdocs, analyze data, prepare manuscripts, and report to the funding agency. The PI will be responsible for [specific activities related to aims]. [X] months of effort is necessary given the scope of the project and the PI's other commitments ([describe other activities briefly]).
+
+**Calculation**: 
+- Year 1: [Annual salary] × [% effort] × [inflation factor if applicable] = $[amount]
+- Years 2-5: [include escalation if applicable]
+
+**Example**:
+*Principal Investigator: Dr. Jane Smith, Associate Professor of Biology*
+
+*Effort*: 2.5 calendar months (21% FTE) per year
+
+*Justification*: Dr. Smith will provide overall project leadership including: (1) supervising all experimental work and data analysis for Aims 1-3, (2) weekly mentoring meetings with 3 graduate students and 2 postdocs, (3) coordinating with collaborators at partner institutions, (4) analyzing multi-omics datasets and interpreting results, (5) preparing manuscripts and presenting at conferences, and (6) managing budget and reporting to NIH. 2.5 months effort is necessary for a project of this scope involving multiple aims, techniques, and personnel. Dr. Smith's remaining effort supports teaching (3 months), other research projects (4 months), and administrative duties (2.5 months).
+
+*Calculation*: 
+- Year 1: $120,000 × 0.2083 = $25,000
+- Years 2-5: 3% annual increase
+
+---
+
+**Co-Investigator: [Name, Title]**
+
+**Effort**: [X] calendar months ([Y]% FTE) per year
+
+**Justification**:
+Dr. [Name] will be responsible for [specific aspects of project related to their expertise]. This includes [specific activities for which aims]. Co-I effort is essential because [expertise/resources they provide that PI lacks].
+
+**Example**:
+*Co-Investigator: Dr. Robert Johnson, Professor of Bioinformatics*
+
+*Effort*: 1 calendar month (8.3% FTE) per year
+
+*Justification*: Dr. Johnson will lead the computational analysis for Aim 1, including multi-omics data integration, machine learning-based subtype classification, and biomarker identification. His expertise in unsupervised clustering methods and experience with similar T2D datasets is essential for this aim. Specific responsibilities include: (1) developing analysis pipelines, (2) training graduate student in bioinformatics methods, (3) interpreting computational results, and (4) co-authoring manuscripts. 
+
+*Calculation*: Year 1: $150,000 × 0.0833 = $12,500
+
+---
+
+### Postdoctoral Scholars
+
+**Postdoctoral Researcher (1.0 FTE)**
+
+**Justification**:
+One full-time postdoctoral researcher is essential to conduct [which experiments/aims]. The postdoc will be responsible for [specific technical activities], data analysis, and mentoring graduate students. Specific duties include: [list 4-6 key responsibilities tied to specific aims]. We will recruit a candidate with expertise in [required skills/background].
+
+**Calculation**:
+- Year 1: NIH NRSA stipend level Year 0-2 ($54,840) + fringe benefits (26%) = $69,099
+- Years 2-3: Adjusted for postdoc experience level
+- Years 4-5: Senior postdoc rate
+
+**Example**:
+*Postdoctoral Researcher (1.0 FTE)*
+
+*Justification*: One full-time postdoc is essential to execute the cellular and molecular experiments in Aims 2-3. The postdoc will: (1) generate and characterize patient-derived iPSC lines, (2) differentiate iPSCs into β-cells, hepatocytes, and adipocytes, (3) perform functional assays (insulin secretion, glucose uptake, cytokine profiling), (4) conduct proteomics sample preparation and analysis, (5) integrate cellular data with clinical outcomes, and (6) mentor graduate students in cell culture techniques. We will recruit a candidate with expertise in stem cell biology and diabetes research. The postdoc will have opportunity for career development through institutional K99/R00 preparation programs.
+
+*Calculation*:
+- Year 1: $54,840 (NIH Year 0) + $14,258 (26% fringe) = $69,098
+- Year 2: $56,784 (NIH Year 1) + $14,764 = $71,548
+- Year 3: $59,292 (NIH Year 2) + $15,416 = $74,708
+
+---
+
+### Graduate Students
+
+**Graduate Research Assistants ([Number] students)**
+
+**Justification**:
+[Number] graduate students are required to [specific roles and aims]. Each student will focus on [division of labor among students]. This project provides excellent training opportunities in [techniques/approaches], preparing students for careers in [field]. Students will be recruited from our [department/program] with preference for candidates from underrepresented groups through our partnerships with [specific programs].
+
+**Calculation**:
+- Stipend: $[amount]/student/year (following university RA rates)
+- Tuition: $[amount]/student/year  
+- Total per student: $[amount]
+- Number of students: [N]
+- Total: $[amount] per year
+
+**Example**:
+*Graduate Research Assistants (3 students)*
+
+*Justification*: Three PhD students are required to execute the experimental work across all three aims:
+- Student 1 will lead Aim 1 work on multi-omics profiling and subtype classification
+- Student 2 will conduct Aim 2 mechanistic studies using patient-derived cells  
+- Student 3 will perform Aim 3 treatment response analyses in cell models and humanized mice
+
+This project provides excellent interdisciplinary training in genomics, cell biology, and translational diabetes research. Students will present annually at the American Diabetes Association and co-author peer-reviewed publications. We will recruit students from our Biological Sciences PhD program, with priority recruitment from underrepresented groups through our IMSD program (NIH R25).
+
+*Calculation*:
+- Stipend: $32,000/student/year (12 months at university RA rate)
+- Tuition and fees: $18,000/student/year
+- Total per student: $50,000/year
+- 3 students × 5 years = $750,000 total
+(Note: In modular budget, include under Personnel narrative; in detailed budget, may be split between Personnel and Other)
+
+---
+
+### Research Staff
+
+**Research Technician ([Title], [% FTE])**
+
+**Justification**:
+A [full/part]-time research technician is necessary to [specific technical support]. The technician will [specific duties], allowing the PI and postdoc to focus on [higher-level activities]. Essential responsibilities include: [list key duties related to aims].
+
+**Calculation**:
+- Annual salary: $[amount] for [% FTE]
+- Fringe benefits ([%]): $[amount]
+- Total: $[amount]/year
+
+**Example**:
+*Research Technician (1.0 FTE)*
+
+*Justification*: A full-time research technician is necessary to provide technical support for high-throughput assays and maintain cell lines and mouse colonies. Specific responsibilities include: (1) maintaining iPSC, hepatocyte, and adipocyte cultures (>50 patient-derived lines), (2) performing routine insulin secretion, glucose uptake, and ELISA assays, (3) managing humanized mouse colony and performing metabolic phenotyping, (4) preparing samples for omics analysis, and (5) maintaining laboratory equipment and ordering supplies. The technician will enable the postdoc and graduate students to focus on experimental design, data analysis, and manuscript preparation.
+
+*Calculation*:
+- Year 1: $45,000 (base salary) + $11,700 (26% fringe) = $56,700
+- Years 2-5: 3% annual increase
+
+---
+
+## Fringe Benefits
+
+**Rate**: [X]% for [category of personnel]
+
+**Justification**:
+Fringe benefit rates are based on our institution's federally negotiated rates. Rates differ by personnel category:
+- Faculty: [X]%
+- Postdocs: [X]%  
+- Graduate students: [X]% (if applicable)
+- Staff: [X]%
+
+Rates include [what's covered: health insurance, retirement, life insurance, etc.].
+
+**Total Fringe**: $[amount] per year
+
+---
+
+## Equipment ($5,000 or more per unit)
+
+**[Equipment Item Name and Model]**
+
+**Cost**: $[amount]
+
+**Justification**:
+This equipment is essential for [which aims/experiments]. We currently do not have access to [this capability] at our institution. The [equipment] will be used to [specific applications in the project]. [Estimated usage: hours/week or % time on this project]. This equipment will support [how many students/researchers] and will remain useful for future projects in [area].
+
+**Example**:
+*BD FACSAria III Cell Sorter with 4-laser configuration*
+
+*Cost*: $425,000
+
+*Justification*: A high-speed cell sorter is essential for Aim 2 experiments requiring isolation of specific cell populations from patient-derived heterogeneous cultures (β-cells, hepatocytes, adipocytes) for downstream proteomics and functional analysis. Our current institutional sorter has a 6-month wait time and lacks the 4-laser capability needed for our 8-color panel. This sorter will be used 15 hours/week for this project and will support 3 graduate students and 1 postdoc. The equipment will be housed in the Department of Biology core facility and will be available to 15 other laboratories after this project, ensuring long-term institutional value. Equipment cost includes installation, training, and 5-year service contract.
+
+---
+
+## Travel
+
+### Domestic Travel
+
+**Purpose**: [Conference/meeting/collaboration]
+
+**Justification**:
+Travel is requested for [purpose: presenting results, collaboration, training]. The PI and/or [personnel] will attend [specific conferences/meetings] annually to disseminate findings and network with the research community. These meetings are essential for [specific benefits: feedback, collaborations, recruiting, staying current].
+
+**Calculation**:
+- [Conference name]: $[airfare] + $[hotel, X nights] + $[meals/incidentals] + $[registration] = $[total]
+- Number of trips/year: [N]
+- Total domestic travel: $[amount]/year
+
+**Example**:
+*Domestic Travel*
+
+*Justification*: Annual travel for the PI, postdoc, and 2 graduate students to present research findings and network with the diabetes research community. 
+
+Trips include:
+1. American Diabetes Association Scientific Sessions (annual, June): Premier venue for diabetes research dissemination. PI and 2 trainees will present posters/talks, attend workshops, and meet with collaborators. ($2,500/person × 3 people = $7,500)
+
+2. Endocrine Society Annual Meeting (alternate years): Important for reaching clinical endocrinology audience. PI will present translational findings. ($2,200)
+
+3. Cold Spring Harbor Metabolism & Disease Conference (Year 3): Specialized meeting for in-depth scientific exchange. Postdoc will present mechanistic findings. ($1,800)
+
+*Total*: $9,700/year (Years 1-2, 4-5); $11,500/year (Year 3)
+
+### Foreign Travel
+
+**Purpose**: [International conference/collaboration]
+
+**Justification**:
+[If requesting foreign travel, provide strong justification for why international meeting is necessary]
+
+**Example**:
+*Foreign Travel*
+
+*Justification*: PI will attend the International Diabetes Federation Congress (every 2 years, Years 2 and 4) to present findings to international clinical and research audience. This is the largest global diabetes meeting and essential for international collaborations and dissemination. Our data on molecular subtypes has direct relevance for diverse patient populations globally.
+
+*Cost*: $4,500/trip (airfare $1,500, hotel 4 nights $1,200, meals $800, registration $1,000)
+*Total*: $4,500 (Years 2, 4)
+
+---
+
+## Materials and Supplies
+
+### [Category]
+
+**Justification**:
+[Description of supplies needed and why]
+
+**Calculation**:
+[Itemize major categories with estimated costs]
+
+**Total**: $[amount]/year
+
+**Example**:
+*Laboratory Supplies and Reagents*
+
+*Justification*: Supplies are required for cell culture, molecular biology, and metabolic assays across all three aims.
+
+*Breakdown*:
+- Cell culture reagents (media, growth factors, serum): $15,000/year
+  - Maintaining >50 patient-derived iPSC, hepatocyte, and adipocyte lines
+  - Differentiation protocols requiring specialized media
+  
+- Molecular biology supplies (RNA extraction, qPCR, Western blotting): $12,000/year
+  - Processing samples from cell assays and mouse tissues
+  - Validation experiments for omics findings
+
+- Metabolomics and proteomics sample prep: $18,000/year
+  - Sample processing for Aim 1 multi-omics profiling (n=2,000 patients)
+  - Sample preparation for mass spectrometry (Aims 1-2)
+
+- Mouse metabolic phenotyping supplies: $10,000/year
+  - Glucose tolerance tests, insulin tolerance tests
+  - Blood collection and plasma analysis
+  - Tissue harvest and processing
+
+- Immunoassays and ELISAs: $8,000/year  
+  - Insulin, c-peptide, GLP-1, cytokine measurements
+  - ~500 assays/year across aims
+
+- General lab supplies (pipette tips, tubes, glassware): $7,000/year
+
+*Total*: $70,000/year
+
+---
+
+## Participant/Trainee Support Costs
+
+(For undergraduate researchers, workshop participants, etc.)
+
+**Stipends**: $[amount]
+
+**Justification**:
+[Number] undergraduate researchers will participate in summer research for 10 weeks annually. Stipends of $[amount] per student provide support for [what stipend covers].
+
+**Travel**: $[amount]
+
+**Justification**:
+Travel support for undergraduates to present research at [conference].
+
+**Subsistence**: $[amount] (if applicable)
+
+**Other**: $[amount]
+
+**Total**: $[amount]/year
+
+**Example**:
+*Undergraduate Summer Research Program*
+
+*Stipends*: 10 undergraduates × $5,000 = $50,000/year
+
+*Justification*: Ten undergraduates will participate in 10-week summer research experiences, working with graduate students on specific sub-projects. Students will be recruited from partner HBCUs (50% of participants) and our institution's McNair Scholars program. Stipends ($5,000 per student for 10 weeks) provide support during full-time research commitment.
+
+*Travel*: 10 students × $1,500 = $15,000/year
+
+*Justification*: Support for undergraduates to present research at the Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS). This is a critical professional development opportunity, particularly for students from underrepresented groups.
+
+*Total Participant Support*: $65,000/year
+
+(Note: Participant support costs are not subject to indirect costs)
+
+---
+
+## Other Direct Costs
+
+### Publication Costs
+
+**Cost**: $[amount]/year
+
+**Justification**:
+We anticipate publishing [N] peer-reviewed articles over the 5-year project period in open-access journals to ensure broad dissemination. Average open-access fees are approximately $[amount] per article. Funds will cover article processing charges for publications resulting from this work.
+
+**Example**:
+*Publication Costs*: $12,000/year
+
+*Justification*: We anticipate 2 publications per year (10 total over 5 years) in high-impact open-access journals. Average article processing charges are $3,000-$4,000 (e.g., Nature Communications, Cell Reports, Diabetes). We budget $6,000/year to ensure broad, immediate dissemination of findings as required by NIH public access policy. Additional publications in traditional subscription journals will not require fees.
+
+### Consultant Services
+
+**[Consultant Name/Role]**: $[amount]
+
+**Justification**:
+Dr. [Name] will serve as consultant for [specific expertise needed]. [He/She] will [specific consulting activities], requiring approximately [X] days per year at a rate of $[amount]/day. This expertise is essential for [why you can't do this yourself] and will ensure [benefit to project].
+
+**Example**:
+*Statistical Consultant*: $15,000/year
+
+*Justification*: Dr. Sarah Chen, Professor of Biostatistics at Johns Hopkins, will provide statistical consulting for machine learning-based subtype classification (Aim 1) and clinical outcome analysis (Aim 3). She will advise on study design, sample size calculations, analysis approaches, and interpretation of complex multi-omics datasets. Her expertise in diabetes clinical trials and unsupervised clustering is essential for rigorous analysis. Services will require approximately 10 days/year at $1,500/day (standard consulting rate). Dr. Chen has agreed to this arrangement (see letter of commitment).
+
+### Other
+
+List any other direct costs (subawards, animal costs, computing time, etc.)
+
+---
+
+## Consortium/Contractual Costs
+
+(For collaborating institutions)
+
+**[Institution Name] Subaward**
+
+**Total costs**: $[amount] per year
+
+**Justification**:
+[Collaborating institution] will perform [specific work related to which aims]. Dr. [PI name at institution] will lead these efforts. This collaboration is essential because [why this expertise/resource is needed and not available at your institution].
+
+**Work to be performed**:
+- [Task 1]
+- [Task 2]
+- [Task 3]
+
+Detailed budget and justification from [institution] are included as a subaward/consortium application.
+
+**Example**:
+*University of California San Diego Subaward*
+
+*Total costs*: $100,000/year
+
+*Justification*: UCSD will perform all mass spectrometry-based metabolomics and proteomics analyses for Aims 1-2. Dr. Michael Williams, Director of the UCSD Metabolomics Core, will lead these efforts. This collaboration is essential because our institution lacks the specialized mass spectrometry platforms (Orbitrap Fusion, QTOF) and expertise required for these analyses. UCSD has extensive experience with T2D metabolomics and proteomics, having processed >5,000 clinical samples.
+
+*Work to be performed*:
+- Sample processing and metabolite/protein extraction (Years 1-3)
+- LC-MS/MS analysis on Orbitrap Fusion and QTOF platforms
+- Data processing, quality control, and statistical analysis
+- Quarterly meetings to discuss results and plan analyses
+
+*Budget includes*: Personnel (50% technician, 10% Dr. Williams), supplies, and instrument time. Detailed subaward budget attached.
+
+*Note*: Consortium F&A limited to 8% of total costs per NIH policy.
+
+---
+
+## Indirect Costs (Facilities & Administrative)
+
+**Rate**: [X]% of Modified Total Direct Costs (MTDC)
+
+**MTDC Excludes**: Equipment, capital expenditures, charges for patient care, participant support costs, rental costs of off-site facilities, scholarships and fellowships, and the portion of each subaward in excess of $25,000.
+
+**Justification**:
+Indirect cost rate is based on our institution's federally negotiated rate agreement with [DHHS/agency], effective [dates]. This rate covers institutional costs for facilities (building depreciation, operations, maintenance) and administration (sponsored projects office, accounting, library, etc.) that support research.
+
+**Example**:
+*Facilities & Administrative Costs*: 57% of MTDC (on-campus rate)
+
+*Justification*: Our institution's federally negotiated F&A rate with DHHS is 57% for on-campus research, effective July 1, 2023 - June 30, 2027. This rate covers facilities costs (building depreciation, utilities, operations and maintenance) and administrative costs (sponsored projects administration, accounting, library, general administration). 
+
+*Calculation example (Year 1)*:
+- Total direct costs: $550,000
+- Less: Equipment ($425,000), participant support ($65,000), consortium F&A ($8,000)
+- MTDC base: $52,000
+- Indirect costs: $52,000 × 0.57 = $29,640
+
+---
+
+## Summary Budget Table
+
+| Category | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Year 4 | Year 5 | Total |
+|----------|--------|--------|--------|--------|--------|-------|
+| Personnel | $XXX | $XXX | $XXX | $XXX | $XXX | $XXX |
+| Fringe Benefits | $XXX | $XXX | $XXX | $XXX | $XXX | $XXX |
+| Equipment | $XXX | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $XXX |
+| Travel | $XXX | $XXX | $XXX | $XXX | $XXX | $XXX |
+| Materials & Supplies | $XXX | $XXX | $XXX | $XXX | $XXX | $XXX |
+| Other Direct Costs | $XXX | $XXX | $XXX | $XXX | $XXX | $XXX |
+| Participant Support | $XXX | $XXX | $XXX | $XXX | $XXX | $XXX |
+| Consortium/Subawards | $XXX | $XXX | $XXX | $XXX | $XXX | $XXX |
+| **Total Direct Costs** | $XXX | $XXX | $XXX | $XXX | $XXX | $XXX |
+| Indirect Costs (F&A) | $XXX | $XXX | $XXX | $XXX | $XXX | $XXX |
+| **TOTAL COSTS** | $XXX | $XXX | $XXX | $XXX | $XXX | $XXX |
+
+---
+
+## Tips for Strong Budget Justifications
+
+✅ **Do**:
+- Tie every cost directly to specific aims and activities
+- Provide detailed calculations showing your work
+- Explain why the amount is necessary and reasonable
+- Use institutional or national standards for rates
+- Show cost-effectiveness where possible
+- Include escalation (inflation) for out-years
+- Be specific about equipment models, conference names, etc.
+
+❌ **Don't**:
+- Use vague language ("miscellaneous supplies")
+- Forget to justify every line item
+- Over-budget for contingency
+- Include costs unrelated to the proposed work
+- Underestimate costs (creates problems if funded)
+- Forget agency-specific cost limitations (salary caps, F&A exclusions)
+
+## Agency-Specific Notes
+
+**NIH**: 
+- Salary cap applies (~$221,900 for 2024)
+- Modular budgets (≤$250K direct) require less detail
+- Participant support costs excluded from F&A
+
+**NSF**:
+- No salary cap
+- Generally 2 summer months maximum for 9-month faculty
+- Cost sharing not required (except specific programs)
+
+**DOE**:
+- Often requires detailed budgets by quarter
+- May require cost sharing
+- Equipment often requires special justification
+
+**DARPA**:
+- Detailed costs by phase and task
+- Often requires supporting cost data
+- May need rates approved (DCAA audit for industry)
+

skills/research-grants/assets/nih_specific_aims_template.md

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+# NIH Specific Aims Page Template
+
+**CRITICAL**: Exactly 1 page, 0.5-inch margins, 11-point font minimum
+
+---
+
+## Opening Paragraph: The Hook (3-5 sentences)
+
+[Establish the importance of your research area with compelling statistics or biological significance]
+
+**Template:**
+[Disease/Problem] affects [number] people annually and [consequence - mortality, morbidity, cost]. Despite [current treatments/knowledge], [major limitation or gap]. [Why this limitation matters for patients/science]. [Opportunity or need for new approaches].
+
+**Example:**
+Type 2 diabetes (T2D) affects 37 million Americans and costs $327 billion annually in healthcare expenditures. Despite available therapies, fewer than 50% of patients achieve glycemic control, and complications including cardiovascular disease, neuropathy, and kidney failure remain common. Existing treatments primarily target insulin resistance and β-cell function, yet fail to address the underlying molecular heterogeneity driving variable therapeutic responses. Identifying molecular subtypes of T2D and their corresponding treatment vulnerabilities represents a critical unmet need for precision medicine approaches.
+
+---
+
+## Second Paragraph: Gap and Rationale (4-6 sentences)
+
+[Define what's known, what's unknown, and why the gap matters]
+
+**Template:**
+Prior studies have established [current knowledge - 1-2 sentences]. However, [what remains unknown - the gap]. [Why current approaches are insufficient]. [Critical barrier to progress]. Understanding [the gap] is essential because [impact of filling the gap].
+
+**Example:**
+Prior studies have identified numerous genetic and environmental risk factors for T2D, and recent work has revealed metabolic heterogeneity among patients. However, molecular classification schemes have relied primarily on clinical phenotypes (age at onset, BMI, insulin levels) rather than underlying pathophysiology, limiting their therapeutic utility. Current approaches cannot predict which patients will respond to specific therapies, leading to inefficient trial-and-error treatment selection. Understanding the molecular drivers of T2D heterogeneity and their relationships to drug responses is essential for developing predictive biomarkers and targeted treatment strategies.
+
+---
+
+## Third Paragraph: Goal, Objective, Hypothesis, Rationale (5-7 sentences)
+
+**Long-term goal**: [Overarching research program direction]
+
+**Objective**: The objective of this application is to [specific goal of THIS grant - what you will accomplish].
+
+**Central hypothesis**: [Testable prediction that unifies your aims]. 
+
+This hypothesis is based on [rationale]: our preliminary data showing [key finding 1], [key finding 2], and [key finding 3] (Figures 1-2, Table 1). [Why this evidence supports the hypothesis].
+
+**Example:**
+Our long-term goal is to develop precision medicine approaches for type 2 diabetes based on molecular disease subtypes. The objective of this application is to define the molecular basis of T2D heterogeneity and identify subtype-specific therapeutic vulnerabilities. Our central hypothesis is that T2D comprises distinct molecular subtypes driven by different combinations of β-cell dysfunction, insulin resistance, and inflammation, and that these subtypes respond differentially to existing therapies. This hypothesis is based on our preliminary multi-omics profiling of 500 T2D patients revealing five distinct clusters with different genetic architectures, metabolic signatures, and clinical trajectories (Fig. 1). Retrospective analysis showed these subtypes had dramatically different responses to metformin and GLP-1 agonists (Fig. 2), and functional studies in islets confirmed subtype-specific mechanisms (Fig. 3). These findings suggest a molecular classification could guide treatment selection.
+
+---
+
+## Specific Aim 1: [Action Verb - What You Will Do]
+
+[Brief rationale: why this aim is important, background context - 1-2 sentences]
+
+**Working hypothesis**: [Testable prediction for this aim]
+
+**Approach**: We will (1) [first set of experiments/methods], (2) [second set], and (3) [third set]. [Key model systems, sample sizes, or technical approaches]. 
+
+**Expected outcomes**: We expect to [specific predictions], which will [how this advances knowledge or enables subsequent aims].
+
+**Example:**
+
+## Specific Aim 1: Define molecular subtypes of T2D through integrated multi-omics analysis
+
+Current clinical classification of T2D lacks molecular granularity. Our preliminary clustering analysis identified 5 subtypes, but requires validation and mechanistic characterization.
+
+**Working hypothesis**: T2D comprises at least five molecular subtypes with distinct genomic, transcriptomic, proteomic, and metabolomic signatures.
+
+**Approach**: We will (1) perform multi-omics profiling (genome, transcriptome, proteome, metabolome) on 2,000 T2D patients from three independent cohorts, (2) apply unsupervised clustering and machine learning to identify robust subtypes, and (3) validate subtypes in 1,000 independent patients. We will develop a streamlined classification algorithm using the minimal set of biomarkers sufficient for subtype assignment.
+
+**Expected outcomes**: We will define 5-7 molecular T2D subtypes, characterize their multi-omics signatures, and develop a clinically deployable classifier. This foundation will enable investigation of subtype-specific mechanisms (Aim 2) and treatment responses (Aim 3).
+
+---
+
+## Specific Aim 2: [Action Verb - What You Will Do]
+
+[Brief rationale and background - 1-2 sentences]
+
+**Working hypothesis**: [Testable prediction]
+
+**Approach**: [Detailed methods - 3-5 sentences outlining key experiments, models, techniques, and sample sizes]
+
+**Expected outcomes**: [Specific predictions and impact]
+
+**Example:**
+
+## Specific Aim 2: Elucidate pathophysiological mechanisms underlying each molecular subtype
+
+Molecular subtypes likely reflect distinct disease mechanisms, but causal pathways remain unknown.
+
+**Working hypothesis**: Each T2D subtype is driven by a distinct combination of β-cell dysfunction, hepatic insulin resistance, adipose tissue inflammation, and incretin deficiency.
+
+**Approach**: Using patient-derived iPSCs, primary adipocytes, and liver organoids from each subtype, we will (1) assess β-cell function (insulin secretion dynamics, ER stress, apoptosis), (2) measure insulin signaling in hepatocytes and adipocytes using phosphoproteomics and glucose uptake assays, (3) profile immune cell infiltration and inflammatory cytokines in adipose tissue, and (4) measure GLP-1 secretion and receptor expression. We will perform integrative analysis relating cellular phenotypes to clinical outcomes in n=100 patients per subtype.
+
+**Expected outcomes**: We will define the primary pathophysiological defects in each subtype and identify targetable vulnerabilities. This mechanistic understanding will inform selection of appropriate therapies in Aim 3.
+
+---
+
+## Specific Aim 3: [Action Verb - What You Will Do]
+
+[Brief rationale - 1-2 sentences]
+
+**Working hypothesis**: [Testable prediction]
+
+**Approach**: [Methods - 3-5 sentences]
+
+**Expected outcomes**: [Predictions and impact]
+
+**Example:**
+
+## Specific Aim 3: Determine subtype-specific responses to existing T2D therapies
+
+Current treatment algorithms do not account for molecular heterogeneity, leading to suboptimal outcomes.
+
+**Working hypothesis**: T2D subtypes exhibit differential responses to metformin, GLP-1 agonists, SGLT2 inhibitors, and insulin, based on their underlying pathophysiology.
+
+**Approach**: We will (1) conduct retrospective analysis of treatment responses in 5,000 patients with known subtypes from electronic health records, (2) validate findings in a prospective observational cohort (n=500, 18-month follow-up), and (3) test predicted drug sensitivities in patient-derived cell models and humanized mice (n=15 per subtype per drug). Primary outcomes are HbA1c reduction, with secondary outcomes including weight, hypoglycemia, and cardiovascular risk markers.
+
+**Expected outcomes**: We will identify optimal first-line therapies for each subtype and develop a treatment algorithm. Retrospective data suggest subtype-guided therapy could improve HbA1c control by 0.8-1.2% compared to standard care. Results will inform an investigator-initiated clinical trial (resources available through our Clinical Research Center).
+
+---
+
+## Closing Paragraph: Impact and Significance (3-5 sentences)
+
+[Summarize expected outcomes, how it advances the field, and positive impact]
+
+**Template:**
+The proposed research is significant because [why it matters]. Results will [specific advances - knowledge, tools, treatments]. We expect findings will [broader impact on field or health]. This work will [transformative potential or next steps].
+
+**Example:**
+The proposed research is significant because it will establish a molecular taxonomy of type 2 diabetes and identify subtype-specific treatment strategies, addressing a critical barrier to precision medicine in this prevalent disease. Results will provide mechanistic insights into T2D heterogeneity, immediately applicable biomarkers for patient stratification, and evidence-based treatment algorithms. We expect findings will enable personalized therapeutic approaches that substantially improve glycemic control and reduce complications for the 37 million Americans with T2D. This work will establish new paradigms for precision medicine in complex metabolic diseases and provide the foundation for a prospective subtype-guided treatment trial that could transform clinical practice.
+
+---
+
+## Formatting Checklist
+
+- [ ] Exactly 1 page (not 1.1, not 0.9)
+- [ ] 0.5-inch margins (all sides)
+- [ ] 11-point Arial/Helvetica or equivalent
+- [ ] Readable line spacing
+- [ ] Aim statements are bold or underlined
+- [ ] Gene names italicized (*TP53*)
+- [ ] Figures (if included) are legible
+- [ ] All abbreviations defined at first use
+
+## Content Checklist
+
+- [ ] Opens with compelling importance statement
+- [ ] Includes epidemiological data or significance metrics
+- [ ] Clearly defines the gap in knowledge
+- [ ] States long-term goal
+- [ ] States specific objective of THIS application
+- [ ] Presents testable central hypothesis (or research questions)
+- [ ] Mentions preliminary data supporting feasibility
+- [ ] Includes 2-4 specific aims
+- [ ] Each aim has: rationale, hypothesis, approach, expected outcomes
+- [ ] Aims are testable and achievable
+- [ ] Aims are independent but synergistic
+- [ ] Expected outcomes are specific
+- [ ] Closes with impact statement
+- [ ] Passes the "skim test" (aim statements tell the story)
+
+## Tips for Success
+
+1. **Write 10+ drafts** - This page is too important to rush
+2. **Get extensive feedback** - From colleagues, mentors, people outside your field
+3. **Read it aloud** - Check for flow and clarity
+4. **Study funded examples** - Look at successful aims pages in your field
+5. **Test on non-experts** - Can someone in a different field understand the importance?
+6. **Check every word** - Every sentence must earn its place on this precious page
+

skills/research-grants/assets/nsf_project_summary_template.md

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+# NSF Project Summary Template
+
+**IMPORTANT**: NSF requires three labeled sections in the project summary (max 1 page):
+1. Overview
+2. Intellectual Merit  
+3. Broader Impacts
+
+---
+
+## Overview
+
+[Write a paragraph suitable for public dissemination that explains:
+- The research question or problem
+- The approach or methods
+- Expected outcomes
+- Significance
+
+This should be accessible to a broad audience including non-scientists. Avoid jargon.]
+
+**Example:**
+This project investigates how coastal wetlands respond to rising sea levels and increased storm intensity caused by climate change. Using a combination of field observations, remote sensing, and computer modeling across 20 sites along the Atlantic coast, we will determine whether wetlands can migrate inland fast enough to keep pace with sea level rise. Results will inform coastal management policies and help predict the fate of critical ecosystems that protect shorelines and support fisheries. This work will train 5 graduate students and 10 undergraduates, with priority recruitment from underrepresented groups through partnerships with minority-serving institutions.
+
+---
+
+## Intellectual Merit
+
+[Address the question: What is the potential for the proposed activity to advance knowledge?
+
+Include:
+- Why the research is important scientifically
+- What knowledge gap it addresses
+- What will be learned
+- Novel aspects of the approach
+- How it advances the field]
+
+**Example:**
+This research addresses a critical gap in understanding coastal wetland resilience under accelerating climate change. Current models of wetland migration fail to account for biological constraints on vegetation establishment and feedbacks between sediment dynamics and plant growth. We will develop the first integrated model coupling hydrological, ecological, and geomorphological processes across multiple spatial scales. Our novel approach combines high-resolution LiDAR elevation data with experimental manipulations of sediment and salinity to parameterize vegetation response functions. Expected outcomes include quantitative predictions of wetland migration rates under different sea level rise scenarios, identification of landscape features that facilitate or impede migration, and new theory on ecosystem tipping points. This work will transform our ability to predict and manage coastal ecosystem responses to climate change.
+
+---
+
+## Broader Impacts
+
+[Address the question: What is the potential for the proposed activity to benefit society?
+
+Must address at least one of NSF's five broader impacts areas with specific, measurable activities:
+1. Advance discovery while promoting teaching, training, and learning
+2. Broaden participation of underrepresented groups
+3. Enhance infrastructure for research and education  
+4. Broadly disseminate to enhance scientific understanding
+5. Benefit society
+
+Be SPECIFIC with concrete activities, timelines, and assessment plans.]
+
+**Example:**
+This project will generate significant broader impacts through three integrated activities:
+
+**1. Education and Training**: We will train 5 PhD students and 10 undergraduates in interdisciplinary coastal science, emphasizing field methods, remote sensing, and quantitative modeling. Undergraduates will participate through summer research internships (10 weeks, $5,000 stipends) with mentorship from graduate students. We will recruit 50% of undergraduates from groups underrepresented in STEM through partnerships with 4 historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). Students will present results at the Annual Biogeographical Research Conference and co-author peer-reviewed publications.
+
+**2. Stakeholder Engagement and Policy Impact**: We will partner with 5 state coastal management agencies and The Nature Conservancy to translate research findings into management tools. Annual workshops will bring together 30 coastal managers, conservation practitioners, and researchers to co-develop decision-support frameworks. Results will inform state sea level rise adaptation plans, wetland restoration prioritization, and land acquisition strategies affecting 500,000 acres of coastal habitat.
+
+**3. Public Science Communication**: We will create a publicly accessible web-based visualization tool showing projected wetland changes under different climate scenarios for the entire Atlantic coast. The tool will be promoted through social media, state agency websites, and science museums, with expected reach of 50,000 users. We will also develop bilingual (English/Spanish) educational materials for K-12 teachers, piloted in 10 schools serving predominantly underrepresented students.
+
+Impact will be assessed through pre/post surveys of student participants, tracking of research participants into STEM careers, documentation of policy adoptions by management agencies, and analytics on public engagement platform usage.
+
+---
+
+## Formatting Requirements
+
+- **Page Limit**: 1 page maximum
+- **Margins**: 1 inch all sides
+- **Font**: 11-point or larger (Times Roman, Arial, Palatino, Computer Modern)
+- **Section Headers**: Must use exactly these three labels:
+  - Overview
+  - Intellectual Merit
+  - Broader Impacts
+- **Public Accessibility**: Overview section suitable for general public
+
+## Common Mistakes to Avoid
+
+❌ **Don't** omit any of the three required section headings
+❌ **Don't** make broader impacts vague ("will train students")
+❌ **Don't** use jargon in the Overview
+❌ **Don't** exceed 1 page
+❌ **Don't** forget to mention preliminary data or team qualifications
+❌ **Don't** make broader impacts an afterthought (they're equally important)
+
+✅ **Do** make all three sections substantive
+✅ **Do** be specific about broader impacts activities
+✅ **Do** write Overview for broad audience
+✅ **Do** convey enthusiasm and significance
+✅ **Do** proofread carefully (this is the first thing reviewers see)
+