A novel curricular framework to develop grant writing skills among MD-PhD students

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Physician-Scientist Training
• Grant Writing Skills

Background:

• Physician-scientists are crucial for biomedical innovation but are declining.
• Medical Scientist Training Programs (MSTPs) are key for physician-scientist development.
• Grant writing is an essential skill for physician-scientists.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe a curricular model for training predoctoral MSTP students in NIH F-series grant writing.
• To provide students with experience in grant conceptualization, writing, and evaluation.

Main Methods:

• Implementation of longitudinal courses focused on grant writing.
• Utilizing NIH F-series grants as a training model.
• Curricular development for MSTP students.

Main Results:

• Observed trending improvements in student funding success rates.
• Positive outcomes particularly for original grant submissions.
• Students reported perceived benefits from the training.

Conclusions:

• The developed curricular model effectively enhances grant writing skills for physician-scientist trainees.
• Improved funding success rates indicate the program's efficacy.
• The training contributes positively to the career development of future physician-scientists.