This session introduces participants to the array of extramural funding opportunities available through the National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Science Foundation (NSF), and Department of Defense (DoD), as well as some private associations (e.g., American Heart Association) and foundations (e.g., Gates Foundations). Resources available to the principal investigators will also be discussed.

A panel of faculty members who have received these awards will share personal strategies for success and offer practical guidance on navigating the application process. This session is especially valuable for early-career investigators or mid-career faculty seeking to launch new projects, bridge funding gaps, or prepare for external grant submission.

The mission of the Core Facilities is to support discovery and innovation at LSUHSC by delivering high-quality, standardized analytical approaches to reveal molecular mechanisms of disease and therapeutic responses. These analytical approaches should enable reliable, comparable data that strengthen collaboration and accelerate translational research.  

This foundational session provides a practical roadmap for investigators new to the process of preparing peer-reviewed grant applications. Topics include identifying appropriate funding mechanisms (NIH, NSF, foundations), understanding key proposal components, and managing institutional procedures such as budget development and routing. Participants will leave with a framework for approaching their first submission or improving future proposals. Especially useful for junior faculty, fellows, and postdocs entering the world of grant writing.

Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs provide non-dilutive seed funding to help U.S. startups and small businesses develop innovative, high-risk technologies and successfully transition them to the commercial marketplace. These congressionally mandated programs are often called "America's Seed Fund" and are coordinated by the small business administration alongside 11 participating federal agencies. The core purpose is to stimulate innovation, commercialization, and retaining equity.

Often considered the most important page of an NIH grant application, the Specific Aims page requires clarity, focus, and persuasive framing. This interactive session invites participants to submit a draft Aims page in advance for peer and faculty review. During the session, presenters will summarize their aims and receive structured feedback on the hypothesis, scope, innovation, and experimental direction. This is a hands-on opportunity to refine a draft toward submission-quality, particularly helpful for those with upcoming NIH deadlines.

The Research Strategy forms the core of a grant application and must convincingly articulate the rationale, innovation, and approach of the project. This session will guide investigators in writing this section in alignment with NIH criteria. Topics include hypothesis generation, experimental design, consideration of rigor and reproducibility, and inclusion of human subjects or animal models. Participants will learn to structure their ideas effectively while addressing review expectations.

A strong application requires more than good science—it must include accurate and persuasive support documents. This session demystifies the NIH biosketch format, walks through common budgeting pitfalls, and outlines how to write an effective justification that aligns with project aims. The presenters will also cover institutional procedures for budget review, Kuali routing, and working with Sponsored Projects staff.

This workshop introduces investigators to the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) and the requirements for obtaining approval to work with recombinant DNA, infectious agents, and other biohazards. The session will cover risk classification, biosafety protocols, lab registration, and common submission errors.

For clinical and translational researchers, obtaining IRB approval is a critical early step. This session will provide practical instruction on preparing a compliant and effective IRB submission. Topics include study design considerations for human subjects, informed consent, common reviewer comments, and using the IRB submission portal.

Career Development Awards (K-series, CDAs) are critical mechanisms for transitioning to research independence. This session will provide an overview of K award structure, eligibility criteria, mentor selection, and required components such as career development plans, training goals, and letters of support. Recent awardees will offer tips and personal lessons.

TBA