Beginning scientists face a variety of challenges in launching their careers. Good research skills are only one part of the formula for success. They have to hire and lead a research team, efficiently manage a lab, find grant support, publish, and mentor. The publications and links on this Web site can help new investigators "make the right moves" as they launch their careers and assist those who take on the important task of providing early-career researchers with scientific management training.

This publication provides a general description of how a grant is awarded and administered. Although the discussion relates to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), the grants process is similar within the other National Institutes of Health (NIH) awarding components.

To help achieve its mission of promoting health and quality of life, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) [www.cdc.gov] provides postgraduate training and service programs for health scientists of diverse educational backgrounds and other funding through its Procurement and Grants Office (PGO) [www.cdc.gov/about/funding.htm]

The Department of Defense’s [http://cdmrp.army.mil] Office of the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP) manages Congressional Special Interest Medical Research Programs (CSI) in specified areas. Current programs include the Prostate Cancer Research Program and Minority and Underserved Populations Program. Look for annual program announcement(s) as well as for current funding for postdoctoral candidates, idea grants and clinical trials on their web site.

• VA Merit Award: Must have 5/8ths VA appointment—awards three to five years
• Research Career Development Award: 5/8ths appointment not required, provides support for biomedical, clinical, rehabilitation, and health services research. Goal is to attract new investigators to VA system.
• Details available at www.research.va.gov

A policy directive from the Office of Federal Financial Management required that all Federal agencies post grant opportunities on line as of November 7, 2003. www.Grants.gov allows users to electronically find and apply for competitive grant opportunities from all Federal grant-making agencies. The "Resources" section also provides access to useful grants-related information and links.

The National Institute of Diabetes & Digestive & Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) [www.niddk.nih.gov] funds urologic research in a number of areas; including pediatric urology, sexual dysfunction, prostate and bladder research, and the genitourinary effects of diabetes mellitus, spinal-cord injury and multiple sclerosis. The NIDDK Training and Careers Programs offer research training and career development awards in the clinical and basic sciences for predoctoral and postdoctoral training and career development in the broad areas of research supported by NIDDK. Of particular program interest are training and development of underrepresented minority investigators for retention in academic research and the training of future independent researchers. Visit this site for funding and research ppportunities [www.niddk.nih.gov/fund/fund.htm].

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) [www.nih.gov] is the principal health research agency of the federal government. It is a component of the Department of Health and Human Services and provides funds to organizations outside the NIH to accomplish program goals—grants, cooperative agreements and contracts. The NIH awards research grants for terms ranging from one to five years and make up the largest category of funding provided by the NIH.

The National Institute on Aging (NIA) [www.nia.nih.gov] supports studies on the mechanisms of aging, the processes of aging, aging and the nervous system and aging in relation to health and disease. The NIA supports four extramural research programs [www.nia.nih.gov/ResearchInformation]: Biology of Aging, Behavioral and Social Research, Neuroscience and Neuropsychology of Aging, and Geriatrics and Clinical Gerontology.

Hundreds of millions of dollars in research funding is also available through private and non-profit organizations. The research grant programs at these organizations support the efforts of both established and young investigators, and sometimes target research where funding may not be available from “traditional” sources.

Writing grant proposals is a complicated and time-consuming process. Successful grant writing involves the coordination of several activities, including planning, searching for data and resources, writing and packaging a proposal, submitting a proposal to a funder, and follow-up. Here are some helpful tools to assist biomedical investigators, especially new ones, plan, write and apply for funding opportunities.

The AUA Foundation is always exploring potential research funding mechanisms, including travel awards to key urologic meetings. As these opportunities arise, additional information will be posted here and published in our electronic research newsletter, EUREKA! (Expanding Urology Research, Education, Knowledge And Funding!). Click here to subscribe to EUREKA!.