Dr. Tannaz Moin_ Specific Aims 2024.pptx

Dr. Tannaz Moin: How to Write the “Specific Aims” Section of a Grant Application.

1. How to write the "Specific Aims" section of a grant application Tannaz Moin , MD, MBA, MSHS UCLA CTSI R Workshop November 7, 2024 Special thanks to Drs. Catherine Sarkisian and O. Kenrik Duru

2. Specific Aims This is arguably the MOST important section of your application WRITE EARLY AND CIRCULATE This section must include everything that is important and exciting about your project – but without a lot of detail

3. One Page Document All Reviewers Will Read Format can vary but suggest: First paragraph: capture attention (HOOK/GAP/Critical Need) Second paragraph: logical next step = proposed solution Enumerated Aims Final Summary Paragraph Style: Non-technical. No figures allowed. Writing this section for ALL study section members

4. 1 st Paragraph : Capture Attention Hook/GAP/Critical Need (Setup Logical Next Step= Your Proposed Solution) HOOK = First 1-2 sentences What this proposal is about/why should we care Reference NIH/NAM reports Emphasize impact (how many millions effected etc.) What is known (~3-5 sentences) CONCISE Just enough to educate reviewer GAP in knowledge that your research will fill CRITICAL NEED = for your study is final sentence Need for hypothesis-driven knowledge/technique/treatment you will develop “ addresses an important problem or a critical barrier to progress in the field” (review criteria for significance) Should set up logical next step=your proposed solution to advance the field

5. Hook GAP Critical Need Example There is strong consensus . . that routine pre-op testing for cataract surgery is inappropriate. 1-4 . . .the American Academy of Ophthalmology even named reducing routine pre-op testing for cataract surgery as their #1 issue . . . . . 5 ( HOOK ) Yet despite these widely endorsed evidence-based recommendations, most seniors undergoing cataract surgery still receive unnecessary blood testing . . . . 6 ( GAP ) 7 . . . widespread reduction. . would save billions of dollars, reduce exposure to unnecessary and potentially harmful tests, and allow millions of seniors to spend more time enjoying life rather than wasting their time receiving inappropriate health care ( CRITICAL NEED )

6. 2 nd Paragraph : Logical Next Step = Proposed Solution/ Move into Aims Your team ’ s path towards this project Can mention prelim studies (do not need too much detail) Show that your team has the expertise to fill that critical gap you identified in first paragraph Include: Hypothesis and rationale Proposal objectives Team’s qualifications (if possible)

7. 2 nd Paragraph Example : Logical Next Step= Proposed Solution/Transition to Aims We hypothesize that an .. . . intervention . . will dramatically reduce pre-op testing for cataract surgery . . . . (LOGICAL NEXT STEP=Proposed Solution) We propose to test this hypothesis by conducting a pragmatic randomized trial, implementing our intervention at . . . (Move into Aims)

8. Enumerated Aims Keep the number of aims reasonable (3-5) Each Aim should consist of one sentence: be concise and concrete; clarity is the goal. Matter of style whether to state specific hypotheses for each Aim here Each Aim should: Describe the experimental approach Be clear how tests hypotheses Have a realistic time frame Have a definitive outcome Not be absolutely dependent on the success of another Aim

9. Our Specific Aims are: Example 1: Integrate a 2-pronged behavioral economics intervention into the UCLA Health EHR. The intervention will include two types of behavioral nudges to promote the desired reduction in low value care: Nudge #1: (3 lines of text) Nudge #2: (3 lines of text) Example 2: Randomize cataract surgery patients over a one-year period to one of 4 types of pre-operative visits (. . . ) and measure and compare the efficacy of each intervention using a 2x2 factorial design. Outcomes will be measured 12-months after the intervention start including: Primary outcome = (describe with detail) Secondary = patient, physician, and system-level outcomes Patients: (list a few) Physicians (list a few) System: (list a few)

10. Final “Paragraph”: Few sentences to get reviewer excited to read your proposal If Aims are an hourglass (wide = general/big pic, narrow = details), this is the “broad base” that supports your proposal Innovation: what this adds that is NEW Outcomes: if you have not stated in Aims Impact/PAYOFF: how this is going to help those that you mentioned in the first paragraph

11. Final Paragraph Example (Build Excitement) EHRs are in their infancy, and we as a scientific community are only beginning to learn how to use them as tools to promote desired care processes. This proposed pragmatic trial would break new ground in our understanding of how behavioral economics approaches can be used to tamp down on care that does not promote better patient outcomes. Reducing patient exposure to unnecessary care is central to improving patient outcomes and value…. With the close partnership between our UCLA Informatics co-Investigators and the EHR vendor, the low-cost intervention that we propose to implement and test would be easily available to all Epic-based health systems, with potential to dramatically reduce inappropriate pre-op testing across the nation.

12. Refer to Specific Aims Throughout Approach Section Restate aims and include hypotheses Conceptual Model figure very important Illustrate aims on the figure Consistent terminology is essential!! Measures, analysis, timeline . . .

13. Acknowledgment http:// www.biosciencewriters.com /NIH-Grant-Applications-The-Anatomy-of-a-Specific-Aims- Page.aspx