Building Up the Nerve Trailer

Building Up the Nerve is a podcast for neuroscience trainees that takes you through the life cycle of a grant from idea to award at the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. We know that applying for NIH funding can be daunting, but we’re here to help—it’s our job! Be sure to tune in to the entire season to learn about the NINDS grant cycle from the people who make it happen!

https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Funding/Training-Career-Development

Transcript: http://ninds.buzzsprout.com/558574/1799503-building-up-the-nerve-trailer

Episode Transcript

Ned Talley (00:00):
Well, first you need to recognize that you're in
really good company.
[Laughter] So you know,typically it's around 20% of
applications that get funded andyou're talking about 20%, the
other 80% are from people whoare outstanding.
So, it's not a situation where arejection in this case doesn't

(00:23):
mean that your career is off tothe wrong track.
All it means is you didn't hitthe goal this time.

Lauren Ullrich (00:40):
On this podcast, "Building Up The Nerve," we are
going to talk to a bunch ofdifferent people throughout the
Institute, from programdirectors, health program
specialists, grant managementspecialists, the director of the
Institute, deputydirector--basically, everybody
that is involved in the grantsprocess at NINDS we're going to
hear from them.

Marguerite M. (01:01):
And we want to help bring NINDS closer to
researchers, and especiallytrainees, and let you know that
we're here to help you and wewant you to succeed.
And we don't want there to beany surprises or secrets about
this whole process.
This should be something thatmaybe not fun, but is certainly

(01:21):
a little less daunting whenyou're putting in your
application.
And that's why we've titled itBuilding Up the Nerve.
We want to empower you to submitthe great work that you're doing
in your lab and to be funded.
I'm Marguerite Matthews, ahealth program specialist at
NINDS

Lauren Ullrich (01:37):
And I'm Lauren Ullrich, a scientific program
manager at NINDS, and we're thehosts of Building Up the Nerve,
a podcast for neurosciencetrainees that takes you through
the life cycle of a grant fromidea to award at NINDS with the
people who make it happen.
We know that applying for NIHfunding can be daunting, but
we're here to help.
It's our job.

Dave Owens (02:04):
We are here to answer questions.
That's a big part of our job andwe actually like to do it.

Ernie Lyons (02:08):
In my long experience.
In general, reviewers reallyaren't out to get anyone.
I think the important thing toremember is that study sections
are made up of scientists.
They're all humans and webasically ask them for their
opinions.
I think overall the processworks very well and it's
probably the best we have, butthat doesn't mean they're always

(02:30):
perfect.

Francesca B. (02:31):
My suggestion is not to give up, and the summary
statement is your best friendand you don't have to take it
personally.
I know it's hard, but just tryto detach you from that
application and see why thereviewers formed that opinion
and what can you do to make surethat doesn't happen again.

Marguerite M. (02:53):
Be sure to subscribe to the podcast on
Apple Podcast or your favoritepodcast app so you won't miss an
episode.