K-Mock Study Section
The UF+FSU CTSA is pleased to announce the Winter 2025 K Mock Study Section, a practice grant review session that simulates an official National Institutes of Health (NIH) study section for K awards, or career development grants. These sessions provide researchers with detailed feedback on their grant applications from experienced faculty before the official submission, helping them identify weaknesses and improve their chances of funding. Key features include a formal review by faculty, written feedback, and a discussion of the grant application’s strengths and weaknesses
How they work
- Grant submission: Researchers submit a nearly complete grant application to a mock study section for review.
- Review process: Faculty reviewers, often with experience in NIH study sections, evaluate the application and provide a score and written critique.
- Simulated study section: The mock study section meeting simulates a real review, where reviewers discuss the application’s strengths and weaknesses based on NIH guidelines.
- Feedback and revision: The applicant receives the written feedback and a recording of the discussion, which allows them to improve their application before submitting it to the actual NIH.
What is covered
- Grant components: The feedback covers all aspects of the application, including the research plan, career development plan, mentoring plan, and overall strategy.
- Common mistakes: Participants learn about common mistakes to avoid in grant proposals.
- Reviewer perspective: Applicants gain insight into how reviewers think and what makes a grant proposal stand out.
- Resubmission strategy: The process can help applicants perfect their resubmission strategy for future applications.
Who is it for
- Early-Stage Investigators: These sessions are particularly beneficial for trainees, postdoctoral fellows, and junior faculty who are applying for a K award or are preparing for a future NIH grant submission.
Timeline
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Letter of Intent Due | Monday, December 8, 2025 |
| Draft K Application Due | Friday, December 12, 2025 |
| Application Reviews | Tuesday, December 16, 2025 – Tuesday, January 6, 2026 |
| Study Section Presentations | Wednesday, January 7, – Friday, January 9, 2026 |
| Written Feedback Returned to Applicants | Monday, January 12, 2026 |
| Application Revisions | Tuesday, January 13, – Friday, February 6, 2026 |
| K Grant Applications due to NIH | Thursday, February 12, 2026 |
Required Materials for the Letter of Intent:
- Letter of Intent with a brief research overview (1–2 pages)
- NIH Biosketch for the candidate
- NIH Biosketch for the primary mentor
Letter of Intent Submission:
- No later than Friday, December 8, 2025 by COB
- UF and FSU Applicants submit via email to April Braxton at abraxton@ufl.edu