169 Removing roadblocks to training: Reimagining resources to support career development grant writing

Abstract

Objectives/Goals: In this project, we set out to supplement our existing grant writing workshops with targeted, learner-centered, multimodal training. This method will assist us in moving toward a more equitable training landscape, reaching a wider variety of learners, by freely disseminating these resources. Methods/Study Population: To increase access and impact of training materials for our career development grant writing workshops, we restructured our pre-workshop training videos. We culled expert advice from lengthy recorded lectures into brief (less than 5 minute) how-to videos that target instruction to writing specific sections of an NIH K grant. We then coupled these how-to videos with easy-to-navigate, open access online courses that further illustrate best practices for writing key sections of NIH K grants. These resources were given to registered workshop attendees and made available through a public Canvas course, the Diamond portal, MICHR website, and U-M Innovation Partnerships to disseminate the materials through multiple channels. Results/Anticipated Results: Four online courses and complementary videos were developed over six months, each focusing on a specific section of the NIH K grant proposal. These resources provide targeted instruction for writing the Specific Aims, Candidate Background, Career Development Plan, Career Goals and Objectives, and Mentor Letter. Learners accessed all four of the online courses. Released in January 2024, we continue to gather data on whether learners believe their knowledge about writing successful K grants has increased after using the resources, if they believe the courses have prepared them to write the section of the grant covered, and whether learners would recommend the courses. We will analyze these results to better understand how learners are using and responding to these new resources. Discussion/Significance of Impact: These how-to videos and online courses provide targeted, learner-centered training and fill an important gap by meeting learners where they are and extending the impact of our training beyond our institution. Widely disseminating online interactive training resources is a model we are applying beyond grant writing to other projects.