Research Support & Development Biostatistical Resources Grant Support & Review Services NIH K and F Submissions Guide Training Grant Support NIH Resubmission Program NIH Resources NIH Boot Camp Chalk Talks Research Roadmap Frequently Asked Questions Physician Scientist Resources Guidance for Proposal Submissions Grant Incentive Programs and Pilot Awards Researcher Pipeline NIH Boot Camp Chalk Talks Home Research Office of Research Research > NIH Boot Camp Chalk Talks Purpose The purpose of the Chalk Talk is to obtain critical feedback from experienced researchers to help shape the aims of your R01 proposal. In some cases, mentees may have different objectives; please modify the suggestions below to accommodate your needs. For example, if you want attendees to review your plans to resubmit, send the NIH summary sheet to the attendees in advance of the Chalk Talk. Parameters One hour No PPT slides Have a chalkboard (dry board) available to write your aims Revise on the board as suggestions are made Be sure your Internal Subject Matter Expert (ISME) is present to help capture the main points of the discussion. Before the Chalk Talk Send copies of Specific Aims and hypotheses to attendees Inform attendees of logistics, e.g., location, time, duration, plan to serve pizza, brown bag, etc. Arrive early and write your aims on the board. If you have associated hypotheses, list them also. A simple model to describe your aims may be helpful. Invite a statistician if applicable to your study During the Chalk Talk Introduction: Express gratitude for the attendees’ interest and feedback. Ask that when the discussion begins, only one person speaks at a time so that you can benefit from all input. Present (verbally describe): the bigger picture – significance and rationale of your planned research if you feel it is necessary, distribute a sheet with simple graphs to explain your preliminary data; otherwise refer to data in general, e.g., “…this is supported by data from our pilot tests.” a sentence that states your project's long-range goals what institute you will apply to and what study section will review Present: aims/central hypothesis that are written on the chalkboard Present: planned techniques and approaches you will use to achieve aims Present: access to collaborators and necessary resources Revise on board as needed Discussion Points Ask your attendees their perceptions of: Important problem? Significant field? Potential impact? (i.e., so what?) Do aims adequately test your hypothesis/hypotheses? Feasible? Focused? Endpoints defined? Some degree of uniqueness/innovation? Can aims be accomplished with the resources and time allotted? Tips Practice talking, writing on a chalkboard Expect to be interrupted and to explain – questions are good! Don’t get defensive, try to get the most expertise out of every attendee It is okay to think for a few moments before answering a question Keep the discussion focused on your needs If a particular aim/approach is noted as problematic by one person, encourage others also to address the same issue from their perspective. There may be differences of opinion that will be helpful to hear about. You may have several participants speaking at the same time; your ISME may be able to help control talkovers.