Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Describe the basic NIH funding mechanism.
• Identify the major components of an NIH grant.
• Develop a personal grantwriting plan with timeline for completion.
• Develop grantsmanship writing and preparation skills.
• Integrate information on grantwriting into a well-developed grant application.
• Prepare a draft application with all proposal elements determined.

None

Lecture and discussion.
Each class will include reading and homework. All sessions will take place remotely using Zoom on Wednesdays, 1:10 PM-3:00 PM, Jan. 7 to Mar. 11. The Final Project will be due on Friday, March 13.

All course materials and handouts will be posted on the course's online syllabus.

None required.

Recommended: The Grant Application Writers’ Workbook by S.W. Russell and D.C. Morrison. Seminars and Workshops, LLC. 2010.

Books may be purchased either through the publisher or a variety of commercial venues (e.g., Amazon.com).

Assignments during the course will include writing and revising sections of a training grant (e.g., Specific Aims, Significance, Innovation, Candidate Statement, Training Plan). Assignments will also include readings, conducting peer reviews of classmates’ writing, and communicating with sponsors and program officials. Student grades will be based on: Completion and quality of assignments (80%) Class participation (20%)

Only UCSF students (defined as individuals enrolled in UCSF degree or certificate programs) will receive academic credit for courses. Official transcripts are available to UCSF students only. A Certificate of Course Completion will be available upon request to individuals who are not UCSF students and satisfactorily pass all course requirements.

UCSF Graduate Division Policy on Disabilities

Health Data Science/Clinical Research (ATCR/MS) and PhD students use the Student Portal to add the course to their study list. 

Students taking individual courses:

Winter 2026 Course Fees
Winter 2026 Schedule

Apply By January 2nd