Research Support Core

Mission:

To assist Wake Forest University Health Sciences (WFUHS) faculty to obtain funding for research. We carry this out through:

1. Pre-award grant assistance and education
2. Manuscript editing and advice, a necessary component of successful research
3. A selective Mentoring Program to help junior faculty achieve their research goals
4. The Design and Analysis Unit, providing both pre-award and post-award services

The Core's pre-award services are free of charge to all WFUHS faculty. The DAU post-award services require fee-for-service arrangement (see below).

Pre-Award Grant Assistance: 

• Surveillance of funding sources
• Editing text; assembling other pertinent information (e.g., facilities infrastructure boilerplate, letters of support)
• Drafting budget and budget justification
• Advice on how to interpret and respond to critiques
• Assembly of a revised proposal
• Biostatistical assistance (see “Design and Analysis Unit” link below)

If a grant is being resubmitted, we can:

• Convene a "mini-study section" to help draft responses to critiques
• Assist with a revised application
• Locate other potential sources of funding

Manuscript Editing and Advice: 

• Advice on the best journals for your manuscript
• Editing text for clarity, content and journal style
• Drafting responses to reviewers

Mentoring Program: 

• An individualized team mentoring approach for junior faculty members
• Focused on how to become a successful, independent investigator
• Goal-driven, results-oriented model in a proven format

Mission:

To foster the career development of faculty who have a substantial commitment to research, with the goal of becoming an independent and/or team investigator.

Goals:

Assist individual faculty members in creating a viable individual development plan (IDP) that systematically steers him/her towards procuring research resources

Develop and enhance professional growth through continuous formal or informal training and service-oriented opportunities (e.g., grant writing assistance, manuscript editing and biostatistical consultation)

Encourage and sustain the development of a multidisciplinary network of colleagues with shared research interests

Aid in establishing roles for faculty that are relevant to the research mission, while providing support in meeting institutional requirements (e.g., expectations for promotion, service)

Design and Analysis Unit (DAU):

The DAU is designed for researchers without established biostatistical collaborations, or to provide an additional avenue for obtaining statistical support during busy times or for short-term projects.

Pre-award work could include:

• Assistance with hypothesis development
• Choice of statistical methods
• Sample size estimation
• Writing the statistical sections of applications

These tasks are performed at no charge for WFUHS faculty.

Post-award work could include:

• Data entry and management
• Data analysis and interpretation
• Preparation of results for publication and presentation

These tasks would support small projects, or those for which a sustained collaborative relationship is not required. These are fee-for-service arrangements.

We ask that you request assistance at least 60 days before submission.
For questions, visit our FAQ page:

phs.wfubmc.edu/docs/dbs/dau_faqs.pdf

How To Start:

First, complete the electronic RSC Request for Assistance Form.

Second, a Core member will contact you to discuss your needs and how the RSC can best assist you.

Note: We are busiest before the standard NIH deadlines. Our resources are limited, so contact us well before your next grant deadline.

If you have questions or concerns feel free to e-mail the Research Support Core at rscore@wfubmc.edu.