Course Description

The leap from being a PI on an R01 to writing a successful NIH center grant application can be daunting. This 2-chapter course will help you write a competitive submission for an NIH P Series, including how best to prepare for one and tips, tricks, and samples for writing a winning application. Dr. Bouvier draws from her long history of helping clients land center grants.

If you have questions about your specific application or circumstances, please come to one of our live sessions (bi-weekly live Q & A, First Fridays office hours, and Bootcamps) to discuss with Dr. Bouvier. These 1:1 live opportunities are included in your Membership. 

Updated: July 18, 2025

Course Learning Objectives

At the end of 2 hours 25 minutes of coursework, you will be able to: 

  1. Determine whether you are ready for an NIH Program Project grant (P-series center grant)
  2. Identify the optimal type of funding mechanism for your circumstances
  3. Prepare for the submission and employ winning strategies to lay the crucial groundwork
  4. Write a strong submission using tips and samples shared from Dr. Bouvier's deep experience with these funding mechanisms
  5. Acquire key information about what makes a strong NIH center grant application, and apply that information to develop better NIH grantsmanship at the P level.

Course Details

Who: For those preparing to write an application for an NIH P-series center grant, and the people who advise them.

When:  Available on demand

Cost: $1500

Summary of Course Sections

Chapter I. Preparing to Write an NIH P-Series Center Grant Application 
We will begin by discussing the Program Project grant applications — what they are, how they differ from the R series, when you know you are ready for one, and the different types of P mechanisms for different circumstances. We will focus on how to plan and strategize to write a center grant application, including how to heavily involve program staff. We will review the types of seed funding needed and from where, and what elements of the research to have in place before application.

Chapter II. Tips for Writing an NIH P-Series Center Grant Application
We examine the application writing for a Program Project grant application, which is far more complex than in the R series. We analyze each section and what to include beyond what is dictated in the instructions and scoring criteria. Emphasis is placed on how to convey synergy among the center elements and how to convey impact. Program staff have precious little funding for expensive center grants; Your application must be utterly compelling and persuasive.

Preview an Excerpt of This Course

Helping over 3000+ learners from all skill levels

Our students have grown their skills by taking our courses. Here are just a few of their stories.

Meg is excellent! We have had numerous successful NIH [large-format] grant applications together over the years! She also has helped our junior faculty across the finish line for R01 grant funding!! She is a valuable resource!

Darwin L. Conwell, MD, MSc, FACG
Chair, Department of Internal Medicine

University of Kentucky College of Medicine

Thank you, Meg. I know that your input and the numerous conversations helped to make the [large-format] proposal what is was. I will not forget two or three very in-depth conversations with you about changing the orientation of the project to make it consistent with the RFA. Those were fundamental discussions that, while causing a bit of agita at the time, ultimately allowed us to submit a very strong application.

Nancy E. Schoenberg PhD, Associate Vice President for Research, Research Professional Development Associate Director

University of Kentucky College of Medicine

Thank you for the expertise and rigor that you brought to this [large-format] application. It’s no wonder [my boss] is such a big fan of yours. I think our proposal is a strong one and I know that you played a significant role enhancing it. On behalf of the whole team, we are so grateful for your expert guidance and support! We are so lucky to work with you.

Nancy E. Schoenberg PhD, Associate Vice President for Research, Research Professional Development Associate Director

University of Kentucky College of Medicine

Sharing the attached [Notice of Award] with gratitude for all your help!

E. Anders Kolb, MD Hematology/Oncology

Nemours Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders

Course Outline

Chapter 1 Preparing to Write an NIH P-Series Center Grant Application

Lesson 1:  What are they? How differ from R?
Lesson 2:  When are we ready for a P?
Lesson 3:  Which P? Overview; P01, P20
Lesson 4:  Which P? P30, P50
Lesson 5:  Identify Optimal MPIs
Lesson 6:  Choose Project & Core Leads
Lesson 7:  Vet the idea with PO
Lesson 8:  Funding and support in advance
Lesson 9:  How is a P application reviewed?
Lesson 9:  Timeline
Lesson 10:  Checklist

Chapter 2 Tips for Writing an NIH P-Series Center Grant Application

Lesson 1:  Prepare to Write
Lesson 2:  Importance of Synergy
Lesson 3:  Meg’s General Writing Tips
Lesson 4:  Meg’s Formatting Tips
Lesson 5:  Research Projects
Lesson 6:  Scientific Cores
Lesson 7:  Administrative Core
Lesson 8:  Overall Section
Lesson 9:  Human Subjects Research
Lesson 9:  Scoring Criteria
Lesson 10:  Checklist

Content Disclaimer

Course content updated July 18, 2025. Content of this course was updated and re-recorded on this date. To our knowledge, the content was accurate at that time. We recommend that you search for changes that may have occurred to the content since the recording date.

Note that the course title may have been modified slightly since the recording.