Program: AAI volunteers strive to match early-career investigator applicants with PIs outside of their own institutions having experience in the proposed areas of research. Participation in the program is strictly voluntary and is not intended to supplant internal mentoring programs at applicants' own institutions.
Currently, only R01 and R15 grant proposals are reviewed through the GRIP program. To initiate the process, the early-career PI submits a CV and the grant's "Specific Aims" page to the GRIP coordinator (an AAI member who has been appointed by the AAI Council) who, with the assistance of a small subcommittee, will match the topic of the proposal with the research experience of an established PI. The GRIP coordinator will inquire about potential conflicts of interest and will resolve any concerns prior to completing the match. Once the match is complete, the two PIs will communicate either by phone or email to establish an understanding on the proposal, the potential study sections that may review the proposal, and the time frame for the early-career PI to send the proposal to the established PI. Early-career PIs may submit new grant proposals or proposals that have been previously reviewed at an NIH study section (including triaged grants). Matches are made as quickly as possible to allow participants to meet impending NIH grant deadlines, but requests should be received no later than 8 weeks prior to a grant deadline.
Early-career PIs must be aware that their proposal may not be selected for the GRIP program; reasons for this may include a shortage of established PIs or a lack of established PIs with appropriate expertise. The decision of the GRIP coordinator with respect to accepting an early-career PI's proposal is final. Early-career PIs should also understand that this referral program offers guidance only. Neither AAI nor the established PI is responsible in any way for a proposal's ultimate funding or lack thereof.