RPG Retreats help investigators refine competitive research proposals

RPG Retreats help investigators refine competitive research proposals

The Office of Research Development (ORD) is offering new and established investigators the opportunity to participate in Research Project Grant Retreats (RPG Retreats). Investigators who want constructive criticism on a research proposal are encouraged to sign up as a presenter. Researchers at any phase of career development—from in-training to senior scientist—are encouraged to attend as audience participants. The opportunity to learn by example is significant.

ORD offers RPG Retreats quarterly. The next date is Saturday, September 15th, 2007. The session starts with breakfast at 8:15 AM and the program begins at 8:45 AM sharp in the Gazes Institute Conference Room (Rm. 125). The retreat concludes after lunch (the exact time depends on number of presenters). Presenters must plan to attend the full program, while audience members and other colleagues may be more flexible. Breakfast, lunch and breaks are provided. RPG Retreats do not involve any fees or charges, as they are part of the Office of Research Development’s portfolio of institutional services.

The format for individual presentations involves a 15 to 20 min. presentation of the focal research concept (hypothesis and specific aims) and a brief summary of approaches, anticipated results and potential problems, followed by 25 min. of critique and discussion with review panelists and audience participants. The review panel typically includes 4 established investigator-mentors with extensive peer review experience and a broad grasp of contemporary basic, translational and clinical biomedical research.

The maximum number of presenters is 5 per session. Slots are available for the September 15th date. For more information, or to sign up as a presenter or audience participant, please contact Peggy Schachte, Director, MUSC Office of Research Development, 792-0868, e-mail schachte@musc.edu. Additional information and on-line registration are available at http://research.musc.edu/rpgretreat.html.