The MUSC Office of Research Development offers new and established investigators the opportunity to participate in Research Project Grant Retreats (RPG Review Retreats). These interactive full-day sessions target investigators who want constructive criticism on a specific research concept or proposal. Researchers at any phase of career development—from in-training to senior scientist—are encouraged to attend as audience participants. Click here for upcoming dates.

RPG Retreats are designed to help individual investigators achieve more competitive results. The purpose is to provide objective review and constructive suggestions to people who are planning to apply to NIH or a similar sponsor in the foreseeable future. The desired outcome is an excellent-to-outstanding success rate for participants on the first, second or third submission.

Both new and experienced researchers can benefit substantially by participating as presenters or audience participants. Early investigators are typically those who are trying for a first or second independent grant or mentored career development award (e.g., NIH K awards). Seasoned investigators may be preparing a competing continuation or pursuing a new direction.

Each RPG Review Retreat starts with breakfast and concludes at mid-afternoon (the exact time depends on number of confirmed presenters). Presenters should plan to attend the full day, if at all possible, while audience members and other colleagues may be more flexible. Breakfast, lunch and breaks are provided. RPG Review Retreats are an institutional service, and do not involve any fees or charges.

The format for each presentation involves a 20-minute research presentation of the research concept (e.g., hypothesis and specific aims) and a brief summary of approaches, anticipated results and potential problems, followed by 25 min. of critique and discussion from review panelists and audience participants. Presenters receive a powerpoint template for a limited number of slides to help prepare a presentation of suitable length. The review panel consists of three to five senior investigator-mentors with extensive peer-review experience and a broad grasp of contemporary basic, translational and/or clinical biomedical research.

A reviewer and a presenter may have organizational or scientific overlap; this is acceptable, because these are collegial sessions, not evaluative reviews. Participants are encouraged to suggest on-campus individuals to serve on the review panel. They are also asked to identify senior and junior colleagues, mentors and collaborators so that they can be specifically invited to join the audience. The agenda and list of participants are distributed ahead of time. Click here for a list of past presenters, panelists and audience members.

Each retreat will end with a short evaluation session to assess perceived value and suggest improvements. In addition, to evaluate the effectiveness of the RPG review retreats, an annual survey will collect data regarding submissions and specific outcomes. The only “cost” of participation is agreement to provide such data on request. The data will be collated for total results, without identifiers, to preserve privacy.

To SIGN UP or SUGGEST someone to participate in one of the RPG Review Retreats, please go to RPG Review Retreat Registration or contact Peggy Schachte, Director, MUSC Office of Research Development, 792-0868, e-mail schachte@musc.edu.