🧭 1. Choose the Right Funding Mechanism

• 🧩 Match your career stage & goals (F31, F31 Diversity, F99/K00 D-SPAN, etc.)
• 📄 Download current instructions & deadlines
• 🖥️ Register early with eRA Commons & required systems
• 🏛️ Meet with department/lab admin about budgets, approvals, routing
• ⏰ Begin approvals well in advance

📚 2. Early Scientific Preparation

• 📖 Read broadly to identify knowledge gaps; save deep reads for later
• 🤝 Brainstorm with mentors, labmates, collaborators
• 🌐 Seek outside expertise — come prepared with specific questions
• 🗣️ Contact relevant NIH Program Officers (ideally after drafting your Aims page)
• 📅 Start 6–9 months before the deadline

🔬 3. Assess Your Scientific Readiness

• 📝 Review your publication record — submit anything that should already be out
• 💾 Identify “must-have” preliminary data
• 🧠 Identify methods you need training in
• 🧪 Ensure your mentor or someone in your sphere is expert in all proposed methods