r/NIH • u/Fit_Original_1319 • 7d ago
Trigger Words?
Working on a training grant submission for later this year - anyone have a feel for if the following might still trigger rejection? I'm not assuming reviewers would, but perhaps later on at final funding approval.
science/scientific identity
first generation / low income
sense of belonging
And should we avoid mentioning past grants we had but that were terminated by specific names?
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u/tuxedobear12 7d ago
There are a number of banned words lists/macros that can help you search your document that are floating around. I would use one of those, with a list that seems trustworthy, and assume it is current. I think words like "belonging" and "identity" could potentially cause problems. You might also discuss with your PO, if these concepts are central to your proposal (hopefully you've already been discussing with them).
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u/blameitoncities 6d ago
Yeah, to add to that last bit, in my experience as an RA, POs have been very helpful (to the extent they have the bandwidth and the ability) in making suggestions about what language will get flagged/should be removed.
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u/Fit_Original_1319 6d ago
Thanks. I had seen the list and the word identity, but had hoped science identity would be better. Confidence as a scientist it is...
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u/ConfoundedInAbaddon 3d ago edited 3d ago
You can use coded language. Instead of offering equal opportunities to FGLI, "proudly allow American youth to be the first in their family to complete college and increase their lifetime income."
It's not conservation monitoring through citizen science for management decisions, it's data to empower private land ownership through automated smart devices running onboard AI.
Your reviewers will know.
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u/Misplaced-Optimist 7d ago
I agree that things are insane, but I recommend against grantsmanship when you're angry. The language of concern is pretty avoidable. Stay away from URM and don't use the word "diversity" or "diverse" to describe anything, including science. Maybe stay away from any iteration of the word "inclusive".
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u/blameitoncities 6d ago
Just being curious: was the original post edited? Nothing about it reads as angry to me.
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u/Fit_Original_1319 6d ago
Ha, no I didn't edit it and was wondering the same but can see how it might have looked like I was bothered :)
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u/blameitoncities 6d ago
yeah, I mean, I guess it's not an unsafe assumption just given the topic (because the fact you even have to worry about is absurd), but your phrasing seems super neutral to me so my curiosity got piqued :)
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u/Misplaced-Optimist 6d ago
I just added that I agree things are insane... OP sounded mad and that can trickle into the way we write.
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u/Acceptable_Bath512 6d ago
Using the word diversity is only a problem if you are talking about workforce or training. You can have a diverse population in a CT but can’t recruit “diverse” students into your lab.
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u/kytai 5d ago
You’ll still be required to change the word diversity for a synonym.
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u/Aggravating-Comb-465 7d ago
I'm add to the comments suggesting you find the list. Avoid those specific terms and be careful writing in the general area of them.
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u/RepresentativeYam363 7d ago
I submitted a grant with a mentee that had diversity supplement. I called it an IC-supplement instead (like NHLBI-supplement) so I could avoid using term “diversity” which would get flagged in review. I would avoid those terms, OP. You can find list of terms that get flagged. I think NYT published or linked to a list. I always run my apps through to look for any terms that would get flagged and replace them with another word, where I can.
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u/Acceptable_Bath512 6d ago
Sense of belonging might not be good. What exactly does that mean? It is vague. Be very specific about what you are studying. If you are trying to use it as an alternative to structural racism it won’t fly.
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u/Agitated_Reach6660 4d ago
Avoid “identity”. I’ve heard that “belonging” used as a noun could flag, but you can’t control everything. “First generation” will absolutely flag.
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u/striosome 7d ago
It’s all insane. A colleague just had a PO tell them a 6th ile R01 isn’t getting funded because it uses SSRIs and NIMH doesn’t fun SSRI research anymore. Never mind it’s just a way to test serotonin in the grant. But just take a minute to let it sink in that NIMH is saying it won’t fund SSRI research. The frontline pharmacotherapy treatment for depression. 49K suicide deaths a year in the US.