We've had session like this with speakers from NIH, NSF, DOE and
other agencies.  With NIH we usually focus on peer review and
conduct a mock study section.  ONe variation was to persuade a
faculty member to let us distribute the first, second and third
versions of an application that was funded on the third try.  We
assembled a study section composed of our own faculty members and
one or two from another Nashville University; the NIH visitor led
the study section in front of the assembled faculty audience just as
if it were the real thing.  Then we passed out the comments the reaal
reviewers had made and the faculty author described how he responded
to those comments (both psychologically and scientifically) in the
second try and we repeated the cycle.  We devoted 3 hours to the
exercise.  For other agencies we schedule a one hour session
where a program officer from the sponsor speaks with a general
audience and then schedule smaller groups (or even individuals)
to discuss more specific projects that may be of interest to the
sponsor.

Faculty members love these sessions.  It always comes as a surprise to
me to learn that new faculty members don't realize that program
officers believe it's their responsibility to HELP applicants.
Young faculty seem intimidated by program officers and see them as
remote.  For many, seeing a live one up close, friendly, knowledgeable
and helpful, is a revelation.

We generally invite faculty members from other Nashville schools
to attend these sessions, and sometimes serendipitous collaborations
result.

Peter J. Dolce
Director, Research Support Services
Meharry Medical College
P 615 327 6703
F 625 327 6738
xxxxxx@ccvax.mmc.edu