I pretty much agree with this assessment.  The investigators have to write
up their work for journals, etc.  A grant app isn't that much different.
Duke does periodically hold writing classes for different disciplines
geared towards grant writing and publications.  Most departments put
together a team to produce the boilerplate on the grant applications so the
investigators can focus on the more scholarly stuff.  Probably the thing
which is most helpful to beginning grant writers (post docs and junior
faculty) is the active involvement of senior faculty in their discipline in
the grant writing process.  Sometimes that happens and sometimes it
doesn't.  The leaders of your institution can help by encouraging senior
faculty to help in this way.

>I applaud your institute for asking these questions.  As usual, I think
>the answers will be very specific to your institution.
>Overall, I believe in the "if you can't write it, you can't do it"
>philosophy.  While a grants person (writer or facilitator, whatever you
>call it) can pull together pieces, do boilerplate on institutional
>resources, or do editing, a PI or PD should be the one doing the
>writing.  S/he will have to run the program if it's funded.
>For large institutional proposals, you may want to work with a grant
>writer/consultant.  While individuals still need to contribute their
>pieces, it is useful to have that expert perspective, and it keeps
>people on target.
>If you'd like to discuss, I'm at 212-678-4106
>Betty Farbman
>Teachers College
>> ----------
>> From:         Blanton, Mary Frances[SMTP:xxxxxx@KES.CAMCARE.COM]
>> Reply To:     Research Administration Discussion List
>> Sent:         Wednesday, April 22, 1998 1:06 PM
>> To:   xxxxxx@hrinet.org
>> Subject:      FW: Dedicated Grants Development Efforts
>>
>> Please post to the listserv.
>>
>> Mary Frances Blanton, M.Ed.
>> Director, Research and Grants Administration
>> Camcare Health Education and Research Institute
>> Phone: 304-388-9975  FAX:  304-388-9976
>> Email:  xxxxxx@Camcare.com
>>
>> > -----Original Message-----
>> > From: Blanton, Mary Frances
>> > Sent: Monday, April 13, 1998 12:23 PM
>> > To:   'xxxxxx@HEALTH.STATE.NY.US'
>> > Subject:      Dedicated Grants Development Efforts
>> >
>> > Dear Readers:
>> > Our research and education Institute is reevaluating its services to
>> > researchers and professionals in general as they relate to providing
>> > grantwriting and grant proposal facilitation/coordination services (
>> a
>> > potentially separate office from the Sponsored Projects Office)  The
>> > questions on our table are:
>> > 1) should a centralized dedicated grant development office with a
>> > small staff be established to coordinate and facilitate grant
>> proposal
>> > writing for all professionals?
>> > 2)  how can  a small staff with diverse backgrounds accommodate the
>> > needs of all investigators effectively?
>> > 3) is it best to function in a decentralized manner and hire
>> > grantwriters with the appropriate expertise  and background  and
>> > strategically place these individuals in those departments/programs
>> > 4) what works --"grantwriters" or "grant facilitators"????
>> > 4) and many other questions...
>> >
>> > We would like to talk to some institutions who have explored these
>> > same questions recently.  We are a small research institution in
>> terms
>> > of grants received (3.5mil) and would like to encourage and
>> facilitate
>> > the growing programs that will require more grant dollars to stay
>> > afloat.  We would appreciate finding out who would be willing to
>> share
>> > their experience and structure/processes with us.    Many thanks.
>> >
>> > Mary Frances Blanton, M.Ed.
>> > Director, Research and Grants Administration
>> > Camcare Health Education and Research Institute
>> > Phone: 304-388-9975  FAX:  304-388-9976
>> > Email:  xxxxxx@Camcare.com
>> >
>>