Time and costs of preparing and submitting an NIH grant application at a school of nursing

Background: Schools of nursing spend considerable time and finances pursuing federal research funding, yet the costs of such efforts are unknown. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the time and costs to a school of nursing to prepare a National Institutes of Health grant application. Method: We prospectively recorded time and calculated costs in grant preparation undertaken by principal investigators and research administrators in one school of nursing. Results: Principal investigators' time ranged from 69.8 to 162.3 hr, research administrators' time ranged from 33.9 to 56.4 hr, and costs ranged from $4,784 to $13,512 per grant. With funding rates of 5% to 15%, costs for one funded R01 would be $72,460 to $270,240. Discussion: Grant writing activities represent a major time commitment to faculty and staff and costs to the school. To maximize potential for success, schools of nursing must provide costly resources to support its grant writing enterprise. Conclusions: Less costly and more efficient models of attaining research funding are needed for the sustainability of the nursing profession.