The National Institutes of Health (NIH) New Investigator Series suggests steps investigators can take after submitting a proposal to improve their chances of getting funded. It could be months before your application gets peer reviewed and many issues can crop up, so be aware of changing circumstances and what options you have to respond.

For example: Keep in Touch with Your Program Officer
Program officers are your main point of contact during your application's next stage, second-level review. Think of program officers like sports agents--they can advocate for you though they don't decide whether you make the team. They're also your main point of contact during your application's next stage, second-level review.

More: http://funding.niaid.nih.gov/researchfunding/newsletter/2011/pages/0330....