research grant application tips

The Ultimate Grant Writing Guide (and How to Find and Apply for Grants)

Securing grants requires strategic planning. Identifying relevant opportunities, building collaborations, and crafting a comprehensive grant proposal are crucial steps. Read our ultimate guide on grant writing, finding grants, and applying for grants to get the funding for your research.

Updated on February 22, 2024

Embarking on a journey of groundbreaking research and innovation always requires more than just passion and dedication, it demands financial support. In the academic and research domains, securing grants is a pivotal factor for transforming these ideas into tangible outcomes. 

Grant awards not only offer the backing needed for ambitious projects but also stand as a testament to the importance and potential impact of your work. The process of identifying, pursuing, and securing grants, however, is riddled with nuances that necessitate careful exploration. 

Whether you're a seasoned researcher or a budding academic, navigating this complex world of grants can be challenging, but we’re here to help. In this comprehensive guide, we'll walk you through the essential steps of applying for grants, providing expert tips and insights along the way.

Finding grant opportunities 

Prior to diving into the application phase, the process of finding grants involves researching and identifying those that are relevant and realistic to your project. While the initial step may seem as simple as entering a few keywords into a search engine, the full search phase takes a more thorough investigation.

By focusing efforts solely on the grants that align with your goals, this pre-application preparation streamlines the process while also increasing the likelihood of meeting all the requirements. In fact, having a well thought out plan and a clear understanding of the grants you seek both simplifies the entire activity and sets you and your team up for success.

Apply these steps when searching for appropriate grant opportunities:

1. Determine your need

Before embarking on the grant-seeking journey, clearly articulate why you need the funds and how they will be utilized. Understanding your financial requirements is crucial for effective grant research.

2. Know when you need the money

Grants operate on specific timelines with set award dates. Align your grant-seeking efforts with these timelines to enhance your chances of success.

3. Search strategically

Build a checklist of your most important, non-negotiable search criteria for quickly weeding out grant options that absolutely do not fit your project. Then, utilize the following resources to identify potential grants:

• Online directories
• Small Business Administration (SBA)
• Foundations

4. Develop a tracking tool

After familiarizing yourself with the criteria of each grant, including paperwork, deadlines, and award amounts, make a spreadsheet or use a project management tool to stay organized. Share this with your team to ensure that everyone can contribute to the grant cycle.

Here are a few popular grant management tools to try: 

• Jotform : spreadsheet template
• Airtable : table template
• Instrumentl : software
• Submit : software

Tips for Finding Research Grants

Consider large funding sources : Explore major agencies like NSF and NIH.

Reach out to experts : Consult experienced researchers and your institution's grant office.

Stay informed : Regularly check news in your field for novel funding sources.

Know agency requirements : Research and align your proposal with their requisites.

Ask questions : Use the available resources to get insights into the process.

Demonstrate expertise : Showcase your team's knowledge and background.

Neglect lesser-known sources : Cast a wide net to diversify opportunities.

Name drop reviewers : Prevent potential conflicts of interest.

Miss your chance : Find field-specific grant options.

Forget refinement : Improve proposal language, grammar, and clarity.

Ignore grant support services : Enhance the quality of your proposal.

Overlook co-investigators : Enhance your application by adding experience.

Grant collaboration 

Now that you’ve taken the initial step of identifying potential grant opportunities, it’s time to find collaborators. The application process is lengthy and arduous. It requires a diverse set of skills. This phase is crucial for success.

With their valuable expertise and unique perspectives, these collaborators play instrumental roles in navigating the complexities of grant writing. While exploring the judiciousness that goes into building these partnerships, we will underscore why collaboration is both advantageous and indispensable to the pursuit of securing grants.

Why is collaboration important to the grant process?

Some grant funding agencies outline collaboration as an outright requirement for acceptable applications. However, the condition is more implied with others. Funders may simply favor or seek out applications that represent multidisciplinary and multinational projects.

To get an idea of the types of collaboration major funders prefer, try searching “collaborative research grants” to uncover countless possibilities, such as:

• National Endowment for the Humanities
• American Brain Tumor Association

For exploring grants specifically for international collaboration, check out this blog:

• 30+ Research Funding Agencies That Support International Collaboration

Either way, proposing an interdisciplinary research project substantially increases your funding opportunities. Teaming up with multiple collaborators who offer diverse backgrounds and skill sets enhances the robustness of your research project and increases credibility.

This is especially true for early career researchers, who can leverage collaboration with industry, international, or community partners to boost their research profile. The key lies in recognizing the multifaceted advantages of collaboration in the context of obtaining funding and maximizing the impact of your research efforts.

How can I find collaborators?

Before embarking on the search for a collaborative partner, it's essential to crystallize your objectives for the grant proposal and identify the type of support needed. Ask yourself these questions: 

1)Which facet of the grant process do I need assistance with:

2) Is my knowledge lacking in a specific: 

• Population?

3) Do I have access to the necessary:

Use these questions to compile a detailed list of your needs and prioritize them based on magnitude and ramification. These preliminary step ensure that search for an ideal collaborator is focused and effective.

Once you identify targeted criteria for the most appropriate partners, it’s time to make your approach. While a practical starting point involves reaching out to peers, mentors, and other colleagues with shared interests and research goals, we encourage you to go outside your comfort zone.

Beyond the first line of potential collaborators exists a world of opportunities to expand your network. Uncover partnership possibilities by engaging with speakers and attendees at events, workshops, webinars, and conferences related to grant writing or your field.

Also, consider joining online communities that facilitate connections among grant writers and researchers. These communities offer a space to exchange ideas and information. Sites like Collaboratory , NIH RePorter , and upwork provide channels for canvassing and engaging with feasible collaborators who are good fits for your project. 

Like any other partnership, carefully weigh your vetted options before committing to a collaboration. Talk with individuals about their qualifications and experience, availability and work style, and terms for grant writing collaborations.

Transparency on both sides of this partnership is imperative to forging a positive work environment where goals, values, and expectations align for a strong grant proposal.

Putting together a winning grant proposal

It’s time to assemble the bulk of your grant application packet – the proposal itself. Each funder is unique in outlining the details for specific grants, but here are several elements fundamental to every proposal:

• Executive Summary
• Needs assessment
• Project description
• Evaluation plan
• Team introduction
• Sustainability plan 

This list of multi-faceted components may seem daunting, but careful research and planning will make it manageable. 

Start by reading about the grant funder to learn:

• What their mission and goals are,
• Which types of projects they have funded in the past, and
• How they evaluate and score applications.

Next, view sample applications to get a feel for the length, flow, and tone the evaluators are looking for. Many funders offer samples to peruse, like these from the NIH , while others are curated by online platforms , such as Grantstation.

Also, closely evaluate the grant application’s requirements. they vary between funding organizations and opportunities, and also from one grant cycle to the next. Take notes and make a checklist of these requirements to add to an Excel spreadsheet, Google smartsheet, or management system for organizing and tracking your grant process.

Finally, understand how you will submit the final grant application. Many funders use online portals with character or word limits for each section. Be aware of these limits beforehand. Simplify the editing process by first writing each section in a Word document to be copy and pasted into the corresponding submission fields.

If there is no online application platform, the funder will usually offer a comprehensive Request for Proposal (RFP) to guide the structure of your grant proposal. The RFP: 

• Specifies page constraints
• Delineates specific sections
• Outlines additional attachments
• Provides other pertinent details

Components of a grant proposal

Cover letter.

Though not always explicitly requested, including a cover letter is a strategic maneuver that could be the factor determining whether or not grant funders engage with your proposal. It’s an opportunity to give your best first impression by grabbing the reviewer’s attention and compelling them to read further. 

Cover letters are not the place for excessive emotion or detail, keep it brief and direct, stating your financial needs and purpose confidently from the outset. Also, try to clearly demonstrate the connection between your project and the funder’s mission to create additional value beyond the formal proposal.

Executive summary

Like an abstract for your research manuscript, the executive summary is a brief synopsis that encapsulates the overarching topics and key points of your grant proposal. It must set the tone for the main body of the proposal while providing enough information to stand alone if necessary.

Refer to How to Write an Executive Summary for a Grant Proposal for detailed guidance like:

• Give a clear and concise account of your identity, funding needs, and project roadmap.
• Write in an instructive manner aiming for an objective and persuasive tone
• Be convincing and pragmatic about your research team's ability.
• Follow the logical flow of main points in your proposal.
• Use subheadings and bulleted lists for clarity.
• Write the executive summary at the end of the proposal process.
• Reference detailed information explained in the proposal body.
• Address the funder directly.
• Provide excessive details about your project's accomplishments or management plans.
• Write in the first person.
• Disclose confidential information that could be accessed by competitors.
• Focus excessively on problems rather than proposed solutions.
• Deviate from the logical flow of the main proposal.
• Forget to align with evaluation criteria if specified

Project narrative

After the executive summary is the project narrative . This is the main body of your grant proposal and encompasses several distinct elements that work together to tell the story of your project and justify the need for funding. 

Include these primary components:

Introduction of the project team

Briefly outline the names, positions, and credentials of the project’s directors, key personnel, contributors, and advisors in a format that clearly defines their roles and responsibilities. Showing your team’s capacity and ability to meet all deliverables builds confidence and trust with the reviewers.

Needs assessment or problem statement

A compelling needs assessment (or problem statement) clearly articulates a problem that must be urgently addressed. It also offers a well-defined project idea as a possible solution. This statement emphasizes the pressing situation and highlights existing gaps and their consequences to illustrate how your project will make a difference.

To begin, ask yourself these questions:

• What urgent need are we focusing on with this project?
• Which unique solution does our project offer to this urgent need? 
• How will this project positively impact the world once completed?

Here are some helpful examples and templates.

Goals and objectives

Goals are broad statements that are fairly abstract and intangible. Objectives are more narrow statements that are concrete and measurable. For example :

• Goal : “To explore the impact of sleep deprivation on cognitive performance in college students.”
• Objective : “To compare cognitive test scores of students with less than six hours of sleep and those with 8 or more hours of sleep.”

Focus on outcomes, not processes, when crafting goals and objectives. Use the SMART acronym to align them with the proposal's mission while emphasizing their impact on the target audience.

Methods and strategies

It is vitally important to explain how you intend to use the grant funds to fulfill the project’s objectives. Detail the resources and activities that will be employed. Methods and strategies are the bridge between idea and action. They must prove to reviewers the plausibility of your project and the significance of their possible funding.

Here are some useful guidelines for writing your methods section that are outlined in " Winning Grants: Step by Step ."

• Firmly tie your methods to the proposed project's objectives and needs assessment.
• Clearly link them to the resources you are requesting in the proposal budget.
• Thoroughly explain why you chose these methods by including research, expert opinion, and your experience.
• Precisely list the facilities and capital equipment that you will use in the project.
• Carefully structure activities so that the program moves toward the desired results in a time-bound manner.

A comprehensive evaluation plan underscores the effectiveness and accountability of a project for both the funders and your team. An evaluation is used for tracking progress and success. The evaluation process shows how to determine the success of your project and measure the impact of the grant award by systematically gauging and analyzing each phase of your project as it compares to the set objectives.

Evaluations typically fall into two standard categories:

1. Formative evaluation : extending from project development through implementation, continuously provides feedback for necessary adjustments and improvements. 

2. Summative evaluation : conducted post-project completion, critically assesses overall success and impact by compiling information on activities and outcomes.

Creating a conceptual model of your project is helpful when identifying these key evaluation points. Then, you must consider exactly who will do the evaluations, what specific skills and resources they need, how long it will take, and how much it will cost.

Sustainability

Presenting a solid plan that illustrates exactly how your project will continue to thrive after the grant money is gone builds the funder's confidence in the project’s longevity and significance. In this sustainability section, it is vital to demonstrate a diversified funding strategy for securing the long-term viability of your program.

There are three possible long term outcomes for projects with correlated sustainability options:

• Short term projects: Though only implemented once, will have ongoing maintenance costs, such as monitoring, training, and updates.

(E.g., digitizing records, cleaning up after an oil spill)

• Projects that will generate income at some point in the future: must be funded until your product or service can cover operating costs with an alternative plan in place for deficits.

(E.g., medical device, technology, farming method)

• Ongoing projects: will eventually need a continuous stream of funding from a government entity or large organization.

(E.g., space exploration, hurricane tracking)

Along with strategies for funding your program beyond the initial grant,  reference your access to institutional infrastructure and resources that will reduce costs.

Also, submit multi-year budgets that reflect how sustainability factors are integrated into the project’s design.

The budget section of your grant proposal, comprising both a spreadsheet and a narrative, is the most influential component. It should be able to stand independently as a suitable representation of the entire endeavor. Providing a detailed plan to outline how grant funds will be utilized is crucial for illustrating cost-effectiveness and careful consideration of project expenses. 

A comprehensive grant budget offers numerous benefits to both the grantor , or entity funding the grant, and the grantee , those receiving the funding, such as:

• Grantor : The budget facilitates objective evaluation and comparison between multiple proposals by conveying a project's story through responsible fund management and financial transparency.
• Grantee : The budget serves as a tracking tool for monitoring and adjusting expenses throughout the project and cultivates trust with funders by answering questions before they arise.

Because the grant proposal budget is all-encompassing and integral to your efforts for securing funding, it can seem overwhelming. Start by listing all anticipated expenditures within two broad categories, direct and indirect expenses , where:

• Direct : are essential for successful project implementation, are measurable project-associated costs, such as salaries, equipment, supplies, travel, and external consultants, and are itemized and detailed in various categories within the grant budget.
• Indirect : includes administrative costs not directly or exclusively tied to your project, but necessary for its completion, like rent, utilities, and insurance, think about lab or meeting spaces that are shared by multiple project teams, or Directors who oversee several ongoing projects.

After compiling your list, review sample budgets to understand the typical layout and complexity. Focus closely on the budget narratives , where you have the opportunity to justify each aspect of the spreadsheet to ensure clarity and validity.

While not always needed, the appendices consist of relevant supplementary materials that are clearly referenced within your grant application. These might include: 

• Updated resumes that emphasize staff members' current positions and accomplishments. 
• Letters of support from people or organizations that have authority in the field of your research, or community members that may benefit from the project.
• Visual aids like charts, graphs, and maps that contribute directly to your project’s story and are referred to previously in the application. 

Finalizing your grant application

Now that your grant application is finished, make sure it's not just another document in the stack Aim for a grant proposal that captivates the evaluator. It should stand out not only for presenting an excellent project, but for being engaging and easily comprehended . 

Keep the language simple. Avoid jargon. Prioritizing accuracy and conciseness. Opt for reader-friendly formatting with white space, headings, standard fonts, and illustrations to enhance readability.

Always take time for thorough proofreading and editing. You can even set your proposal aside for a few days before revisiting it for additional edits and improvements. At this stage, it is helpful to seek outside feedback from those familiar with the subject matter as well as novices to catch unnoticed mistakes and improve clarity.

If you want to be absolutely sure your grant proposal is polished, consider getting it edited by AJE .

How can AI help the grant process?

When used efficiently, AI is a powerful tool for streamlining and enhancing various aspects of the grant process.

• Use AI algorithms to review related studies and identify knowledge gaps.
• Employ AI for quick analysis of complex datasets to identify patterns and trends.
• Leverage AI algorithms to match your project with relevant grant opportunities.
• Apply Natural Language Processing for analyzing grant guidelines and tailoring proposals accordingly.
• Utilize AI-powered tools for efficient project planning and execution.
• Employ AI for tracking project progress and generating reports.
• Take advantage of AI tools for improving the clarity, coherence, and quality of your proposal.
• Rely solely on manual efforts that are less comprehensive and more time consuming.
• Overlook the fact that AI is designed to find patterns and trends within large datasets.
• Minimize AI’s ability to use set parameters for sifting through vast amounts of data quickly.
• Forget that the strength of AI lies in its capacity to follow your prompts without divergence.
• Neglect tools that assist with scheduling, resource allocation, and milestone tracking.
• Settle for software that is not intuitive with automated reminders and updates.
• Hesitate to use AI tools for improving grammar, spelling, and composition throughout the writing process.

Remember that AI provides a diverse array of tools; there is no universal solution. Identify the most suitable tool for your specific task. Also, like a screwdriver or a hammer, AI needs informed human direction and control to work effectively.

Looking for tips when writing your grant application? 

Check out these resources:

• 4 Tips for Writing a Persuasive Grant Proposal
• Writing Effective Grant Applications
• 7 Tips for Writing an Effective Grant Proposal
• The best-kept secrets to winning grants
• The Best Grant Writing Books for Beginner Grant Writers
• Research Grant Proposal Funding: How I got $1 Million

Final thoughts

The bottom line – applying for grants is challenging. It requires passion, dedication, and a set of diverse skills rarely found within one human being.

Therefore, collaboration is key to a successful grant process . It encourages everyone’s strengths to shine. Be honest and ask yourself, “Which elements of this grant application do I really need help with?” Seek out experts in those areas.

Keep this guide on hand to reference as you work your way through this funding journey. Use the resources contained within. Seek out answers to all the questions that will inevitably arise throughout the process.

The grants are out there just waiting for the right project to present itself – one that shares the funder’s mission and is a benefit to our communities. Find grants that align with your project goals, tell your story through a compelling proposal, and get ready to make the world a better place with your research.

The AJE Team

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12 top tips for writing a grant application

Populations and Systems Medicine Board Programme Manager for Endocrinology and Cardiometabolic Medicine, Medical Research Council

18 August 2021

Building grant writing skills can help you secure funding. Updated by popular demand: how to master the application process and make your grant stand out.

1. Allow plenty of time

Everything takes longer than you think it will. No matter how simple it may seem to pull together a project, there are lot of different steps involved in submitting a proposal, some more time-consuming than others.

Plan your application and take your time, don’t rush it. Make sure you’ve got all the paperwork required. For example, some funding calls require specific letters of support from university administrators or mentors.

2. Choose your funder and scheme carefully

It’s good to talk! Speak to the funders, we’re here to help. Ask us questions to get an insight into what we’re interested in and which scheme’s remit might suit your idea. Read through guidance and eligibility criteria carefully. We don’t want you wasting your time applying for an inappropriate scheme.

3. Get advice at an early stage, from a range of sources

Create a collaborative network within your organisation and beyond. Look for inspiration to help pull together an idea that’s worthy of being funded. The wider the range of ideas you can expose yourself to, the more interesting concepts you’ll come up with.

Speak with your grants office, mentors and colleagues who have served on funding panels. Get involved in grant writing at an early stage, if only as an observer. Find out how senior colleagues get ideas together, assemble teams and put an application together.

4. Get the right partners

The people involved are just as important as the project you’re proposing. Provide evidence that the team can deliver the work and a return on the Medical Research Council’s (MRC) investment. Do you have the right people and representatives from the appropriate research communities?

5. Consider your audience

Your proposal will be reviewed by independent experts working in the field, as well as board or panel members with a variety of specialisms. They’re smart people but they’re also busy!

Provide a clear rationale for what you’re doing and why you’re doing it. Create specific aims and well-defined criteria to quantify success and keep it concise. You want to make it as easy as possible for them to understand what you’re proposing to do and why this is important.

6. Consider the impact of the research

Explain the intended consequences of your work. Who could benefit in the long term? How can you increase the chances of reaching those beneficiaries?

Even if your proposal doesn’t directly address economic or societal impact you should be able to explain the pathway that links your work to improving human health. Embed the potential impact of your research throughout your application.

7. Include relevant preliminary data

Provide enough preliminary data to validate the approach you’ve selected and reassure the panel you’ve identified a signal that’s worth pursuing. If you don’t have preliminary data, consider what other published work you can use to support your approach.

8. Tell a compelling story

Be focused. You’re selling an idea to an audience, make sure it’s an exciting idea taking on a serious challenge. Identify a hook, the key feature that your proposal hangs off, and then tell a convincing narrative linking each experiment to your main aims.

9. Justify your methods

Get your sums right! Why have you chosen the sample size? Justify sample sizes with power calculations. Relate the methods to the aims and the deliverables. Use the right tools in the right way.

It’s also a good idea to acknowledge weaknesses in your proposal but explain why it’s still worth pursuing. This shows reviewers that you fully understand any limitations in your approach.

10. Mitigate the risks

What could go wrong? What you will do to minimise this risk? What are your contingency plans? This shows you’ve thought through your application and provides confidence you’ll be able to deliver your proposed research.

11. Get your proposal reviewed internally

Many research organisations have ‘mock’ internal funding panels. If yours does, take advantage of it. If it doesn’t, look to get opinions from a mentor or a senior colleague.

Getting your proposal read by a peer who has not been involved in drafting the application can also be extremely valuable. If they struggle to follow the key objectives, or what the potential impact will be, then it is likely that reviewers will also struggle.

12. Do final checks

Proofread, spell check and stick to specified formats. Remember the little things count! Presentation, punctuation and grammar set the tone for how people feel about your work. They really do matter.

Finally, before you click the submit button check the  common reasons we return applications  and make sure yours is not one of them.

Find out more

Read the  MRC guidance for applicants .

Find out how to  contact the relevant Programme Manager .

Watch  what’s needed for a successful New Investigator Research Grant application (YouTube) .

Watch  how to win funds and influence panels (YouTube) .

Read  funding decisions: insider insights .

Read  10 expert tips to help you respond to peer review comments .

Find out more about  the MRC Board Observers scheme .

Top image:  Credit: fizkes, iStock, Getty Images Plus via Getty Images

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Andrew Crawford

Andrew Crawford has been at the Medical Research Council (MRC) since summer 2019 and was previously a postdoctoral research working at the University of Edinburgh and at the MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit at the University of Bristol.

He lives in Bristol, has three young children and likes to go for a run or a swim whenever possible.

This is the website for UKRI: our seven research councils, Research England and Innovate UK. Let us know if you have feedback or would like to help improve our online products and services .

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Trusted Advice for Academic and Professional Success

How to Write a Successful Research Grant Application

Thursday | May 17, 2018 | by Trishnee Bhurosy

Writing a research grant application, as with most things, is an acquired skill. But, with practice and by applying a few successful techniques, you can increase your odds of receiving a research grant. As an academic and behavioral scientist, I have realized the importance of developing the skills necessary for writing a good grant proposal. When I wrote my first grant application, I did not have any idea what I was doing! It took me at least five or six grant applications before I wrote a successful one. Here are some tips I recommend based on my experience writing grant applications.

Review Your Drafts Again and Again

The key to improving your writing for any grant is to revise your drafts as much as you can. Just start to write and take a break. I have noticed that after taking a day off from the draft I wrote, I can look at it with fresh eyes and spot improvements.

Many graduate students wait to be inspired to write. Do not let that happen to you! Set aside 30 minutes every morning or every night to write. Once you have a draft ready, have it reviewed by your colleagues, advisor, or friends. It is even better if you can have it reviewed by someone who is not in your field. They will be able to point out confusing parts or suggest ways to improve your drafts. Often, the grant committee comprises individuals who are not familiar with the specifics of your field. Therefore, it is best to write as simply as you can and use as little jargon as possible.

Take a Grant Writing Class

Last year, I took a grant writing course at Indiana University that was heavily focused on how to write for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) research grants. Although I have not applied for an NIH grant yet, I was able to understand the process and writing style needed for a research grant. Additionally, I was able to get feedback on my papers from other colleagues and review others’ work. At the end of the semester, everyone in the class had at least one full research grant written. Although our work was not perfect, we were certainly more confident in writing similar grants.

Avoid Flowery Words

Be less flowery and more direct! Do not use words that are unnecessary and avoid using jargon or overly technical words. If you find that a word in a sentence is not needed, then it is best to leave that word out. When you write, think of how you would describe your research to an audience who is not familiar with your topic. Practice an elevator speech about your research project in terms of what it is and why it is needed. This will help you think out loud and refine the concepts of your project in your mind.

Prepare Ahead of Time

The timeline for many research grants is quite short, lasting only a couple of weeks. Do not wait until the last minute to prepare your application! Many grants occur on a yearly basis. If you have set your mind on a particular grant and you know when the application window will open, prepare your application materials in advance. For example, you should:

• Request nomination or recommendation letters ahead of time
• Write your drafts early on and get them reviewed
• Block out an hour of your schedule each month and update your curriculum vitae (CV)
• See resources available on your campus to have your CV and application materials reviewed

Follow the Grant’s Instructions

It is critical to follow all the instructions stipulated in the grant. Grants are highly competitive and many applications get rejected because the requested font, line spacing, or length of paper has not been followed. Follow all the instructions and make it easy for the reviewer to read your grant application.

Go for Small Grants First

If you have never applied for any grant before, my advice to you is to go for smaller grants. Try to apply for internal grants available within your department or school. Grants beget grants. Once you get confident writing small grants, you will be able to tackle the much more competitive ones.

My last piece advice to you is to remember that grant writing is a process. Do not be harsh on yourself if you do not succeed in your first applications!

Are you interested in sharing your tips and advice with our readers? Then consider joining the WES Ambassador Program, which is open to international students and immigrants in the U.S. and Canada. Learn more about the program and how to contribute to the WES Advisor Blog here .

Dr. Trishnee Bhurosy holds a PhD in Health Behavior from Indiana University-Bloomington and is now a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Cancer Institute of New Jersey. She is also a WES Ambassador.

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of World Education Services (WES).

Educational resources and simple solutions for your research journey

How to Write a Successful Research Grant Proposal: An Overview

Writing a research grant proposal can be a challenging task, especially for those who are new to the process. However, a well-written proposal can increase the chances of receiving the necessary funding for your research.

This guide discusses the key criteria to consider when writing a grant proposal and what to include in each section.  

Table of Contents

Key criteria to consider  

When writing a grant proposal, there are five main criteria that you need to consider. These are:  

• Significance  
• Innovation  
• Investigators  
• Environment  

The funding body will look for these criteria throughout your statement, so it’s important to tailor what you say and how you say it accordingly.  

1. Significance  

Significance refers to the value of the research you are proposing. It should address an important research problem and be significant in your field or for society. Think about what you are hoping to find and how it could be valuable in the industry or area you are working in. What does success look like? What could follow-on work lead to?  

2. Approach  

Approach refers to the methods and techniques you plan to use. The funding body will be looking at how well-developed and integrated your framework, design, methods, and analysis are. They will also want to know if you have considered any problem areas and alternative approaches. Experimental design, data collection and processing, and ethical considerations all fall under this group.  

3. Innovation  

Innovation means that you are proposing something new and original. Your aims should be original and innovative, or your proposed methods and approaches should be new and novel . Ideally both would be true. Your project should also challenge existing paradigms or develop new methodologies or technologies.  

4. Investigators  

Investigators here refer to you and your team, or proposed team. The funding body will want to know if you are well-trained and have the right qualifications and experience to conduct the research . This is important as it shows you have the ability to undertake the research successfully. One part of this evaluation will be, have you been awarded grants in the past. This is one reason to start early in your career with grant applications to smaller funds to build up a track record.  

5. Environment  

Environment refers to the scientific environment in which the work will be done. The funding body will want to know if the scientific environment will contribute to the overall probability of success. This could include your institution, the building or lab you will be working in, and any collaborative arrangements you have in place. Any similar research work conducted in your institution in the past will show that your environment is likely to be appropriate.  

Writing the grant proposal  

It’s almost impossible to generalize across funders, since each has its own highly specific format for applications, but most applications have the following sections in common.  

1. Abstract  

The abstract is a summary of your research proposal. It should be around 150 to 200 words and summarize your aims, the gap in literature, the methods you plan to use, and how long you might take.  

2. Literature Review  

The literature review is a review of the literature related to your field. It should summarize the research within your field, speaking about the top research papers and review papers. You should mention any existing knowledge about your topic and any preliminary data you have. If you have any hypotheses, you can add them at the end of the literature review.  

The aims section needs to be very clear about what your aims are for the project. You should have a couple of aims if you are looking for funding for two or three years. State your aims clearly using strong action words.  

4. Significance  

In this section, you should sell the significance of your research. Explain why your research is important and why you deserve the funding.  

Defining Your Research Questions  

It’s essential to identify the research questions you want to answer when writing a grant proposal. It’s also crucial to determine the potential impact of your research and narrow your focus.  

1.Innovation and Originality  

Innovation is critical in demonstrating that your research is original and has a unique approach compared to existing research. In this section, it’s essential to highlight the importance of the problem you’re addressing, any critical barriers to progress in the field, and how your project will improve scientific knowledge and technical capabilities. You should also demonstrate whether your methods, technologies, and approach are unique.  

2. Research approach and methodology  

Your research approach and methodology are crucial components of your grant proposal. In the approach section, you should outline your research methodology, starting with an overview that summarizes your aims and hypotheses. You should also introduce your research team and justify their involvement in the project, highlighting their academic background and experience. Additionally, you should describe their roles within the team. It’s also important to include a timeline that breaks down your research plan into different stages, each with specific goals.  

In the methodology section, detail your research methods, anticipated results, and limitations. Be sure to consider the potential limitations that could occur and provide solutions to overcome them. Remember, never give a limitation without providing a solution.  

Common reasons for grant failure  

Knowing the common reasons why grant proposals fail can help you avoid making these mistakes. The five key reasons for grant failure are:  

• Poor science – The quality of the research is not high enough.  
• Poor organization – The proposal is not organized in a clear way.  
• Poor integration – The proposal lacks clear integration between different sections.  
• Contradiction – The proposal contradicts itself.  
• Lack of qualifications or experienc e – The researcher lacks the necessary qualifications or experience to conduct the research.  

By avoiding these pitfalls, you will increase your chances of receiving the funding you need to carry out your research successfully.  

Tips for writing a strong grant proposal  

Writing a successful grant proposal requires careful planning and execution. Here are some tips to help you create a strong grant proposal:  

• Begin writing your proposal early. Grant proposals take time and effort to write. Start as early as possible to give yourself enough time to refine your ideas and address any issues that arise.  
• Read the guidelines carefully . Make sure to read the guidelines thoroughly before you start writing. This will help you understand the requirements and expectations of the funding agency.  
• Use clear, concise language . Avoid using technical jargon and complex language. Write in a way that is easy to understand and conveys your ideas clearly. It’s important to note that grant reviewers are not likely to be domain experts in your field.  
• Show, don’t tell . Use specific examples and evidence to support your claims. This will help to make your grant proposal more convincing.  
• Get feedback . Ask colleagues, mentors, or other experts to review your proposal and provide feedback. This will help you identify any weaknesses or areas for improvement.  

Conclusion  

Writing a successful grant proposal is an important skill for any researcher. By following the key criteria and tips outlined in this guide, you can increase your chances of securing funding for your research. Remember to be clear, concise, and innovative in your writing, and to address any potential weaknesses in your proposal. With a well-written grant proposal, you can make your research goals a reality.  

If you are looking for help with your grant application, come talk to us at GrantDesk. We have grant experts who are ready to help you get the research funding you need.  

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Grant Proposals (or Give me the money!)

What this handout is about.

This handout will help you write and revise grant proposals for research funding in all academic disciplines (sciences, social sciences, humanities, and the arts). It’s targeted primarily to graduate students and faculty, although it will also be helpful to undergraduate students who are seeking funding for research (e.g. for a senior thesis).

The grant writing process

A grant proposal or application is a document or set of documents that is submitted to an organization with the explicit intent of securing funding for a research project. Grant writing varies widely across the disciplines, and research intended for epistemological purposes (philosophy or the arts) rests on very different assumptions than research intended for practical applications (medicine or social policy research). Nonetheless, this handout attempts to provide a general introduction to grant writing across the disciplines.

Before you begin writing your proposal, you need to know what kind of research you will be doing and why. You may have a topic or experiment in mind, but taking the time to define what your ultimate purpose is can be essential to convincing others to fund that project. Although some scholars in the humanities and arts may not have thought about their projects in terms of research design, hypotheses, research questions, or results, reviewers and funding agencies expect you to frame your project in these terms. You may also find that thinking about your project in these terms reveals new aspects of it to you.

Writing successful grant applications is a long process that begins with an idea. Although many people think of grant writing as a linear process (from idea to proposal to award), it is a circular process. Many people start by defining their research question or questions. What knowledge or information will be gained as a direct result of your project? Why is undertaking your research important in a broader sense? You will need to explicitly communicate this purpose to the committee reviewing your application. This is easier when you know what you plan to achieve before you begin the writing process.

Diagram 1 below provides an overview of the grant writing process and may help you plan your proposal development.

Applicants must write grant proposals, submit them, receive notice of acceptance or rejection, and then revise their proposals. Unsuccessful grant applicants must revise and resubmit their proposals during the next funding cycle. Successful grant applications and the resulting research lead to ideas for further research and new grant proposals.

Cultivating an ongoing, positive relationship with funding agencies may lead to additional grants down the road. Thus, make sure you file progress reports and final reports in a timely and professional manner. Although some successful grant applicants may fear that funding agencies will reject future proposals because they’ve already received “enough” funding, the truth is that money follows money. Individuals or projects awarded grants in the past are more competitive and thus more likely to receive funding in the future.

Some general tips

• Begin early.
• Apply early and often.
• Don’t forget to include a cover letter with your application.
• Answer all questions. (Pre-empt all unstated questions.)
• If rejected, revise your proposal and apply again.
• Give them what they want. Follow the application guidelines exactly.
• Be explicit and specific.
• Be realistic in designing the project.
• Make explicit the connections between your research questions and objectives, your objectives and methods, your methods and results, and your results and dissemination plan.
• Follow the application guidelines exactly. (We have repeated this tip because it is very, very important.)

Before you start writing

Identify your needs and focus.

First, identify your needs. Answering the following questions may help you:

• Are you undertaking preliminary or pilot research in order to develop a full-blown research agenda?
• Are you seeking funding for dissertation research? Pre-dissertation research? Postdoctoral research? Archival research? Experimental research? Fieldwork?
• Are you seeking a stipend so that you can write a dissertation or book? Polish a manuscript?
• Do you want a fellowship in residence at an institution that will offer some programmatic support or other resources to enhance your project?
• Do you want funding for a large research project that will last for several years and involve multiple staff members?

Next, think about the focus of your research/project. Answering the following questions may help you narrow it down:

• What is the topic? Why is this topic important?
• What are the research questions that you’re trying to answer? What relevance do your research questions have?
• What are your hypotheses?
• What are your research methods?
• Why is your research/project important? What is its significance?
• Do you plan on using quantitative methods? Qualitative methods? Both?
• Will you be undertaking experimental research? Clinical research?

Once you have identified your needs and focus, you can begin looking for prospective grants and funding agencies.

Finding prospective grants and funding agencies

Whether your proposal receives funding will rely in large part on whether your purpose and goals closely match the priorities of granting agencies. Locating possible grantors is a time consuming task, but in the long run it will yield the greatest benefits. Even if you have the most appealing research proposal in the world, if you don’t send it to the right institutions, then you’re unlikely to receive funding.

There are many sources of information about granting agencies and grant programs. Most universities and many schools within universities have Offices of Research, whose primary purpose is to support faculty and students in grant-seeking endeavors. These offices usually have libraries or resource centers to help people find prospective grants.

At UNC, the Research at Carolina office coordinates research support.

The Funding Information Portal offers a collection of databases and proposal development guidance.

The UNC School of Medicine and School of Public Health each have their own Office of Research.

Writing your proposal

The majority of grant programs recruit academic reviewers with knowledge of the disciplines and/or program areas of the grant. Thus, when writing your grant proposals, assume that you are addressing a colleague who is knowledgeable in the general area, but who does not necessarily know the details about your research questions.

Remember that most readers are lazy and will not respond well to a poorly organized, poorly written, or confusing proposal. Be sure to give readers what they want. Follow all the guidelines for the particular grant you are applying for. This may require you to reframe your project in a different light or language. Reframing your project to fit a specific grant’s requirements is a legitimate and necessary part of the process unless it will fundamentally change your project’s goals or outcomes.

Final decisions about which proposals are funded often come down to whether the proposal convinces the reviewer that the research project is well planned and feasible and whether the investigators are well qualified to execute it. Throughout the proposal, be as explicit as possible. Predict the questions that the reviewer may have and answer them. Przeworski and Salomon (1995) note that reviewers read with three questions in mind:

• What are we going to learn as a result of the proposed project that we do not know now? (goals, aims, and outcomes)
• Why is it worth knowing? (significance)
• How will we know that the conclusions are valid? (criteria for success) (2)

Be sure to answer these questions in your proposal. Keep in mind that reviewers may not read every word of your proposal. Your reviewer may only read the abstract, the sections on research design and methodology, the vitae, and the budget. Make these sections as clear and straightforward as possible.

The way you write your grant will tell the reviewers a lot about you (Reif-Lehrer 82). From reading your proposal, the reviewers will form an idea of who you are as a scholar, a researcher, and a person. They will decide whether you are creative, logical, analytical, up-to-date in the relevant literature of the field, and, most importantly, capable of executing the proposed project. Allow your discipline and its conventions to determine the general style of your writing, but allow your own voice and personality to come through. Be sure to clarify your project’s theoretical orientation.

Develop a general proposal and budget

Because most proposal writers seek funding from several different agencies or granting programs, it is a good idea to begin by developing a general grant proposal and budget. This general proposal is sometimes called a “white paper.” Your general proposal should explain your project to a general academic audience. Before you submit proposals to different grant programs, you will tailor a specific proposal to their guidelines and priorities.

Organizing your proposal

Although each funding agency will have its own (usually very specific) requirements, there are several elements of a proposal that are fairly standard, and they often come in the following order:

• Introduction (statement of the problem, purpose of research or goals, and significance of research)

Literature review

• Project narrative (methods, procedures, objectives, outcomes or deliverables, evaluation, and dissemination)
• Budget and budget justification

Format the proposal so that it is easy to read. Use headings to break the proposal up into sections. If it is long, include a table of contents with page numbers.

The title page usually includes a brief yet explicit title for the research project, the names of the principal investigator(s), the institutional affiliation of the applicants (the department and university), name and address of the granting agency, project dates, amount of funding requested, and signatures of university personnel authorizing the proposal (when necessary). Most funding agencies have specific requirements for the title page; make sure to follow them.

The abstract provides readers with their first impression of your project. To remind themselves of your proposal, readers may glance at your abstract when making their final recommendations, so it may also serve as their last impression of your project. The abstract should explain the key elements of your research project in the future tense. Most abstracts state: (1) the general purpose, (2) specific goals, (3) research design, (4) methods, and (5) significance (contribution and rationale). Be as explicit as possible in your abstract. Use statements such as, “The objective of this study is to …”

Introduction

The introduction should cover the key elements of your proposal, including a statement of the problem, the purpose of research, research goals or objectives, and significance of the research. The statement of problem should provide a background and rationale for the project and establish the need and relevance of the research. How is your project different from previous research on the same topic? Will you be using new methodologies or covering new theoretical territory? The research goals or objectives should identify the anticipated outcomes of the research and should match up to the needs identified in the statement of problem. List only the principle goal(s) or objective(s) of your research and save sub-objectives for the project narrative.

Many proposals require a literature review. Reviewers want to know whether you’ve done the necessary preliminary research to undertake your project. Literature reviews should be selective and critical, not exhaustive. Reviewers want to see your evaluation of pertinent works. For more information, see our handout on literature reviews .

Project narrative

The project narrative provides the meat of your proposal and may require several subsections. The project narrative should supply all the details of the project, including a detailed statement of problem, research objectives or goals, hypotheses, methods, procedures, outcomes or deliverables, and evaluation and dissemination of the research.

For the project narrative, pre-empt and/or answer all of the reviewers’ questions. Don’t leave them wondering about anything. For example, if you propose to conduct unstructured interviews with open-ended questions, be sure you’ve explained why this methodology is best suited to the specific research questions in your proposal. Or, if you’re using item response theory rather than classical test theory to verify the validity of your survey instrument, explain the advantages of this innovative methodology. Or, if you need to travel to Valdez, Alaska to access historical archives at the Valdez Museum, make it clear what documents you hope to find and why they are relevant to your historical novel on the ’98ers in the Alaskan Gold Rush.

Clearly and explicitly state the connections between your research objectives, research questions, hypotheses, methodologies, and outcomes. As the requirements for a strong project narrative vary widely by discipline, consult a discipline-specific guide to grant writing for some additional advice.

Explain staffing requirements in detail and make sure that staffing makes sense. Be very explicit about the skill sets of the personnel already in place (you will probably include their Curriculum Vitae as part of the proposal). Explain the necessary skill sets and functions of personnel you will recruit. To minimize expenses, phase out personnel who are not relevant to later phases of a project.

The budget spells out project costs and usually consists of a spreadsheet or table with the budget detailed as line items and a budget narrative (also known as a budget justification) that explains the various expenses. Even when proposal guidelines do not specifically mention a narrative, be sure to include a one or two page explanation of the budget. To see a sample budget, turn to Example #1 at the end of this handout.

Consider including an exhaustive budget for your project, even if it exceeds the normal grant size of a particular funding organization. Simply make it clear that you are seeking additional funding from other sources. This technique will make it easier for you to combine awards down the road should you have the good fortune of receiving multiple grants.

Make sure that all budget items meet the funding agency’s requirements. For example, all U.S. government agencies have strict requirements for airline travel. Be sure the cost of the airline travel in your budget meets their requirements. If a line item falls outside an agency’s requirements (e.g. some organizations will not cover equipment purchases or other capital expenses), explain in the budget justification that other grant sources will pay for the item.

Many universities require that indirect costs (overhead) be added to grants that they administer. Check with the appropriate offices to find out what the standard (or required) rates are for overhead. Pass a draft budget by the university officer in charge of grant administration for assistance with indirect costs and costs not directly associated with research (e.g. facilities use charges).

Furthermore, make sure you factor in the estimated taxes applicable for your case. Depending on the categories of expenses and your particular circumstances (whether you are a foreign national, for example), estimated tax rates may differ. You can consult respective departmental staff or university services, as well as professional tax assistants. For information on taxes on scholarships and fellowships, see https://cashier.unc.edu/student-tax-information/scholarships-fellowships/ .

Explain the timeframe for the research project in some detail. When will you begin and complete each step? It may be helpful to reviewers if you present a visual version of your timeline. For less complicated research, a table summarizing the timeline for the project will help reviewers understand and evaluate the planning and feasibility. See Example #2 at the end of this handout.

For multi-year research proposals with numerous procedures and a large staff, a time line diagram can help clarify the feasibility and planning of the study. See Example #3 at the end of this handout.

Revising your proposal

Strong grant proposals take a long time to develop. Start the process early and leave time to get feedback from several readers on different drafts. Seek out a variety of readers, both specialists in your research area and non-specialist colleagues. You may also want to request assistance from knowledgeable readers on specific areas of your proposal. For example, you may want to schedule a meeting with a statistician to help revise your methodology section. Don’t hesitate to seek out specialized assistance from the relevant research offices on your campus. At UNC, the Odum Institute provides a variety of services to graduate students and faculty in the social sciences.

In your revision and editing, ask your readers to give careful consideration to whether you’ve made explicit the connections between your research objectives and methodology. Here are some example questions:

• Have you presented a compelling case?
• Have you made your hypotheses explicit?
• Does your project seem feasible? Is it overly ambitious? Does it have other weaknesses?
• Have you stated the means that grantors can use to evaluate the success of your project after you’ve executed it?

If a granting agency lists particular criteria used for rating and evaluating proposals, be sure to share these with your own reviewers.

Example #1. Sample Budget

Jet travel $6,100 This estimate is based on the commercial high season rate for jet economy travel on Sabena Belgian Airlines. No U.S. carriers fly to Kigali, Rwanda. Sabena has student fare tickets available which will be significantly less expensive (approximately $2,000).

Maintenance allowance $22,788 Based on the Fulbright-Hays Maintenance Allowances published in the grant application guide.

Research assistant/translator $4,800 The research assistant/translator will be a native (and primary) speaker of Kinya-rwanda with at least a four-year university degree. They will accompany the primary investigator during life history interviews to provide assistance in comprehension. In addition, they will provide commentary, explanations, and observations to facilitate the primary investigator’s participant observation. During the first phase of the project in Kigali, the research assistant will work forty hours a week and occasional overtime as needed. During phases two and three in rural Rwanda, the assistant will stay with the investigator overnight in the field when necessary. The salary of $400 per month is based on the average pay rate for individuals with similar qualifications working for international NGO’s in Rwanda.

Transportation within country, phase one $1,200 The primary investigator and research assistant will need regular transportation within Kigali by bus and taxi. The average taxi fare in Kigali is $6-8 and bus fare is $.15. This figure is based on an average of $10 per day in transportation costs during the first project phase.

Transportation within country, phases two and three $12,000 Project personnel will also require regular transportation between rural field sites. If it is not possible to remain overnight, daily trips will be necessary. The average rental rate for a 4×4 vehicle in Rwanda is $130 per day. This estimate is based on an average of $50 per day in transportation costs for the second and third project phases. These costs could be reduced if an arrangement could be made with either a government ministry or international aid agency for transportation assistance.

Email $720 The rate for email service from RwandaTel (the only service provider in Rwanda) is $60 per month. Email access is vital for receiving news reports on Rwanda and the region as well as for staying in contact with dissertation committee members and advisors in the United States.

Audiocassette tapes $400 Audiocassette tapes will be necessary for recording life history interviews, musical performances, community events, story telling, and other pertinent data.

Photographic & slide film $100 Photographic and slide film will be necessary to document visual data such as landscape, environment, marriages, funerals, community events, etc.

Laptop computer $2,895 A laptop computer will be necessary for recording observations, thoughts, and analysis during research project. Price listed is a special offer to UNC students through the Carolina Computing Initiative.

NUD*IST 4.0 software $373.00 NUD*IST, “Nonnumerical, Unstructured Data, Indexing, Searching, and Theorizing,” is necessary for cataloging, indexing, and managing field notes both during and following the field research phase. The program will assist in cataloging themes that emerge during the life history interviews.

Administrative fee $100 Fee set by Fulbright-Hays for the sponsoring institution.

Example #2: Project Timeline in Table Format

Example #3: Project Timeline in Chart Format

Some closing advice

Some of us may feel ashamed or embarrassed about asking for money or promoting ourselves. Often, these feelings have more to do with our own insecurities than with problems in the tone or style of our writing. If you’re having trouble because of these types of hang-ups, the most important thing to keep in mind is that it never hurts to ask. If you never ask for the money, they’ll never give you the money. Besides, the worst thing they can do is say no.

UNC resources for proposal writing

Research at Carolina http://research.unc.edu

The Odum Institute for Research in the Social Sciences https://odum.unc.edu/

UNC Medical School Office of Research https://www.med.unc.edu/oor

UNC School of Public Health Office of Research http://www.sph.unc.edu/research/

Works consulted

We consulted these works while writing this handout. This is not a comprehensive list of resources on the handout’s topic, and we encourage you to do your own research to find additional publications. Please do not use this list as a model for the format of your own reference list, as it may not match the citation style you are using. For guidance on formatting citations, please see the UNC Libraries citation tutorial . We revise these tips periodically and welcome feedback.

Holloway, Brian R. 2003. Proposal Writing Across the Disciplines. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Prentice Hall.

Levine, S. Joseph. “Guide for Writing a Funding Proposal.” http://www.learnerassociates.net/proposal/ .

Locke, Lawrence F., Waneen Wyrick Spirduso, and Stephen J. Silverman. 2014. Proposals That Work . Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

Przeworski, Adam, and Frank Salomon. 2012. “Some Candid Suggestions on the Art of Writing Proposals.” Social Science Research Council. https://s3.amazonaws.com/ssrc-cdn2/art-of-writing-proposals-dsd-e-56b50ef814f12.pdf .

Reif-Lehrer, Liane. 1989. Writing a Successful Grant Application . Boston: Jones and Bartlett Publishers.

Wiggins, Beverly. 2002. “Funding and Proposal Writing for Social Science Faculty and Graduate Student Research.” Chapel Hill: Howard W. Odum Institute for Research in Social Science. 2 Feb. 2004. http://www2.irss.unc.edu/irss/shortcourses/wigginshandouts/granthandout.pdf.

You may reproduce it for non-commercial use if you use the entire handout and attribute the source: The Writing Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

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• CAREER FEATURE
• 20 December 2019

Secrets to writing a winning grant

• Emily Sohn 0

Emily Sohn is a freelance journalist in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

You can also search for this author in PubMed   Google Scholar

When Kylie Ball begins a grant-writing workshop, she often alludes to the funding successes and failures that she has experienced in her career. “I say, ‘I’ve attracted more than $25 million in grant funding and have had more than 60 competitive grants funded. But I’ve also had probably twice as many rejected.’ A lot of early-career researchers often find those rejections really tough to take. But I actually think you learn so much from the rejected grants.”

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Your Guide to Writing Research Funding Applications

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Grant funding is critical for all types of research. Without it, many projects wouldn’t even get off the ground, so what’s the key to securing the right funding? The not-so-simple answer: a stellar grant application.

If you’ve ever wondered how to write a successful proposal — or if you’re looking for some new resources and a few refresher tips — we have the right resource for you. In this comprehensive guide, we explore all types of grant funding opportunities, provide a step-by-step proposal breakdown and offer insider tips for ultimate grant application success.

The information in this guide was provided by Mike Hendrickson, Project Manager at BrainXell, Inc; Dr. Shannon M. Lauberth, Associate Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics at Northwestern University; Dr. Darshan Sapkota, Assistant Professor of Biological Sciences at the University of Texas at Dallas; and Dr. Ward Tucker, Director of Research and Development at BioSentinel, Inc.

Find a Grant: What Opportunities Are Available?

This isn’t a comprehensive list, but these are the most popular types of grant funding opportunities.

National Institutes of Health (NIH)

The National Institutes of Health provides more than $32 billion each year for biomedical research funding. The NIH grants and funding opportunities page publishes opportunities daily and issues a table of contents weekly. You can also subscribe to a weekly email for updates.

National Science Foundation (NSF)

The National Science Foundation funds approximately 25% of all federally supported research in higher education. The NSF is divided into a number of specific research areas , including:

• Biological Sciences
• Computer and Information Science and Engineering
• Education and Human Resources
• Engineering
• Environmental Research and Education
• Geosciences
• Integrative Activities
• International Science and Engineering
• Mathematical and Physical Sciences
• Social, Behavioral and Economic Sciences

You can search for NSF funding opportunities here .

Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR)

SBIR and STTR grants are geared toward small U.S. businesses that are looking for funding opportunities in research or research and development “with the potential for commercialization.” Eligible businesses must be for-profit, located in the United States, and more than 50% owned and controlled by one or more U.S. citizens. The company must also have fewer than 500 employees.

Non-Federal Agencies & Foundations

Many grant opportunities are available through non-federal avenues. This is just a sample of some of the agencies and foundations that provide these types of funding opportunities.

• Alliance for Cancer Gene Therapy
• Alzheimer’s Association
• American Federation for Aging Research
• American Heart Association
• American Cancer Society
• American Chemical Society
• American Diabetes Association
• Foundation for Women’s Wellness
• March of Dimes

Early Stage Investigator Awards

An early stage investigato r is “a new investigator who has completed his or her terminal research degree or medical residency — whichever date is later — within the past 10 years and has not yet competed successfully for a substantial, competing NIH research grant.”

• American Cancer Society Research Scholar Grants
• Pew Scholar Program
• Sidney Kimmel Foundation
• NIH New & Early Stage Investigator Program

Step-By-Step Grant Proposal & Application Breakdown

Once you’ve found your grant opportunity, it’s time to take action. Here’s what you need to know:

1. Build a timeline.

There are a lot of moving parts in the application process, so the first step is to create a timeline. You want to allow yourself enough time to gather information and write the proposal without feeling rushed. Plus, you need to factor in time for editing and internal reviews. Write down the due date of the application and work backwards. Remember, it’s always best to err on the side of having too much time rather than not enough.

2. Create a robust outline.

This is the most important part of the application process, and the more detail, the better. Be specific in your questions, hypothesis, aims and goals. Detail your experiments and expected outcomes.

3. Gather your appropriate tools and resources.

Before you begin writing, make sure you gather everything in one place. If you need to request certain documents, do so now. Create a folder on your computer that houses everything related to your grant application — and make sure to back up your files if you aren’t using Google or another cloud-based provider. It sounds like a simple reminder, but the last thing you want is to lose all your hard work.

4. Read through the application instructions carefully and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Familiarize yourself with the request, rules and requirements.

Read through everything , noting any documents you need to include. Every document that is requested must be included in the application. And if you have any questions about the process or you’re looking for clarification on a particular item, reach out to the program officer. It’s also better to ask questions as early as possible in the process.

5. Include strong preliminary data.

Even if grant requests say it is not necessary to include any data, you are unlikely to be funded if you don’t include any preliminary data. It is a major piece of any application. The stronger the data, the better shot you have of receiving funding.

6. Write, write, write!

Now it’s time to put pen to paper, so to speak. Here are some important tips to keep in mind during this important process:

• Be realistic: If you’re applying for a Phase 1 grant, it’s important to remember that Phase 1 is supposed to be “proof of concept” — in other words, not product development. Some people try to squeeze five years worth of work into one year, but you need to be realistic. Think carefully, and be modest about your objectives. If you end up applying for a Phase 2 grant, the reviewers will look at your goals and objectives for Phase 1. If you didn’t deliver then, there’s a good chance your Phase 2 proposal will be rejected.
• Tell a story. With any type of good writing, you want to build a case — in other words, tell a story. Start with an introduction that hooks the audience. Talk about the wider problem you’re hoping to explore and why you are the right person for the job. Explain your hypothesis and how you plan to tackle it.
• Include two or three specific aims. This is the heart of the grant. Again, be reasonable. Don’t bite off more than you can chew in order to seem overly ambitious. Include two or three challenging yet exciting aims (or goals) that you believe are doable in the set amount of time. Include clear objectives and clear milestones of success.
• Be mindful of your language. Be specific, informative and engaging but also concise. Use active voice and strong verbs like “determine and distinguish.” Quantify information or data.
• Don’t get too technical or use too much jargon. Remember, you know your field inside and out, but your reviewers in some cases may not. Make your application clear and readable. Write for an educated but diverse audience.
• Include preliminary data. It’s important, so it bears repeating!
• Add pictures, illustrations or graphics. No one wants to read a 15-page proposal of extremely dense text. Break up your application with a few visuals.

7. Make sure the budget matches what is allocated.

It sounds obvious, but don’t ask for more than the set budget amount. If you work at a higher education institution, you will likely work with a research office on the budget.

8. Have multiple people review your application.

Once you’ve written your grant proposal (congratulations!), you want to seek out multiple reviewers before you click submit. These reviewers should be inside your company, organization or institution, or experts in your field; you may also benefit from review by non-experts. It’s important to give your reviewers plenty of time, too. Here are some good questions to ask:

• Is the proposal clear and concise?
• Do I need more data?
• Are any parts confusing or in need of additional explanation?
• Am I telling an interesting story?
• Could I add any other visuals?

9. Give yourself enough time to familiarize yourself with the application portal — and then submit!

If you work with a research office, they will upload the application on your behalf. If you don’t, you want to make sure you familiarize yourself with the application portal before your deadline.

Insider Tips for Grant Writing Experience & Creating a Standout Application

We spoke to the experts, and here’s what they had to say:

• Talk to the program officers early and often. There are people who don’t put the time and energy into reviewing the instructions, rules and requirements of a grant application. Make sure you understand everything, and if you don’t, talk to the program officers. Remember — you don’t have to figure out everything by yourself!
• Don’t break the rules. If the application requires certain documents, make sure to include them.
• Don’t be “non-responsive.” This is grant proposal-speak for not answering a question that is asked of you. Reviewers will take note.
• Put yourself in the shoes of a reviewer. What questions will the reviewers have, and how can you answer them ahead of time? Ideally you want to address these questions with preliminary data. If you don’t have the data, it’s important to at least address those questions in your proposal — and how you plan to tackle them.
• Don’t save everything until the last minute. There’s a very good chance you heard this mantra in high school and college — and it still rings true.
• Consider hiring someone who can handle the grant application process. If you have the budget, it may be valuable to hire a person who can handle the administrative and logistical aspects of the application process. Some companies and organizations also hire part-time or full-time grant writers to handle the actual proposal writing.
• Explore all types of funding opportunities. In addition to traditional federal agencies like NIH and NSF that routinely offer grants, you should explore any internal funding opportunities for faculty and researchers. Sign up for as many email lists, newsletters and daily grant alert notifications from federal and non-federal agencies as possible. If you work in an academic setting, ask your department chair about these opportunities.
• Simultaneous submissions are allowed. It’s just illegal to accept funding from two different institutions for the same work.

Ask to help out on a grant application. Grant writing is a skill that is honed with time and experience, and the best way to get better is to practice. Review applications that your colleagues have been working on or ask them if you can help out in any way. Practice makes perfect.

• The Grant Application Writer’s Workbook: It’s one of the best tools and a resource you’ll return to again and again.
• Ask to participate in a review committee. This will give you the opportunity to see grant applications from a different perspective, which will be beneficial in your own funding quests.
• Attend grant writing workshops. This is another important way to gain insight and experience.
• Remember the big picture. As Shannon Lauberth, associate professor at Northwestern University, explains: “Remember that the exercise of writing a grant helps you to carve out clear directions for your lab.”

Grant Application Resources

This is not an exhaustive list, but here are some helpful tools and resources you may want to explore or bookmark:

• Fundamentals of the NIH Grant Process & Need to Know Resources [VIDEO]
• The Grant Application Writer’s Workbook
• NIH Grants Process Overview 
• NSF Funding Search
• NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts
• SMARTS — Email alert system about funding opportunities

Specific Questions About Lab Equipment?

D.A.I. Scientific works closely with a variety of federally funded organizations, private businesses and higher education institutions to provide products and services to analytical laboratories in the pharmaceutical, educational, biotechnology and clinical industries. If you’re writing a grant application and need a budgetary quote for equipment, contact us today. Our knowledgeable experts would be happy to help.

Jamie is the regional sales manager of DAI Scientific and leads a team of 13 equipment sales consultants. His background includes 20 years of experience working with customers in academic, clinical, industrial and bio/pharma laboratories.

Jamie works with architects, engineers and lab planners to identify the correct equipment for each user’s specific needs. He also leverages his previous role as a DAI sales representative to help his sales consultants work with customers to ensure informed decisions and customer satisfaction. He stays involved in recent research by continuously attending seminars and educating himself on the products and industries he serves.

Jamie holds a bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.

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Research Grant Preparation: Tips and Resources

Grant writing is a critical, albeit time-consuming, part of every scientist’s job.  It is always Grant Writing Time! How often did you end up rushing at the last moment to review and perfect that grant application just a few hours before the deadline?

As painful as this can be, securing research grants is essential to keep your research moving forward. When you prepare a grant application, there are several important points that should be included besides the scientific logics and study plans. For example, it is critical to emphasize the contribution of your study to the research field, in addition to clearly describe the well-targeted specific aims and the data-oriented research strategy with alternative approaches. Another key point is “Technology and Innovation”.  

If you are looking for innovative technology to incorporate in your research, transcriptome analysis with the spatial context using GeoMx® Digital Spatial Profiler (DSP) and nCounter® technology would be an excellent choice.

To prepare a grant application, NanoString can help you in various ways, such as providing resources on our Grant Support webpage where you can find the Grant Support Packages, the current list of available grants, funding sources, publication references, helpful links, and grant writing books. Also, check out the Top 5 Tips to Prepare a Grant Application below.  

Top 5 Tips to Prepare a Grant Application

Tip 1:   Find funding opportunities that fit the specific aims of your study.

-> Check the “Search Current Funding Opportunities” on the Grant Support webpage .

Downloadable grant opportunity lists are available for research in Oncology and Neuroscience. For other research areas, search the information from funding institutions listed in the “Funding Sources” and “Helpful Links” on the Grant Support webpage .

Tip 2:   Understand the requirements for the grant application.  

-> Check the description and eligibility for each grant included in the grant opportunity lists. For further details, search the information from funding institutions listed in the “Funding Sources” and “Helpful Links” on the Grant Support webpage .

If you are unsure about the application requirements or the fit of your research plans to the specific grant program, don’t hesitate to discuss with a program officer (NIH) or an administrator of the funding institution. 

Tip 3:   Apply for an instrumentation grant if you are interested in acquiring the GeoMx® DSP and nCounter® systems. 

Instrumentation grants (e.g. Shared Instrumentation Program, High-End Instrumentation Grant) are designed to fund a purchase or upgrade of expensive, specialized, commercially available instruments or integrated systems. To apply for an instrumentation grant, you first need to find collaborators in your research center/institution to share the instruments or design an extensive collaborative research study.   

-> The following information is available on the Grant Support webpage .

• Downloadable GeoMx DSP Grant Support Package, nCounter System Grant Support Information: these packages include the descriptions and figures of the systems, sample types and supporting data, nSolver analysis; all ready to be included in your application.  
• nCounter and GeoMx DSP publications for references

Other helpful information on our website:

• nCounter systems
• For further information, contact us by clicking the “Need Help?” tab on the Grant Support webpage .

Tip 4:  Emphasize the critical unmet needs in the field, as well as high impact and innovation of your study.

In a research grant application, it is important to emphasize the critical unmet needs in the field, as well as high impact and innovation of your study. To show the innovativeness of your research, you can include NanoString Technologies products in the application.

-> Check the Grant Support Packages and webpages describing the GeoMx DSP and nCounter systems, Gene Expression Panels, Data Analysis Service, and other consumables.

• Downloadable GeoMx DSP Grant Support Package, nCounter System Grant Support Information

These packages include the descriptions and figures of the systems, sample types and supporting data, nSolver analysis; all ready to be included in your application.  

• Gene Expression Panels
• GeoMx Assays
• Data Analysis Service

Tip 5:   Request a quote for NanoString systems, products, and services in order to budget your study and to include in your grant application.

• Request a quote at:  [email protected]  

EXTRA TIP:  Need pilot data on GeoMx Digital Spatial Profiler to add to your application?

NanoString offers the DSP Technology Access Program(TAP) which is designed to rapidly evaluate spatial RNA and protein applications using the GeoMx® Digital Spatial Profiler.  For more information: click here

When you have questions or need further information, contact us by clicking the “Need Help?” tab on the Grant Support webpage . We are here for you!

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• U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
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Tips for New NIH Research Grant Applicants

On this page.

• In the Beginning
• Preparation
• Starting to Write
• After Submitting Your Application

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• Learn about the institutional support that is available to you (e.g., a startup package).
• Consider other potential funding sources (e.g., private foundations).
• Seek mentoring. Ask three senior colleagues to act as your “grant committee.” Write one page of three to five specific aims and discuss these with the committee before beginning to write the application.
• Check NCCIH's current research interests and priorities .
• Know the literature, issues, questions, and controversies in your area.
• Avoid overlap with already funded research. NIH RePORTER is a searchable database of federally (including NCCIH-) funded biomedical research projects.
• Discuss your ideas with the NCCIH Program Director responsible for your area of scientific interest.

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• Establish your independence as an investigator through publishing articles.
• Generate and collect preliminary data.
• Enlist collaborators and include letters of commitment that clearly spell out the collaborations in your proposal.
• Look at successful proposals of colleagues in your field (preferable) or review a successful application .

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• Prepare your proposal early—well before the deadline. Do not rush! The standard NIH receipt dates apply for most applications. If you are responding to an initiative (Request for Applications (RFA) or Program Announcement (PA, PAR or PAS), it may have different deadlines—read the text of the initiative carefully. Review NCCIH-sponsored initiatives .
• Place your work in perspective. Cite others. If there are two camps, cite both sides.
• Be focused. Use a clear and concise writing style.
• Explain your rationale for hypothesis, design, and methods. Does your literature review lead logically to the hypotheses and design of your research proposal? Are the specific aims and research plan you propose the best way to test your hypotheses?
• Discuss potential problems and pitfalls. Describe alternate strategies.
• Provide a timeline.
• Carefully consider your funding needs. Start with personnel—explain fully the role of each person on the grant. Review the NIH modular grant rules for budgets less than $250,000 direct costs. These specify that you must request funds in $25,000 modules. They do not permit increments for inflation in the “out-years.” Reviewers will judge your competence, in part, by how well your funding request matches the scope of the project.
• Proofread! Have zero tolerance for typographical errors, misspellings, or sloppy formatting. Make sure you've followed the format specifications in the application instructions .
• Critique your own proposal.
• Have others not involved in writing your proposal critique and proofread it.

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• You should receive notification of receipt, and of the Scientific Review Administrator (SRA) assignment and contact information within a month of the receipt date. Once you have submitted an application, questions should be directed to the assigned SRA.
• Scientific review groups meet to discuss and score applications within six months of the receipt date. Priority scores are sent to applicants within two weeks of the review group meeting and summary statements (including reviewers' critiques) are sent within ten weeks. You can also read the summary statement through eCommons .
• If you are not funded the first time around, read the reviewers' critiques and revise your application carefully. Consult your mentors and Program Director for advice.

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Links to general information on biomedical and CAM research and on the NIH awards process:

• Application forms and Instructions
• Standard receipt dates
• NIH/NCCIH Research Policies
• Applicant Resources from CSR
• Review Groups/CSR Study Sections
• NCCIH contacts

Preparing a Good Research Grant Application

• Living reference work entry
• First Online: 30 May 2024
• Cite this living reference work entry

• Nyaluma N. Wagala 5 ,
• Gian Andrea Lucidi 5 , 6 ,
• Ehab M. Nazzal 5 ,
• Brian M. Godshaw 5 &
• Volker Musahl 5  

This chapter provides a comprehensive guide to crafting a high-quality grant proposal for clinicians seeking funding for research endeavors. Beginning with the importance of meticulous planning and understanding the application process, it offers insights into key sections such as specific aims, significance, innovation, approach, and key personnel. Emphasis is placed on conciseness, clarity, and thoroughness in presenting the research plan, supported by effective literature review and justification of innovation. It also elucidates the significance of biosketches and provides an overview of the grant review process, particularly focusing on the criteria evaluated by reviewers. This chapter concludes with essential take-home messages emphasizing organization, clarity, collaboration, and familiarity with the application and review procedures to enhance the prospects of successful funding acquisition.

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CaW L, Janey. How to write a winning clinical research proposal? In: Musahl VKJ, Hirschmann M, Ayeni O, Marx G, Koh J, Nakamura N, editors. Basic methods handbook for clinical orthopaedic research (in press). Berlin: Springer; 2019. p. 249–54.

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Proctor EK, Powell BJ, Baumann AA, et al. Writing implementation research grant proposals: ten key ingredients. Implement Sci. 2012;7:96.

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Kan P, Mokin M, Mack WJ, et al. Strategies for writing a successful National Institutes of Health grant proposal for the early-career neurointerventionalist. J Neurointerv Surg. 2020; https://doi.org/10.1136/neurintsurg-2020-016964 .

Monte AA, Libby AM. Introduction to the specific aims page of a grant proposal. Acad Emerg Med. 2018;25:1042–7.

https://grants.nih.gov/grants/how-to-apply-application-guide.html

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Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, UPMC Freddie Fu Sports Medicine Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA

Nyaluma N. Wagala, Gian Andrea Lucidi, Ehab M. Nazzal, Brian M. Godshaw & Volker Musahl

IIa Clinica, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Bologna, Italy

Gian Andrea Lucidi

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FIFA Medical Centre of Excellence, Clínica Espregueira, Porto, Portugal

João Espregueira-Mendes

Dept. Orthopaedics, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Mölndal, Sweden

Jón Karlsson

UPMC Freddie Fu SportsMed Ctr, Orth Surg, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA

Volker Musahl

McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada

Olufemi R. Ayeni

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UPMC Freddie Fu Sports Medicine Center, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA

Volker Musahl MD

Division of Orthopaedic Surgery, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada

Mohit Bhandari

Mark R. Neaman Family Chair of Orthopaedic Surgery and Director, Orthopaedic & Spine Institute, NorthShore University HealthSystem, Skokie IL, Skokie, IL, USA

Jason L. Koh

Sports Clinic, Centre Hospitalier de Luxembourg – Clinique d’Eich, Luxembourg City, Luxembourg

Caroline Mouton

Luxembourg Institute of Research in Orthopaedics, Sports Medicine and Science (LIROMS), Luxembourg City, Luxembourg

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Wagala, N.N., Lucidi, G.A., Nazzal, E.M., Godshaw, B.M., Musahl, V. (2024). Preparing a Good Research Grant Application. In: Espregueira-Mendes, J., Karlsson, J., Musahl, V., Ayeni, O.R. (eds) Orthopaedic Sports Medicine. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-65430-6_76-1

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DOI : https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-65430-6_76-1

Received : 26 November 2021

Accepted : 01 April 2024

Published : 30 May 2024

Publisher Name : Springer, Cham

Print ISBN : 978-3-030-65430-6

Online ISBN : 978-3-030-65430-6

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How to Write Effective Grants for Research Funding

Winning funding has become a crucial aspect of ‘success’ for researchers. Academics are often evaluated by universities and research institutes based on their publications and grant income, with the weight of each varying by country.

Academics typically write grant applications to secure funding for:

For researchers, dealing with the arduous and detailed process of grant writing and making these odds work in your favor is essential for your career progression, regardless of your current position on the academic ladder.

Table of Contents

What Reviewers Look for in Research Funding Applications: A Guide to Grant Writing

Additionally, some applicants struggle to justify the importance of their proposed studies.

While various elements contribute to the success of an application, reviewers ultimately prioritize the scientific merit of the proposal. This merit is assessed based on several key criteria:

Influence in the Field of Research

Innovating beyond current standards, well-reasoned approach.

Is the project designed with a comprehensive strategy that includes an unbiased approach, an understanding of potential obstacles, alternative methods, and clearly defined milestones?

 Grant Writing Tips to Improve Your Grant Applications

Crafting an excellent grant application and navigating the grant writing process can pose challenges. It requires thorough research and utilizing scientifically supported insights to bolster your proposal.

Align with the Grant Requirements

This may seem like a simple housekeeping step, but it can significantly impact reviewers by demonstrating that you have tailored your application to meet the specific requirements and expectations of the funding body.

Emphasize the Importance of Your Proposal

Seek early feedback on your application.

Getting a thorough critique of your grant application early in the writing process from friends, colleagues, or professional grant reviewers/editing services is crucial. This can help you break out of your thought patterns and biases, allowing you to reflect on your proposal from multiple perspectives.

Grant Writing Top Tip

This advice emphasizes the power of visuals in conveying messages, hypotheses, experiments, or data more effectively than words alone.

By using visuals strategically, you can save time, energy, and keep your proposal within the funding agency’s specified word count, making it more compelling and accessible to reviewers.

Understand Your Audience: Tailoring Grant Applications for Reviewers

Key elements for successful grant proposal writing.

When writing a grant application, regardless of the research area, several critical aspects can significantly enhance your chances of securing funding.

Clearly articulate what your research project aims to address and how it will be executed to achieve meaningful outcomes.

The Importance of Reviewing Recently Funded Proposals

By following the tips and strategies outlined in this guide, you can enhance your grant writing skills and increase your chances of securing funding for your valuable research projects. Remember to tailor your proposals to the specific requirements of each funding agency, use clear and compelling language, and leverage visuals when appropriate.

With perseverance and attention to detail, you can create grant applications that stand out and make a compelling case for the importance of your research.

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How to Write Successful Grant Applications: 5 Most Common Recommendations

• Author: Judy Mielke

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When it comes to writing successful grant applications, it seems that the internet is full of advice and recommendations. In addition to blog posts, the peer-reviewed scientific literature is also an abundant source of information. With all these information, how do you decide what is good advice?

While researching “how to write successful grant applications”, I came across the paper Recommendations for Writing Successful Grant Proposals by Jennifer Wisdom, Halley Riley and Nelly Myers, published in Academic Medicine , who took a rigorous scientific approach to addressing the topic of just exactly what it takes to write successful grant applications.

Wisdom and her co-authors performed a quantitative analysis and conducted an information synthesis of the scientific literature published on the topic of writing successful funding applications. The authors identified just over 1000 abstracts, of which 83 papers were selected for in-depth review and 53 fit the overall inclusion criteria. As a caveat, the authors noted that the advice provided in these papers are not necessarily evidence based but rather, are personal anecdotes and recommendations; however, the strength of the study lies in the number times a recommendation is made in each of these papers – another words, there is strength in numbers and the more times a certain advice is offered by different authors, the more likely for it to be a useful recommendation.

So, what are the recommendations for successful grant proposals? These recommendations, in order of frequency of occurrence, are as follows:

1. “Research and identify appropriate funding opportunities”

While there are thousands of public and private funders, not all of them may be the right fit for your research interests and your career stage. According to over 60% of authors in the 53 papers on successful research grant applications, taking the time to research the funder, understanding their goals and mission, and their current funding focus, are fundamental to successful grant applications. Not sure whether you might be eligible for funding or whether your study is of interest to the funder? Why not take the initiative to contact the funder directly and introduce yourself and your research?

Once you decide to apply for a grant, it pays to pay detailed attention to the request for proposal (RFP) ´s instructions. Being able to follow instructions may not be the deciding factor on whether your grant application is successful, but not being able to follow instructions is probably a sure way to have your grant applications declined.

2. “ Use key components of the proposal to persuade reviewers of the project’s significance and feasibility “

Research studies are seldom endeavors that can be achieved alone. More likely, successful research projects require substantial resources in addition to the research funding that you are applying for. For funders to fund your proposal, they need to know that you can deliver what you promise, based on the total resources that you have available. So, they would like to know about your work environment – whether the resources provided by your institution facilitate your research success. Funders would also like to know about the team that you work with – not only whether the skills are complementary, but also how you work with your collaborators.

Given that a very important resource is time, a study design that includes a clear timeline for study startup, data collection, data analysis and manuscript preparation, is part of every successful grant application.

Preliminary data provide evidence that your proposed study is feasible and of interest. So, include any preliminary data that you may have in your proposal and any documentation on ethical and regulatory compliance of your study, even if they are not explicitly requested by the funder.

3. “Describe proposed activities and their significance persuasively, clearly, and concisely.”

Just as the science of the study is important in a successful grant application, so is the way the information is communicated. Applications with poorly structured information and language errors, are unlikely to be funded. Equally unlikely are those applications that are full of jargons and acronyms. Ask yourself, if you have a pile of grant applications to go through, how could you get into the science if the sentences in front of you do not make sense?

4. “Seek advice from colleagues to help develop, clarify, and review the proposal.”

When writing anything, including grant proposals, we often get lost between the trees and lose sight of the forest. The easiest way to find your way again is to seek feedback. Especially important are feedback from mentors and colleagues who have previously received funding from the same funders, and those who are reviewers on similar grant panels. Keep in mind when preparing your proposal that you allow enough time to solicit and receive feedback – after all, your colleagues are doing you a favor, be respectful of their time.

5. “Keep the study design simple, logical, feasible, and appropriate for the research questions.”

Over 50% of the papers included in Wisdom et al.´s study suggested that “the research question and study aims should drive the methods proposed”, which is to say that using the right tool for the right job is important for grant proposal success. In addition to using the right tools, the study aims should be clear, concise, and feasible within the time frame proposed.

Over the past decades, increased economic pressure has led to reduced research funding in many countries, and the situation is further exacerbated these days by the COVID pandemic. This however doesn´t mean that applying for funding is a futile exercise but rather, it may be even more important, as most of the papers in Wisdom et al .´s study recommended, to identify the right funders that match your research needs. It may also be worthwhile to expand your horizons and explore funders that you have not previously engaged with, especially as many funders are also looking for multi-disciplinary expertise to strengthen their funded portfolio of research projects.

Your university research office or university library most likely have subscribed to research funding databases – while not all of them provide eligibility information that you can easily filter to find the right grants for you, they are nevertheless a useful starting point. Your learned society may also provide you with access to curated grant opportunities tailored to your subject area and your specific needs.

For researchers based in the USA, grants.gov is the central database for all federal funding, including funding from the NIH. For researchers in Europe, all European Union funding opportunities can be found at the EU Funding and Tender opportunities portal . For research funding in the UK, the UK Research and Innovation´s funding database includes all UK research councils´ funding opportunities. While many national research funders fund only research conducted in their own countries, many also fund international projects (see grant opportunities for researchers worldwide ). This is especially true for funders whose mandates pertain to particular diseases – after all, diseases usually do not respect borders and research talent can be found in all corners of the world.

Whether you are looking for postdoctoral fellowships or start-up research funding , now more than ever, it may be necessary to expand your funding radar. Why not sign up for a personalized grant opportunity alert to stay on top of the funding game and maximize your chances of success in your next grant application.

Wisdom, J. P., Riley, H., and Myers, N. Recommendations for Writing Successful Grant Proposals: An Information Synthesis. Academic Medicine, 2015, Vol 90 (12), 1720-1725 .

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Top Music Grants for Musicians & Indie Artists

Estimated reading time: 8 minutes

In these times where record label signings are practically nonexistent, indie artists need alternative methods of funding their careers. While there are plenty of ways for musicians to make money as indie artists , it’s true that musicians often must use their own money or crowdfund to complete an album. One outside funding option that many artists don’t always know about is finding a music grant. Grants can help artists fund recordings, tours, and pursue projects they might have considered frivolous due to lack of income, with the best part being that grants provide financial support that you don’t have to pay back.

Table of Contents: • What are music grants? • How can music grants help you? • Preparing for your grant application • Top music grants available for application • The submission process • Maximizing your chances of securing a music grant

What are music grants?

A grant is an award of money from an organization often for a specific purpose of use. Grants are gifts — not loans or investments, so there is no return or repayment expected. Music grants are available from private and public organizations. They can be very specific and aimed at certain demographics and genres, or sometimes are open to all. Music grants are often for producing a specific project or for a particular part of the process.

How can music grants help you?

Unless otherwise specified, grants for musicians can be applied to any of your expenses, including recording costs like studio time, paying musicians, and equipment rentals. Music grants can also fund tours, marketing and promotional expenses, and even music videos. You can use grant money to help your professional development into areas you’ve always wanted to explore, but maybe haven’t been able to afford to pursue.

Preparing for your grant application

So you’ve found a grant opportunity or music scholarship. How do you write a proposal that stands out, especially as an emerging artist?

Crafting a winning proposal

It’s crucial to put your best foot forward when applying for music grants, as the competition can be fierce. Be clear about what you propose to do with the money and have a clear vision of the artistic merit of your endeavor, along with what it will take to achieve it.

Many grant programs will require a written grant proposal along with your application. There is a specific format and style of presentation for grant proposals. In fact, there is an entire profession dedicated to writing them! You can learn the basic steps of grant writing online if you can’t hire a professional. Most grant proposals have a cover letter, executive summary, a statement of need that describes the problem you’re attempting to solve with your project, and a detailed action plan. Be sure to thoroughly research how to write grant proposals if you intend on writing it yourself, as your presentation will be evaluated as part of the process.

Budget planning

Part of your proposal will be a detailed budget for the grant funding. Keep your projections realistic, but don’t plan too close to the bone. It’s better to allocate a little more money than you need for each item than to come up short. Some of your typical line items will be detailed studio and manufacturing costs, promotional and marketing expenses, and living expenses. Go over your budget several times with an eagle eye, making sure you haven’t neglected any categories and that you’ve allocated enough money to ensure your project will be completed. Do your due diligence and compare prices before committing to an amount in the budget (this will require some research).

Top music grants available for application

If you’re not sure where to start in looking for these funding opportunities, we’ve got you covered. Discover important grant information from the top music organizations.

National and international grants

There are numerous national and international grants for musicians. The National Endowment For The Arts (NEA) awards music grants to individuals and organizations in the USA from $10,000 to $100,000 in all genres of music. You must have a specific project in need of funding. Projects can include recording, touring, and educational initiatives, among others. The NEA awards grants in many different artistic fields; sometimes a music-related project might be best served under a different category than “music,” so be sure to review all of their offerings. They have two application deadlines a year (one in February and one in July).

The performers’ rights organizations ASCAP and BMI offer national music grants as well, aimed at musicians in various stages of their careers. And if you are Canadian, FACTOR has a multitude of grants helping to fund most musicians’ needs.

Demographic-specific grants

There are also a variety of music grants aimed at serving historically underserved demographics. Black musicians have several grant and artist-in-residence opportunities available through the Black Artists’ Foundry. Regionally, the NBAF Artist Project Fund awards $2000 in grant money to a few Atlanta-area black artists each year. The Black Artists Fund distributed by Fund For The Arts in Louisville, KY has given music grants of $500 to $2000 to local black artists in the past.

Women have specific grant opportunities as well. The New York Foundation for the Arts Women’s Fund offers yearly grants of $20,000 for specific projects for women artists, including musicians. This grant requires the funded project to be finished within 12 months. Applications are due in the fall and recipients are notified in the spring. Also, the PRS Foundation offers a Women Make Music grant to UK women artists with grants up to £5000.

Quite a few grants are also open to young artists who haven’t released projects before. If this describes you, be sure to check the age range in the grant description; many are for artists under 30. Whatever your demographic might be, it’s worth doing research to see if there are any grants available for your particular background and needs.

Genre-specific grants

If you’re a jazz or classical musician, there are a multitude of grants available in these genres. The BMI Foundation distributes jazz-related prizes and grants, including the Future Jazz Master Award, which awards $5000 each year to one jazz performer between the ages of 17 and 24. They also host the BMI Composer Awards for classical musicians, welcoming submissions for any instrumentation in any classical genre. The American Musicological Society also offers grants in a variety of disciplines for all types of classical and folk musicians.

Don’t be alarmed if you’re an indie/rock musician, though — there are music grants for you, too! The Salt Lick Incubator is a non-profit organization offering grants from $5,000 to $15,000 for musicians in song-oriented genres. They have three grant cycles a year, so you have three opportunities per year to apply. Also, the Dolly Parton Songwriters Award gives $20,000 for up to two original song entries in seven different roots-based American music genres. You must be between ages 17 and 24 and must not have applied to any other BMI Foundation awards program that year to qualify.

Tailor your submissions to genre-specific grants according to the listed requirements. Make sure you read the rules and know when the deadlines are. It’s good to do as much research as you can for your specific genre, as you never know what’s out there.

The submission process

Grant committees receive thousands of applications per cycle. Make sure your application is complete, neatly presented, well-researched and detailed when it comes to your plans and budget, and written professionally in a clear, business-like style. Each application should be tailored for each grant. Be clear about why you should receive the grant and tell them why you are the perfect applicant. The goals of your project should align with the goals of the organization sponsoring the grant, and that should be reflected in your application.

Submission do’s and don’ts

• Do’s : Prep your application thoroughly. Follow the submission guidelines exactly, proofread multiple times, and quadruple check to make sure you haven’t omitted any sections of your application. Make sure your timelines and budget allocations are realistic, reasonable, and doable. Let them know clearly why you are an excellent candidate. And obviously, make sure you meet the exact deadline! Grant deadlines are hard and fast. Often it is at least a year before you can submit again.
• Don’ts : Some common mistakes in submitting music grants are not being eligible, re-using the same pitch written for other grants, not providing enough budget detail, and not writing professionally. Grant reviewers like the grant to follow the three C’s: clear, concise, and compelling. Have a professional grant writer look over your application if you are skeptical of your own writing abilities.

Follow-up and reporting requirements

Some grants require you to keep them informed of your progress and report back to them, and some also have requirements that the project be completed in a specific period of time. Make sure you know what these requirements are and don’t miss a reporting deadline. Potentially you could have the grant revoked, which would be a disaster!

Maximizing your chances of securing a music grant

No matter your experience, musical expertise, or background, applying for and receiving music grants is well within anyone’s capabilities. Keep your eyes on the prize and remember that the best money is free money! It’s worth jumping through some hoops to receive funding you don’t have to repay. Research, plan well, and take your time writing the grant application as you’ll need it to be letter perfect. Make sure to educate yourself about the grant opportunities available to you based on location, genre, and demographic so that you can find the perfect ones for your project.

And if you do receive money to help fund your album release, look no further than Disc Makers for custom vinyl records , a wide range of CD packages , and top-quality audio mastering to complete your album in the best possible way.

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Efficient Grantmaking Process Workflows: A Path to Impactful Giving

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Natalie Anderson is a Senior Nonprofit Industry Marketing Manager for Sage Intacct. Natalie has 10 years of experience in software marketing and is passionate about helping nonprofits leverage software to achieve mission success.

Foundations and other grantmaking organizations provide essential funding through grants and donor advised funds, creating a substantial impact on the nonprofit sector.

According to the Giving USA 2023 report , foundations gave one out of every five dollars to charity in 2022—amounting to $105.21 billion in total.

It can be hard work to make and manage grants that will advance your mission and generate real results for your community.

Every grant dollar needs to make a difference.

To maximize impact, grantmaking organizations need solutions to manage and connect key development and operational processes with their financial processes.

Here’s what we’ll cover

Introducing sage intacct for grantmakers, 1. start with your mission, 2. adopt nonprofit-centric technology, 3. plan your budget and determine your funding focus, 4. assemble a good team to manage grant applications and grant decisions, 5. create your grant application, 6. verify grant applicants and perform due diligence, 7. make award decisions, 8. collaborate with grantees, 9. measure impact and report outcomes, final thoughts, about the author.

Cloud-based nonprofit solutions, like Sage Intacct for Grantmakers, automate the grantmaking process with best practices and efficient workflows.

Cloud automation also improves collaboration between the finance team and program leaders, thanks to real-time reporting and enhanced insights for decision makers.

Sage Intacct for Grantmakers streamlines the execution of grants and donor advised funds through automated, collaborative workflows connected directly to financials in Sage Intacct.

Powered by Sage Intacct Forms and Operational Flows, the solution fully automates the grantmaking life cycle, including the:

• pre-award phase
• award decisions and notifications
• implementation
• monitoring and evaluation

In the remainder of this article, we will walk through the steps of an effective grantmaking process, highlighting workflows that can be enhanced by technology and examining how digital automation with Sage Intacct for Grantmakers can transform grantmaking efficiency.

Steps to an Effective Grantmaking Process

Like all nonprofits, foundations must stay grounded in their mission.

Before gathering grant applications and handing out money, grantmakers should be able to communicate their mission and the impact they intend to make with their funding.

Clarifying and refining your mission allows you to answer grantmaking questions such as:

• What change are you trying to drive?
• Who are you trying to help?
• What types of organizations or people will be eligible to receive your grants?
• What types of restrictions might you need to place on the funding?

Cloud accounting software designed for foundations and nonprofits can help you structure your grantmaking process, track the status of your grants, manage finances and budgets, and monitor outcomes.

Cloud solutions provide easier visibility to real-time data and insights, helping foundations maximize mission impact and ensure greater transparency.

Budgeting should include not only the money for grants your organization awards, but also for the people, processes, and technology needed to administer, track, and report on grant progress.

Your mission will guide how you use funding to achieve goals and drive change, also known as funding focus .

For example, if your organization is eliminating hunger, will you focus funding on food pantry and soup kitchen operations, or will you focus on poverty eradication and empowerment programs and training, or will you direct grants toward studying the problem and looking for new solutions?

Grantmakers need talented people to design grant applications as well as organize and track the status of applications received. To decide who will receive grants, organizations will establish a selection committee.

The people reviewing and deciding on grants may include stakeholders, members of your staff, and board members.

Ideally, you may also want to include external reviewers with first-hand experience in the communities you’re trying to help and with the problems your mission seeks to solve.

Benefits of Cloud-Based Accounting Software for Grantmaking Foundations

Discover how Sage Intacct can help you accomplish your mission by providing you the visibility, flexibility, efficiency, automation, and integration you need to succeed.

The pre-award phase of grantmaking sets the tone for your future collaboration with grantees.

Therefore, the application process should point directly to your mission and the application should include clear instructions.

Eliminate paper-based applications in favor of the speed, ease, and organization of online grant applications.

Sage Intacct for Grantmakers provides customizable online grant application forms (no coding required) and eligibility quizzes.

When you commit precious resources to a grantee, you want to know the program and organization are legitimate and will spend the money to achieve the desired outcome.

That’s why it is essential to perform due diligence and verify the legitimacy of potential new grantees as you review each grant application.

Sage Intacct for Grantmakers helps verify the legitimacy of grant applicants through an automated verification process.

After your grant review committee selects the grantees that will be awarded, you will need to communicate with both grantees and applicants who were not selected.

Automation can significantly speed this process and help ensure no one slips through the cracks.

Sage Intacct for Grantmakers includes automated award letters.

Once grantees are in your network, you can further automate contract review and accept electronic signatures from grantees.

Today’s leading grantmaking organizations don’t simply write a check and wait for results—they partner with grantees to drive change and increase mission impact.

Automation helps you keep details squared away so your team can concentrate on the mission and building deeper relationships with grantees.

With Sage Intacct for Grantmakers, workflows are fully digitized, with information about vendors, grantees, grant award payments, and more flowing automatically into the appropriate areas of Sage Intacct.

Community foundations can create a no-code, two-way communication portal with donor advisors to streamline award notification requests and share contribution history and giving details.

As grants are in progress and later closed out, you will want to make data-driven decisions about whether to renew your grant, based on measured outcomes.

Sage Intacct for Grantmakers automates interim and final reporting, so grantmakers can measure impact at the grant and organizational level, and then share those results with stakeholders and decision makers.

Experienced grantmakers know the keys to smooth grantmaking are active collaboration between the finance team and program staff along with easy communication and data exchange with grantees.

Automation can eliminate grantmaking process bottlenecks and improve communications with employees, grant applicants, grantees, fund advisors, vendors, and more.

Having automation like Sage Intacct for Grantmakers ensures everyone has access to real-time information they need to make the best decisions and move grants forward for excellent outcomes.

Leverage technology to empower your people and infuse your grantmaking process with efficiency.

Download the Benefits of Cloud Accounting for Grantmaking Organizations e-book to learn more about how to maximize mission impact with cloud-based solutions.

Natalie Anderson is a senior nonprofit industry marketing manager for Sage Intacct.

Natalie has 10 years of experience in software marketing and is passionate about helping nonprofits leverage software to achieve mission success.

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Call for Applications for the Lasker Clinical Research Scholars Program

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The Lasker Clinical Research Scholars Program is designed to foster the development of early stage, independent clinical investigators. Through the notice of funding opportunity (NOFO)  Lasker Clinical Research Scholars Program (Si2/R00, Clinical Trial Optional) , scholars can apply a unique combination of intramural experiences and extramural resources to bolster their research careers. Take a look at the profile pages for both  Current and  Former scholars.  

Research Areas of Interest  

NIAID is one of nine institutes and centers (ICs) participating in this NOFO, and each lists its preferred areas of clinical research. At NIAID, we seek applicants in the areas of clinical allergy and immunology, clinical infectious diseases, and virology. 

How the Program Functions  

The Lasker Scholars program supports candidates in two phases: an initial phase within the NIH  Intramural Research Program (IRP) and a subsequent phase with extramural grant funding. During the first phase, scholars will become NIH employees and will be appointed as independent tenure-track investigators within an NIH IC. They will receive full-time employment benefits and space within the IRP for up to 5 years, extendable with NIH approval on a case-by-case basis. Scholars will develop independent research activities over the course of their stay in the IRP and will be formally reviewed by a panel of senior extramural investigators every 2 to 4 years to evaluate their research progress. 

In the second phase, scholars can either stay in the IRP with potential progression to tenured senior investigator status or receive up to 3 years of extramural funding to continue research independently at an eligible institution, contingent upon meeting specified criteria and programmatic review. Scholars who choose to leave the Lasker program before completing 5 years of research in the IRP will not be eligible for the extramural Lasker Scholars Grant but may be eligible to compete for other extramural NIH research grants as announced in the  NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts . 

Award and Deadline Information   

Letters of reference are an important component of the Lasker Clinical Research Scholar application, and applications that are missing letters will not be reviewed. Applicants should arrange to have four letters of reference submitted on their behalf. Late letters will not be accepted, and applicants are responsible for monitoring the submission of letters to ensure that the letters have been submitted prior to the submission deadline. 

The application due date for this NOFO is August 30, 2024. 

NIH plans to fund up to 5 awards in fiscal year 2025. Award budgets are comprised of salary and other program-related expenses. During the initial phase of the program, the NIH IC in which scholars are conducting their research will provide intramural funds, as negotiated when starting the program. During the second phase, applicants can request direct costs of up to $499,000 per year, which can include salaries, fringe benefits, and research costs. In addition, indirect costs will be reimbursed at the extramural sponsoring institution’s indirect cost rate.  

Eligible applicants include medical professionals with licenses to practice clinically in the United States such as physicians, dentists, and nurses with doctoral level degrees. The program is intended for investigators in the early stages of their independent careers. Applicants generally will have completed or be completing a post-residency clinical fellowship and possess sufficient patient-oriented research experience for a tenure-track level appointment. However, tenured applicants are not eligible. While U.S. citizenship or permanent residency is not required, selected scholars must maintain appropriate visa/residency status. Applications can be submitted by the candidate’s current institution or independently. Finally, individuals from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups as well as individuals with disabilities are always encouraged to apply for NIH support.    

Contacts  

For general questions related to the program, contact Dr. Charles Dearolf at [email protected] . For NIAID-related questions, contact Dr. Meredith Shaffer at [email protected] or 301-594-0517. Refer to the NOFO for contacts at other ICs.

Email us at [email protected] for help navigating NIAID’s grant and contract policies and procedures.

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