Reviewers are often faculty just like you who are very busy. A reviewer must often read 10 to 15 applications in great detail and form an opinion about each of them.

Researchers who are able to express their scientific arguments persuasively and concisely win grants and get published more often. According to Dr. Francis Collins, former Director of the NIH, “So many worthwhile research ideas get put into the unfunded category in reviews because the proposals are not written clearly and don’t present the importance of the research forcefully enough.”

Here are some tips for writing an application that is clear, compelling, and easy to evaluate (and approve!):

Stick with the format

Your application has a better chance at succeeding if it is easy to read and follows the required format. Reviewers are accustomed to finding information in specific sections of the application, so you must organize your application to effortlessly guide reviewers through it. This creates an efficient evaluation process and saves reviewers from hunting for critical information.

Plan ahead

Before you start writing the application, think about the budget and how it is related to your research plan. Remember that everything in the budget must be justified by the work you've proposed to do. Be realistic. Don't propose more work than can be reasonably done during the proposed project period.

Make no assumptions

Include enough background information to enable an intelligent reader to understand your proposed work. Although not a requirement for assignment purposes, a cover letter can help the sponsor assign your application for initial peer review.

Organize your thinking

Start with an outline following the suggested organization of the application. Write one sentence summarizing the topic sentence of each main section. Do the same for each main point in the outline.

Make the case

Capture the reviewers' attention by making the case for why the sponsor should fund your research. Tell reviewers why testing your hypothesis is worth their money, why you are the person to do it, and how your institution can give you the support you'll need to get it done.

Keep it simple

Make one point in each paragraph. This is key for readability. Keep sentences to 20 words or less. Write simple, clear sentences. Use the active, rather than passive, voice. For example, write "We will develop an experiment," not "An experiment will be developed."

Be succinct

Use a clear and concise writing style so that a non-expert may understand the proposed research. Often you will know much more on the topic than the reviewer, so make your points as directly as possible. Use basic English, avoiding jargon or excessive language. Spell out all acronyms on first reference. Be consistent with terms, references, and writing style.

Stanford Resources

A Guide to NSF Success

Practical advice on how to develop a fundable research proposal (2007)

NSF Upcoming Due Dates

Lists all funding programs offered by National Science Foundation, sortable by opportunity or due date.

The NIH Grants Process Overview

Learn about the steps required for an application to proceed from planning and submission through to award and closeout. Drill down to learn more about each step in the process for guidance that can maximize your understanding of the grants process and help you submit a successful grant application.

Grant Writing Tip Sheets

Many NIH Institutes put out guides and tip sheets on their Web sites. These guides can be useful resources. Here are just a few.

• All About Grants Podcasts: The Office of Extramural Research (OER) talks to NIH staff members about the ins and outs of NIH funding. Designed for investigators, fellows, students, research administrators, and others just curious about the application and award process, we provide insights on grant topics from those who live and breathe the information.

• Sample Applications: Check out our many sample applications and summary statements.

• Grant Basics: Before getting started, learn why it is important to understand the structure of NIH

• The NIH R01 Tool Kit: from Science

• Apply for a Grant: Some useful samples and examples that are part of the grant application from NIAID and NIH, including sample applications and summary statements, data sharing, and model organism sharing plans.

• Types of Grant Programs: NIH uses activity codes (e.g. R01, R43, etc.) to differentiate the wide variety of research-related programs.Lists and explains all NIH grant types.

• NIH Guide to Grants and Contracts: The official publication for NIH grant policies, guidelines and funding opportunities published daily.

• Collaboration and Team Science: A Field Guide:Published by the NIH 2010. This Field Guide was developed to help all researchers navigate some of the rocky and murky territory associated with building a team either on their own or at the request of someone in their organization.  

• EPA Research and Funding Opportunities

• NASA Solicitations: on  NSPIRES

• NEH Deadlines: The National Endowment for the Humanities lists their year-round deadlines for all NEH grants programs.

• ONR: Broad Agency Announcements and Funding Opportunity Announcements

• ARL — United States Army Research Laboratory Open Broad Agency Announcements.

• AHRQ Research Training & Career Development Opportunities:The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality provides a variety of career development and research opportunities to beginning investigators.