How to Write an NIH Grant Proposal

If you are looking to receive a grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), then there are specific guidelines you must follow when writing your grant proposal. There are several unique facets that the NIH uses to analyze grant proposals that are emphasized to a lesser degree in other fields. Submission guidelines also differ; according to the NIH, grant proposals must be in response to a specific announcement for an NIH funding opportunity. You can follow a step-by-step process that will help you write a clear NIH grant proposal.

Instructions

• 1

  Review the NIH proposal guidelines. The NIH posts the factors that it uses to review grant proposals on its website. Download or print these guidelines and read them carefully.

• 2

  Download the grant application kit. According to the NIH, the NIH posts grant application kits on its website. These kits must be read carefully and submitted to the NIH exactly as the agency requests in order to avoid rejection of your proposal.

• 3

  Analyze your project. According to the NIH, the NIH gives grants for projects that are unique, intellectual, academically rigorous, impactful and carried out by qualified researchers. Do some self-analysis of your project: What is this study supposed to accomplish? What will be the impact of this project or study? What are my credentials and qualifications? What is my competition doing? What procedures are we using? Gaining a deep understanding of these areas is crucial to writing an effective NIH proposal.

• 4

  Write the proposal. According to the NIH, the most pertinent factor in the success of your proposal is a well-organized research or project plan. You should communicate a clear vision for what you plan to do with the grant money, and articulate how this grant money will aid in advancing your goal. The NIH requests that your proposal includes several sections. According to the NIH, these sections include face page, table of contents, hypothesis, abstract, key personnel, detailed budget, personnel report, overview budget, background sketch and personnel data. Review the NIH guidelines for more information on these sections.

• 5

  Have someone review your proposal. In order to ensure that you have the best possible proposal, have someone who is familiar with the NIH guidelines proofread and review your proposal for quality and adherence to the NIH guidelines.