Strategy for NIH Funding
Master the Application · Complete the Forms
Strategy to Prepare the Forms and Just-in-Time
This strategy page gives you action items for each step of preparing the forms for key items such as biosketches, resources, and budget, linking to resource pages with more information and advice.
Before reading the information in this part, you may want to first read about planning the application in Part 2.
While this document is geared toward the basic research project grant, the R01, much of it is useful for other grants.
Complete the Forms
Learn how to write the biosketches, resource, budget, and other sections.
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Learn More |
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Learn about the forms.
For detailed instructions, read the SF 424 Application Guide.
Read our advice in Complete the Forms in Part 3.
Find the forms in your funding opportunity announcement (FOA), and find more information in the Guide announcement for the FOA.
If you haven't done so already, contact your institution's grants business office to:
- Find out how its staff can help you prepare your application.
- Ask whether your institution uses the standard method of submitting directly to Grants.gov or its own system.
- Find out what information staff in that office will provide.
- Learn expectations, including your institution's due dates.
- Have them sign you up for an eRA Commons account if you don't have one already.
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Just the Facts
Get Ready Now to Apply Electronically in Part 2
Complete the Forms in Part 3
Definitions
Our Advice
Work With Your Grants Office and other sections of in Complete the Forms in Part 3
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Write your Abstract and narrative.
Know the following:
- All reviewers read your Project Summary/Abstract and Project Narrative.
- NIH uses these sections to assign your application to an institute and study section.
- They become public documents if your grant is funded.
Use your Specific Aims as a template for your Abstract.
Write your Abstract as a project summary that both a scientist and a lay person can understand, to the extent that you can.
In your Project Narrative, state your project's potential to improve health.
Do not put confidential information in these sections.
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Just the Facts
Definitions
Our Advice
Hone Your Abstract and Narrative in Complete the Forms in Part 2
Sample Applications and Summary Statements
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Write the resources section.
Make sure you have the resources to complete all the work.
Describe your institutional support, including time, resources, and equipment.
Use a level of detail appropriate to your institution.
Show how your scientific environment will contribute to the success of your project.
If the research will be at more than one site, state which facilities will house which parts of the project.
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Our Advice
Will You Have the Resources? in Design a Project in Part 2
Show Resources, Institutional Support in Complete the Forms in Part 3
Sample Applications and Summary Statements
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Create the biosketches.
Write biosketches that show how you and your key personnel have sufficient experience for your roles on the project.
In your personal statement, showcase your skill; convince reviewers you can lead.
In the research support section, list ongoing and completed support in the last three years to highlight each person's accomplishments.
Choose publications that reveal your skills and those of your team.
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Our Advice
Emphasize Expertise in Your Biosketches in Complete the Forms in Part 3
Sample Applications and Summary Statements
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If you are a new investigator or are entering a new field, you will most likely plan a modular budget of $250,000 or less.
Enter the same number of $25,000 modules for each year, except for special needs such as equipment.
In your Personnel Justification, list all key personnel (including collaborators), expertise, and role, and state the calendar months they will devote to the project.
In your Consortium Justification, list consultants and collaborators, including roles and calendar months they will devote to the project.
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Our Advice
Complete the Forms in Part 3
Sample Applications and Summary Statements
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Do the following for both a modular and nonmodular budget.
If you have never prepared a budget before, get help.
Find out whether you have a budget to purchase equipment. If not, know what to consider when requesting the funds in the application.
Make expenses consistent with the research you propose, no more, no less.
See that salaries do not exceed the mandatory cap.
Get help and information from your business office.
Read the SF 424 Application Guide for detailed instructions.
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Just the Facts
PI Salary Cap and Stipends
Our Advice
Complete the Forms in Part 3
Sample Applications and Summary Statements
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List citations.
Cite the literature thoroughly but limit to fewer than 100 citations, if possible.
Follow NIH's public access policy.
In each citation, include the names of all authors, article and journal title, book title, volume number, page numbers, and year of publication.
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Our Advice
Connect to Science With Citations in Complete the Forms in Part 3
Sample Applications and Summary Statements
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Check and polish your application.
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Learn More |
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Give your application a complete once-over to make sure:
- Main parts are in sync with one another.
- Key sections—like the Research Plan—are on point.
- Everything is well organized.
Get more advice and find checklists in Part 3.
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Our Advice
Part 3
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Get Just-in-Time Information Ready
Get your just-in-time information ready now.
Strategy for NIH Funding
Master the Application · Complete the Forms
See the other sections of
Part 3. Write Your Application
Table of Contents for the Strategy
We welcome your comments, questions, or suggestions. Email deaweb@niaid.nih.gov.