Prepare to Write Your Grant Application
There are several tasks that need to be completed prior to writing a competitive grant application. In this section you can access your readiness by reviewing our checklist.
Are You Ready to Write a Grant Application?
Before you start writing, make sure that you can complete the following:
Identify and connect with your program officer or related contact at your funder’s organization. Review the grant application instructions and confirm that your proposed plan aligns with the mission or focus. Review any tips and resources on writing and submitting that the funder provides, along with this comprehensive guide from the NIH on the grants process.
A ‘testable hypothesis’ is a proposition, or set of propositions, set forth as an explanation for the occurrence of some specified group of phenomena. The testable hypothesis should yield a yes or no result, as opposed to a descriptive one. This is what your Specific Aims address. The most common reason given for proposal rejection is “this is not hypothesis-driven research” (no hypothesis given).
Note: for some grant applications, the hypothesis is called the goal.
Compile sufficient preliminary data upon which to build your grant application. Preliminary data is the initial data that tests your hypothesis, such as a cell or animal model.
Make sure you can offer well-established methodologies that will test your hypothesis.
Compile sufficient first-author publications relevant to your grant proposal.
Ensure that you are the first author on an average of one to two papers per year. The publications should be related to your research to ensure you can fulfill any requirements as part of your grant application.
To ensure R01 grant funding, you should serve as first author on four to six peer-reviewed papers that are related to your research by the time you submit your grant application.
For independent funding, such as R-equivalent NIH funding, make sure you can provide sufficient peer-reviewed published data upon which to build your grant application.
For independent funding, such as R-equivalent NIH funding, show that you have carved out a new area of investigation that is sufficiently distinct from your mentor, so that you can qualify as an independent investigator.
For Research Career Development Awards, such as NIH K awards, make sure you can create a well-articulated description of educational courses that will provide the necessary background in foundational elements and ensure successful completion of your proposal.
Put it into Practice
If you are ready to write, review this comprehensive guide from the NIH on the grants process.
Use this guide to help you:
- Plan the grant writing process.
- Review grant examples.
- Write your grant clearly and according to the instructions provided.
- Compile the additional components needed for your application.
- Review your grant drafts.
- Submit your grant application.
Even if you are applying for non-NIH funding, the writing tips section is broadly applicable for any type of grant you may be seeking.
Not yet ready? Consider enrolling in one of Harvard Catalyst’s grant writing offerings.
Next Step
Click on the box below for resources to help you review your grant application.