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Skills for Health and Research Professionals (SHARP) Training

Nih grant writing boot camp: building a strong foundation for funding success, november 12-13, 2024 | livestream, virtual training, registration is open join us for the next livestream nih grant writing boot camp on november 12-13, 2024. .

The NIH Grant Writing Boot Camp is a two-day intensive boot camp combining lectures, hands-on activities, and discussions to demystify the NIH application process. This training will prepare participants to submit an NIH grant proposal that turns reviewers into advocates, positioning the applicant for success. 

Why take this training? Learn more here.

Subscribe for updates on registration and scholarship dates, deadlines, and announcements.

Jump to: Overview | Audience & Requirements | Scholarships | Locations | Instructors | Testimonials | Registration Fees | Additional Information

Boot Camp Overview

Winter 2024 dates: Livestream, online training November 12-13, 2024; 10:00am - ~5:00pm EDT.

Federal grants, particularly from the NIH, provide a critical means of support for academic research programs. Despite the importance of this support in advancing both research and researchers’ careers, training in how to obtain grants is uneven at best. This training gap leaves many researchers struggling to learn as they go, which can introduce significant stress, delay the time to a successful application, and impact their overall productivity. The good news is that training and hands-on practice can enable you to conquer grant writing, increase your chances of receiving funding, and devote more time to moving your scientific goals forward.

The 2-day NIH Grant Writing Boot Camp: Building a Strong Foundation for Funding Success will provide comprehensive training that supplies researchers with the tools to write persuasive, effective grant proposals. Through a combination of seminars, discussions, examples, and hands-on activities, with a particular focus on navigating between-the-lines on how to tailor your proposals to grant reviewers, this training will orient you to all aspects of the academic funding process (i.e., grant writing and grant strategizing), including:

• How to identify and apply for the right funding opportunities with the NIH (and beyond);
• How to position your research and yourself to make reviewers your research advocates;
• How to target your application to the right place at the right time; and
• How to write clearly, effectively, and persuasively when telling your scientific story.

The workshop will begin with a live online seminar 3-4 weeks before the 2-day boot camp to introduce the fundamentals of drafting the Specific Aims page— that oh-so-important project overview that can ‘make or break’ the reviewers’ perception of the application.

The 2-day portion of the boot camp will cover critical topics that help you package your proposal for maximum impact:

• What the Aims page captures, why it’s so important to get it right, and how to tackle it
• A comprehensive introduction to NIH funding announcements and award mechanisms: What to apply for and how to apply
• Merit review: Understanding who, what, why, and how enables you to frame your application
• Principles of good communication: How to ‘sell’ yourself and your science
• Psychology of grant review
• Tackling resubmissions for ultimate success

Attendees will leave the boot camp with:

• A foundational understanding of the NIH granting process and how it pertains to public health research
• Hard-copy reference materials for information retention & review
• A refined Aims page
• A refined NIH Biosketch

One round of written feedback for a Specific Aims page will be made available to all attendees for 3 months after the boot camp, at no additional cost, further solidifying the boot camp concepts into practical skills.

Audience and Requirements

Investigators from any institution and from all career stages are welcome to attend, and we particularly encourage trainees and early-stage investigators to participate. No prior experience in preparing or submitting NIH grant applications is necessary. However, each participant should be prepared to share* and work on an NIH Specific Aims page and an NIH biosketch. Participants who have not previously written an NIH-style Aims page and/or biosketch will have an opportunity to draft their page and receive initial feedback ahead of the on-site workshop. There are no other requirements to attend the NIH Grant Writing Boot Camp.

*Hands-on activities will use participant aims pages, and we therefore request that all participants respect the confidentiality of other attendees. Any participant who prefers not to share their research ideas may create a mock aims page to use during the boot camp.

Scholarships

Training scholarships are available for the NIH Grant Writing Boot Camp.

Winter 2024: The NIH Grant Writing Boot Camp will be a livestream, remote training that takes place over live, online video on November 12-13, 2024 from 10am EDT - ~5pm EDT. Please note this training is not a self-paced, pre-recorded online training.  

Instructors

Jessica K. Lerch, PhD, Co-Founder, CareerVolt; Founder, Significance, Innovation, Impact. Dr. Lerch earned her PhD in Neuroscience at Case Western. She then completed postdoctoral training at the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis at the University of Miami and went to a Research Assistant and then a tenure-track Assistant Professor appointment in the Department of Neuroscience at The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. In late 2017, Jessica moved to a science consulting role with Eva Garland Consulting, helping small biotechnology companies and researchers across the world strategize their science to achieve over $37 million in grant funding for their R&D and early-phase clinical trial projects. Jessica started her first company, Significance, Innovation, Impact, in 2018 as a grant-writing consultant. In 2019, Jessica joined with long-time friend and colleague Dr. Sheila Cherry to launch CareerVolt, born of their shared desire to help scientists succeed in their career paths by filling skills gaps and supporting attainment of professional goals.

Sarah Bronson, PhD, Research Leadership and Success Consultant, CareerVolt. Dr. Bronson received her PhD in Biomedical Sciences from Washington University in Saint Louis, Missouri, and was a postdoctoral trainee with Oliver Smithies, DPhil at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. Sarah spent her entire faculty career at the Penn State College of Medicine where she was a researcher, educator, and administrator. She is now an emeritus associate professor and associate dean. She was the co-director (2010-2020) of the nationally recognized Junior Faculty Development Program where she developed a holistic program that teased out the steps to scholarly project development as well as the path toward a sustainable and rewarding career. She was also a co-director for the Grants Academy, with a more specific focus on grant proposal development. As Director of Research Development (2014-2023) she implemented the internal awards program and the limited submission process.

Testimonials

"Having zero experience in grant writing, this boot camp exceeded my expectations! This was a great overview and I learned so much. This will serve as a tool as I prepare to think about my future research career. It was offered just in time for me to prepare with time for a grant application. I am definitely recommending this to cofellows interested in a research career." - Fellow at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, 2023

"The boot camp was an eye opener and worth every penny paid. The course work, the facilitators Jessica and April were amazing, and time management was top notch." - Clinician at Lagos University Teaching Hospital, 2023

"I looked forward to this boot camp each day! The leaders were so knowledgable and helpful and truly able to answer all of our questions. I walked away knowing so much more about this very complex and stressful process. It eased anxiety and the mystery of it all." - Postdoc fellow at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and the Brain Injury Research Center, 2023

Additional Testimonials

"This course offered an opportunity to to dive deep into the craftmanship of grant writing. The course directors would provide simplified examples of grant writing strategies and give attendees an opportunity to directly apply them to an existing grant. I highly recommend this course!" - Postdoc at Harvard Medical School, 2022

"I really appreciated this boot camp. I wish I would have had this training when I was just beginning my career/right out of fellowship. The training gave a better understanding of the different grant types, better understanding of the NIH review, and how to write each section of the typical NIH application." - Faculty member at Indiana University, 2022

"What I found helpful is that their presentations and activities are designed around steps and process of writing and submitting the grant and how to think of this process from a reviewer perspective. It helps to connect dots for me between forms, tools, and actual writing." - Postdoc at University of Colorado School of Medicine, 2022

"It was quite enlightening and the instructors were engaging. Definitely worth the investment." - Staff member at APIN Public Health Initiatives, 2022

"The NIH Grant Writing Boot Camp gave me insight I otherwise would've been without. The organizers did an excellent job keeping the material unique and provided a lot of examples based on actual writing." - Student at University of Arizona, 2022

"This boot camp was excellent and a great way to formally learn the grant process. I would highly recommend this to other early career researchers who are starting to consider applying to NIH." - Faculty member at University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, 2021

"The training opened my eyes to the need for, and how to take a systematic approach to creating a quality grant application as well as prepared me to productively receive criticism for my applications in the future." - Postdoc at National University of Natural Medicine, 2021

"A thorough and balanced-pace workshop to feel ready to write an NIH grant for the first time. For someone who doesn't have time to spend on a semester-long course yet covers just as much, if not more, than other courses." - Postdoc at University of Pittsburgh, 2021

"This was excellent training.  I wish that I could have attended this years ago." - Faculty member at Jackson State University

"It was eye opening and took the mystique off of grant writing. There was virtually an answer to everything which was quite empowering!" - Research staff member at Rutgers University, 2021

"This is an engaging and interactive learning experience where you get hands-on experience writing, editing, and reviewing NIH Biosketches and Aims Pages. You will walk away prepared to send your documents to a NIH Program Officer and get going on your next grant proposal!" - Faculty member at Wake Forest University, 2020 virtual training

"It exceeded my expectations. Usually classes like this are dull, but it was engaging and actually imparted useful material." - Faculty member at New York University, 2020 virtual training

"This grant writing training gave a ton of practical tips along with real examples that helped me see how to apply those tips." - Academic Staff member at UNC Chapel Hill, 2020 virtual training

"I was extremely surprised overall by the depth of detail and new information the leaders provided. The leaders broke down the most challenging pieces of grant writing into manageable components." - Postdoc at VA Boston Healthcare System, 2020 virtual training

"Excellent workshop!  I highly recommend it to both new and seasoned investigators." - Faculty member at East Carolina University, 2020 virtual training

"It provides a comprehensive insight into the structure of a winning NIH grant. Emphasis on the specific aims section was valuable at several levels and will definitely improve one's chances of being awarded an NIH grant." - Postdoc at Oregon State University, 2020 virtual training

"This was a comprehensive and high-quality program on how to craft a competitive grant." - Faculty member at the University of Washington, 2020 virtual training

"I am actually excited to go back and apply what I've learned to future applications as well as other scientific writing. The presenters really broke down the elements and re-framed the entire process so it feels doable; and funding seems achievable." - Faculty member at University of New Mexico, 2020 virtual training

"The grant writing workshop provided a great tips to help me prepare a competitive grant. After the 2-day session, I feel confident that I can submit a well polished grant proposal that will stand out among the others." - Postdoc at Moffitt Cancer Center, 2020 virtual training

Registration Fees

*Columbia Discount: This discount is valid for any active student, postdoc, staff, or faculty at Columbia University. If paying by credit card, use your Columbia email address during the registration process to automatically have the discount applied. If paying by internal transfer within Columbia, submit this Columbia Internal Transfer Request form to receive further instructions. Please note: filling out this form is not the same as registering for a training and does not guarantee a training seat.  

Invoice Payment: If you would prefer to pay by invoice/check, please submit this Invoice Request form to receive further instructions. Please note: filling out this form is not the same as registering for a training and does not guarantee a training seat.

Registration Fee: This fee includes course material, which will be made available to all participants both during and after the conclusion of the training.

Cancellations: Cancellation notices must be received via email at least 30 days prior to the training start date in order to receive a full refund, minus a $75 administrative fee. Cancellation notices received via email 14-29 days prior to the training will receive a 75% refund, minus a $75 administrative fee. Please email your cancellation notice to [email protected] . Due to workshop capacity and preparation, we regret that we are unable to refund registration fees for cancellations <14days prior to the training.

If you are unable to attend the training, we encourage you to send a substitute within the same registration category. Please inform us of the substitute via email at least one week prior to the training to include them on attendee communications, updated registration forms, and materials. Should the substitute fall within a different registration category your credit card will be credited/charged respectively. Please email substitute inquiries to [email protected] . In the event Columbia must cancel the event, your registration fee will be fully refunded.

Additional Information

• Register for the November 12-13 NIH Grant Writing Boot Camp.  
• Subscribe for updates on new Boot Camp details and registration deadlines.
• Contact the NIH Grant Writing Boot Camp team.

The NIH Grant Writing Boot Camp is hosted by Columbia University's SHARP Program in the Mailman School of Public Health.

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From Our Blog

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What is a Grant Proposal? Grants as Advocacy, Not Just Asking

Most staff members in nonprofit organizations define a grant proposal as a request for money. That definition is only superficially correct. To achieve the best results for their constituents and move more surely toward their missions, nonprofits need to think of grant proposals in a different way.

First, nonprofits must consider grants from a funder’s point of view. For funders, a grant award is an investment in positive change. It’s a tool they use for having an impact on issues they care about.

Next, nonprofits must consider grants from a mission-focused perspective. Since the point of a grant award is impact rather than money, the real point of a grant proposal is to rally the necessary resources to help the nonprofit fulfill its purpose. A grant is a tool nonprofits use to address important issues within their communities.

Definitions matter, and defining grant proposals accurately can help both funders and nonprofits work together more productively. A grant proposal is actually a call to action. It’s a request that a funder join the nonprofit as a partner in achieving specific results. At its best, a grant proposal is a cogent, persuasive, well-supported argument for change.

This definition moves the work of grantseekers well beyond reactive dollar-chasing and into the realm of social activism. It’s no longer about supporting “our organization.” It’s about linking arms with colleague organizations, beneficiaries, community members, and funders to embrace a mission and confront the dragons.

Focusing on the articulation of a logical argument for action also means that the document you produce when seeking grant funds can be sliced and diced and used in numerous ways. You can use the proposal to educate staff and board members so that they’ll be better prepared to rally community support, engage with other organizations, and convince funders to come onboard as partners.

You can also use the proposal as the basis for editorials, blogs, presentations, and public testimony. By disseminating solid information widely you’re laying the groundwork for progress. When the community understands the significance of the issue you’re working on, you’re more likely to get the cash, in-kind donations, and volunteers you need to do your work.

You can edit the proposal into a briefing document and share it with those who are concerned about the issue or who should be. The list may include politicians, local officials, targeted community members and colleague organizations.

Embracing grant proposal development as a form of advocacy challenges the resource development team to impose standards on its work that may be higher than those demanded by funders. These include:

• Deeply studying the issue you’re concerned about, listening to various and sometimes dissenting voices, looking at it through different lenses, and then digesting it all until you can concisely and precisely explain what concerns you, why it needs to be changed, and what’s causing the situation.
• Specifically defining what changes your organization plans to achieve, the degree of change you expect, and how you’ll track progress.
• Identifying the actions that have the highest likelihood of producing the desired change, documenting why you expect the approach to succeed, and committing to what your organization will deliver within a set time frame.
• Imposing accountability on yourself rather than expecting some outside watchdog to do it.
• Communicating fully and honestly with staff members, beneficiaries, board members, the community, contributors, major donors, and grantmakers.
• Claiming and celebrating successes, and acknowledging, examining and learning from failures.

A top-quality grants professional is not just a seeker of dollars, a writer, a completer of forms, a person who answers the funders’ questions, or a person who regurgitates information. They are a rain-maker, a change-maker, and a social activist. They find the sweet spot where the needs of the community, the commitment of the funders, and the mission and capacity of the nonprofit organization align.

A grant proposal is not just a request for money. It’s much more than that. A grant award is not just funding. It’s a tool, a means to an end, an investment in change.

Want more? The Grantsmanship Center has a wealth of resources for you! For 50 years, we’ve served nonprofits, academia, and government and Native American groups by providing training and the textbook, Grantsmanship: Program Planning & Proposal Writing . Choose a training to fit your budget, schedule, and experience and join 145,000+ alumni helping to build a better world!

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Getting the Grant 101 The Essentials

The process of “getting a grant” or “writing a grant proposal” can sound mysterious, like an old family recipe with secret ingredients. For nearly 50 years The Grantsmanship Center has been helping people demystify this process and to understand that, like a recipe, creating a compelling proposal simply requires common ingredients put together in a logical and understandable sequence using tried and true techniques.

First, let’s talk about what a grant is and is not. In most cases a grant is support that does not need to be repaid. Usually it comes in the form of money, but it may be technical assistance or training. Grants are usually awarded after the submission of a written proposal. So, the “grant” is the funding or other assistance that is received as a result of a grant proposal (also referred to as an application). A grant is not the written document that we submit to a potential funding source!

Each funder sets its own eligibility criteria for grant applicants, and eligible applicants are typically nonprofit organizations or public agencies. Nonprofits are often required to be 501(c)(3) organizations under the IRS. Click here for IRS information on nonprofits . Grants to for-profit entities or to private individuals do exist; however, they are far less common.

Each funder will also have its own application process and the degree of detail required will vary. Here, we’ll focus on The Grantsmanship Center Model, which consists of eight sections. The first seven sections, Summary through Future Support, are the narrative. The eighth section is the Budget. Each part has a job to do and, because each supports the others, a weakness in one affects the entire proposal. Let’s take a look at the basic ingredients required in a typical proposal, and how to include them.

Components of The Grantsmanship Center Model:

• Summary (goes at the beginning but is written last)
• Introduction to the Applicant Organization
• Future Support

INTRODUCTION

Funders look carefully at the applicant organization’s history, leadership, and track record. Offer factual and objective descriptions of your organization’s accomplishments, including statistics and examples. Highlight achievements that will be most meaningful to the potential funder. “Season” your proposal with a quote from someone in the community who values the contributions of your organization. If your organization is new and its track record brief, look to the background of the staff and board of directors to provide credibility, and stress community partnerships to build the funder’s confidence in the new organization’s ability to achieve results.

Consider this section of the proposal as a resume for your organization – your goal is to impress the reader with the organization’s credibility and qualifications.

This section of a grant proposal may be called the problem statement, statement of need, or something similar. Your discussion of the problem to be addressed lays the foundation for the program plan, and if this section is weak, so goes the rest of the proposal. A strong statement of the problem will address the following:

• Who is affected? What are their qualities or characteristics? How many people are affected and where do they live?
• In what ways are they affected and to what extent? How do you know? Be clear about this. Quantify the problem using hard data and cite your sources. Provide context about the problem to elicit the funder’s empathy and create a sense of urgency. Your understanding of the target population is critical. There’s a story to tell and it’s your job to tell it.
• Why is the problem significant? Why should the funder care about what’s happening? There are urgent and compelling problems all around us. Why is it important to address this situation now? If there is credible research on the subject, discuss it. It can sometimes be useful to show how the local problem compares with the state or national situation.
• Why is the problem occurring? Identification of the causes of the situation will lead you directly to possible solutions. Remember to ask those affected by the problem why they think it exists. Their direct experience is invaluable and can help challenge preconceived notions that you, your team, or even a potential funding partner might have about the situation. Avoid assumptions.

As you explore the problem and its causes, a helpful question to ask is: How do we know this? One final note: the situation for which your organization is seeking a grant should generally not be about your own organization. Rather, it should be about those you are proposing to serve.

After you have clearly identified the situation that needs to be changed, it’s time to specify the outcomes you hope the grant-funded program will achieve. Funders use lots of different terms and may call these program outcomes, objectives, results, or even goals. Whatever they are called, think about this: what do you expect to result from the program your organization will run? Propose outcomes that are specific, measurable, and that will be accomplished within a set time frame. If you have defined the problem well, the outcomes will follow logically.

Next, lay out how your organization will accomplish the projected outcomes. Funders may call this section methods, approach, plan of action, program plan, or something else. No matter what they call it, this is what your organization plans to do when it gets the grant. Include who, what, when, where, and how. Explain it like you would explain a program to someone who knew nothing about it.

• Who? Who will be in charge of getting the work done? What are their qualifications? Who will be served or affected? How many people will be involved? Are there any specific criteria for the people to be involved in this project? Discuss any collaborative efforts that will be a part of the program.
• What? What will be happening? What are the specific strategies that will be used?
• When? What is the timeline for activities? It’s helpful to lay out a graphic timeline, whether it’s a GANTT chart or a simple chart with three columns that describes 1) who, 2) will do what, and 3) when.
• Where? Where will the work take place?
• How? How will the work be accomplished? What resources will be used to get the job done?

Finally, one more question to answer – Why this approach? Have others used this approach and been successful? Is this approach considered to be a best practice or a model in your field? Share your rationale. It adds credibility to your proposal if you can demonstrate that you have a broad understanding of what other organizations in your field are doing and have learned. Note: you might end up with more information in this plan than what you ultimately have room to include in the proposal. That’s okay! Submit the key points, but keep all the detail in your files. This work will be used to create the program management plan, and when you’re ready to implement the program you’ll be glad you put the time into planning!

Nearly every funder will ask for a description of how you will evaluate the grant-funded program. Funders want to know that their investment in your organization was a good one. This stumps a lot of people, but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Simply put, the evaluation plan describes how your organization: (1) will measure the level to which the program is achieving the expected outcomes; and 2) will document that program activities unfolded according to plans, as well as any course corrections you’re making and why.

First, think about the projected program outcomes. How will you know when you have accomplished them? Are there benchmarks along the way that will indicate that you’re headed in the right direction? Describe those benchmarks and what they will tell you about results. Describe what data will be collected and analyzed and by whom. Then describe what you will do with what you are learning. Will you be able to use those results to help guide future program development? If so, describe how that will be done. Remember that outcomes are all about results, so how will you monitor results? This is what many funders call the “outcome evaluation” plan.

Then, think about how your organization can improve the program from day one. How will the organization know whether the program approach is working? Or when revisions to the plan are warranted? Typically, some of the things that may be monitored are client participation, community support, feedback from clients, collaborators, and others, client satisfaction, and staff feedback. For example, if the plan was to conduct community forums about a particular issue, and few people attended, this would tell you something. Maybe the forums were held at the wrong time of day. Maybe people couldn’t find the place. Maybe the subject was not of interest. Maybe childcare was a problem. Analysis of the situation can help you modify the approach so that it’s more effective. This part of the evaluation plan is often called “process evaluation.”

FUTURE SUPPORT

Grants are wonderful (usually). But they are generally short-lived! What is your organization’s plan for the program after the grant ends? If this is a program or service that should continue, what are your ideas for funding it? Aside from seeking more grants! Think about potential funding mechanisms that can be explored for long-term sustainability. Perhaps your organization excels at community fundraising. Maybe there is potential for contracts with government or for-profit corporations who need your service. A social enterprise might be something to explore.

In this section, also describe who else will be supporting the program. Support from other sources, whether cash or in-kind, may provide leverage for the grant. Don’t forget about what your own organization will contribute, like office space, administrative support, or whatever you are able to provide.

Now it’s time to put dollars to the plan. How much will this cost? Be specific and account for all the ingredients in your program recipe. Start by making a chart with four columns:

• Column 1 – Line Items: Use your organization’s chart of accounts to list the line items that must be addressed in budgeting for the grant-funded program.
• Column 2 – Total Program Budget: This column shows the cost of everything that will go into the program, even if it’s already covered by other sources.
• Column 3 – Other Funding: For each line item, show funding and the value of other resources that will be contributed from sources other than the requested grant. Be sure to include what your own organization will provide. The amounts in this column are sometimes called “matching resources,” “leveraged funds,” or “cost sharing.”
• Column 4 – Amount of The Requested Grant: The difference between Column 2 and Column 3 is the requested grant amount.

Learning to use spreadsheet software well will make budget calculations faster, easier to adjust, and more accurate.

A few more points about the budget:

• Typically, grant proposals include budgets for one year time periods. If you are submitting a multi-year request, calculate each year separately and include a summary that shows the   multi-year total.
• Remember you are projecting a budget. Therefore, you want to think not just about what the line items would cost today, but what will they cost when you actually incur the expense. Will salaries go up? Will benefits change?
• The value of donations should be calculated in the total program budget and then be indicated in the other funding column. Value should be based on what you would actually pay in your community for that item if you had to pay cash for it.
• Be certain that there are no expenses in your budget request that are unexplained. Some funding sources will ask for a budget narrative, which gives you an opportunity to explain each item, how you calculated it, and how it is important to your proposed program.
• Check your math!

Once you’ve completed the budget, you’ve completed the body of the proposal – the main dish! Now you’re ready to write a summary.

A summary is brief and may be just a few sentences. But it gives an overview of the entire proposal. And, while it is written last, it is almost always placed at the very beginning of a grant proposal. Since it is usually the first thing that reviewers will see, craft it with care! Pick out a key point from every section of narrative and write a sentence about it. Then, summarize the budget and how much you are requesting. That’s it.

Attachments

Sometimes funders require that you send additional attachments along with your proposal. Typically requested items include brief resumes of key staff, job descriptions, letters of support or commitment from collaborating organizations, your organization’s current operating budget, and a copy of your organization’s 501(c)(3) letter from the Internal Revenue Service. Have these typical attachments on hand and keep them up-to-date so they’re ready to go when you need them.

A Few General Tips for Preparing the Grant Proposal

• Use short sentences and paragraphs.
• Edit, edit, edit. Get rid of excess words.
• Write so that anyone can understand what you mean.
• Have someone who is not familiar with your organization or the proposed program read the  grant proposal. Can they understand what you are saying?
• Use simple language. A grant proposal is not the place to dazzle others with your vast vocabulary.
• Avoid acronyms or jargon. In fact, don’t use them.
• Make your point at the beginning of each section and at the beginning of each paragraph. This prepares the proposal for skimmers. Remember, reviewers usually have many proposals to read. They appreciate your getting to the point.
• Include “the human face” — quotes, brief anecdotes and examples can make your proposal more readable and understandable. Remember that reviewers are human; the more interesting we make the proposal, the more likely it will be read thoroughly.

Take Time to Produce a High-Quality Proposal – This Isn’t Fast Food

Finally, remember that a grant proposal isn’t fast food or even a ten-minute recipe. It requires careful thought and planning. The better you plan on the front end, the greater the likelihood that the program will be successful – not just in obtaining a grant, but in making a difference in the lives of others. And that’s really what it’s all about!

Find the Right Funders Where’s the Money?

Once you understand your organization’s mission and priorities, you’re ready to begin identifying funders that might be a good fit.

Let’s start with a few key points:

• There are no shortcuts to finding the right funding source. Nothing can replace thorough research.
• Look beyond the obvious funders to find a wider group of prospects.
• Grantmakers can change interest areas, application processes, and staff. Always get the most up-to-date information.
• Get strong community support before seeking funding outside your community. Local support can build a potential funder’s confidence in your organization.
• Grantmakers receive tons of requests for funding. Don’t waste their time–or yours–with requests that don’t align with their interests.

BE STRATEGIC

Your task is to identify all potential funders whose interests align with your organization’s mission, priorities, and program plans. Sometimes you’ll focus your search on grantmakers for a specific program. That’s fine. But to build a grant funding program that will be most productive over time, it’s best to explore the entire universe of grantmakers to find those that are the best fit for your organization.

Don’t approach this task in a hit-or-miss manner. Lots of internet sites provide lists of foundations and announcements of upcoming foundation or government funding opportunities, and you may run across some promising opportunities there. But browsing free sites and responding to list-serve announcements puts you in a disorganized, reactive position that won’t produce the best results. Learn about the serious research tools available then use them in a well-considered, strategic way to find appropriate funders.

Even if the database you subscribe to saves your searches, supplement that tool with an Excel or Google sheet to organize your research and avoid getting overwhelmed by the data.

There are two general types of grant funders: government and private .

GOVERNMENT GRANTMAKERS

Grantmakers exist at all levels of government, from the federal level down to the local level.

RESEARCH TOOLS FOR FEDERAL GRANTMAKERS

There are several resources available for identifying federal funding programs, and each requires that you think broadly about the terminology you use in identifying your organization’s interests.

To get started, think about the problems or issues your organization is addressing and brainstorm key words and phrases to use in your research. For example, if your organization’s work focuses on teen substance abuse, key words and phrases might include substance abuse, drug abuse, addiction, health, alcohol, drugs, youth development, adolescents, teens, drug abuse treatment, drug abuse counseling, etc.

In order to apply for federal funding, you need to follow a few important steps:

• Get a Dun & Bradstreet number (aka: a D-U-N-S number) at: Allow at least a couple of days for completion of this process. You can use this resource to search for grant programs, and it’s also the portal through which many grant applications must be submitted.
• Register with SAM.gov at: This is the official site for registering to do business with the federal government. Allow up to five weeks for completion of this registration process.
• Register with grants.gov at: Grants.gov is the main tool you will use for identifying federal funding. Ideally, registration for grants.gov can be accomplished the same day.

It’s always a good idea to allow more time for each step above, if you can.

Registration on these sites is free and does not commit your organization to making a specific application for funds.

Once you have identified potential opportunities, read the program listing carefully. Is your organization eligible?

• Visit the relevant federal agency’s website to learn all you can about the program.
• Contact the agency’s designated staff member if there are important questions you can’t answer from studying the relevant websites.

RESEARCHING STATE, COUNTY, AND MUNICIPAL GRANTMAKERS

State, county, and municipal grantmakers rarely have a structured, user-friendly way of letting applicants know when a grant competition will open – or even that a grant program exists. For the most part, to unearth the possibilities, grantseekers have to become detectives. A few words of advice:

• Call the offices of government officials and ask if there is a system that makes grant application announcements available to the public. If there isn’t (as is often the case), ask how you can learn about grant opportunities.
• Visit government websites and explore the various departments to see if grant programs appear to be available.
• Speak to elected officials about what resources might be available.

PRIVATE GRANTMAKERS

Non-governmental funders include private foundations, community foundations, corporate foundations, and federated grantmaking organizations such as United Way.

As a part of your research, look for any connections that may help your organization build a relationship with the funder’s board or staff members. Establishing a relationship with a foundation prior to submitting a proposal is a basic strategy that is worth the time and effort.

RESEARCH TOOLS FOR PRIVATE FUNDERS

Like the search for government funds, the starting point for private funders is a list of key words and phrases. This list will be similar to the one you used for government funders, but expand it with words relating to the type of support you’re looking for, and your type of organization. For example, if one of your organization’s priorities is to reduce health-care inequities by building a free community health clinic, you might use key words and phrases such as capital support, health, health care, social justice, free clinics, health care inequity, low income, and uninsured. And you’ll want to target foundations that have expressed interest in your organization’s geographic service area.

There are now myriad databases making many claims. You need to carefully check them out and determine if they will meet your needs. There is no single, free database of information on all foundations. To get serious and get best results, consider a subscription. Here’s two we can recommend to help you conduct thorough research:

Candid was created in 2019 when The Foundation Center merged with Guidestar. Extensive databases of foundation information have been combined with comprehensive data on nonprofit organizations for a powerful research tool. Some information is available for free on the website. To access the free services you’ll need to register and set up an account. To dig deeper, with structured research, you’ll likely want to use one of the online fee-based subscription services. When you search the nonprofits database by zip code, you’ll discover foundation as well as colleague nonprofits because foundations are also nonprofit organizations. Candid resources are also available in-person, without fees, at their Funding Information Network (FIN), carious libraries and regional centers across the U.S. For a list and map of Funding Information Network locations, go to: candid.org/find-us .

GrantStation provides a continuously updated database of information on private and government grantmakers. The Grantsmanship Center partners with GrantStation providing access to their databases for the Center’s training participants and alumni. After training, alumni continue to have access to GrantStation as an Alumni Membership benefit. You can also subscribe separately to GrantStation.

GrantStation funder criteria:

• The funder accepts unsolicited proposals, applications, or letters of inquiry.
• The funder accepts requests from a range of organizations, not solely one specific group, such as members of an association.
• The funder provides grants. Select product donations, fellowships, training programs, etc. are also included. Funders that only provide scholarships are not included.

Foundation Websites are hugely helpful, but unfortunately not all foundations actually have websites. If they do, study them. You may be able to find details on their missions and giving interests, past grants including amounts and purposes, application guidelines, names of officers and staff. Read everything on the website. The more thorough your research, the better equipped you will be to make contact with the foundation.

Foundation Tax Returns. These are called 990-PFs, are public information, and for researching the many foundations that don’t have websites, they’re absolutely essential. Use Candid 990 Finder : Free, no registration required.

State and Regional Directories. Organizations and publishers have developed state-level foundation directories for most states or regions. Some are in print format and some are free online. Use a web search engine to look for a foundation directory for your state.

The Grantsmanship Center’s State Grant Resources webpage provide both government and private funder information—It’s free and requires no registration.

STRUCTURING A SEARCH FOR PRIVATE GRANTMAKERS

Use the available research tools to search for private grant makers that align with the mission and priorities of your organization, and that fund in the geographic region you serve. Use the key word lists you’ve developed, and don’t limit your research only to grantmakers who are appropriate for an immediate funding need. Instead, develop a repository of information that can support your organization’s work for the long-run.

Start by using a good database, and then use the 990-PF tax returns to fill in the blanks where necessary.

As you examine information on grantmakers, keep these questions in mind.

• Do they limit funding to specific geographic areas?
• Are their expressed areas of interest aligned with those of your organization?
• What’s the typical grant award amount for an organization such as yours?
• Do they accept unsolicited applications? If they don’t, a relationship is critical.
• Does the foundation have staff? Those who do are more approachable than the large percentage that don’t.

Even the most extensive databases available do not show every grant that a funder has made, to whom, and in what amount–and that information is critical. So unless a foundation maintains a thorough website or publishes a full annual report, the only place you’ll find that information is in its tax return. Information about grant awards is found in Part XV, Line 3 or on a list, attached to the end of the return.

As you move along in your research, analyze what you’re finding and strategize about how you can use it. Do you see grantmaking trends? Can you find connections with foundation officers or staff members? The more you know about a foundation, the better prepared you are to talk to its staff and board members and, ultimately, to submit a proposal.

Doing the research to identify funders may seem like an unnecessary hurdle that takes too much time and effort. But finding grantmakers that are aligned with your mission, geography, and goals will contribute to your grant success so that your organization can make a difference in people’s lives.

We hear the words "grant writer" and "grant writing" all the time. But how about swapping those words for something better—more accurate, more effective, and all-inclusive?

Who cares? Why get picky with this language? Because we know words matter, affecting how we think and ultimately impacting what we do.

The field of grant development, formally initiated in 1972 with training by The Grantsmanship Center, has grown, evolved, and become more complex, touching a vast number of lives. We get it, “grant writer” is often meant as shorthand, an abbreviation used by busy people moving mountains to make the world better. Here’s why we'd like to change this terminology:

First, it’s incorrect.

If you’re a grantmaker, then you write grants. But if you’re trying to get grant funding, then you write proposals or applications, not grants. And a more accurate title might be: grant proposal writer, grant developer, grant specialist, development specialist, grant professional , or something else. But not “grant writer.” Grantmakers write grants.

It’s a misdirect.

“Grant writing” implies that the “grant” (the award) plus “writing” sums it all up. It can inadvertently trigger chasing money instead of pursuing impact—a counterproductive, even dangerous approach.

What matters more than the money is what your program will accomplish—the results—the outcomes you’re proposing. Sure, money’s a factor—a tool—but it’s just not the most important ingredient.

And it’s misleading because developing a successful grant proposal requires so much more than writing. Yes, writing is certainly part of it, but writing is the culmination of a more complex planning process. Critical thinking, logic, data, and a sense of humanity inspire funders to award grants. Careless thinking, with faulty assumptions and bloviated claims, leads to declines, no matter how lovely the written words.

“Grant writer” suggests that people simply put words on a page to get money—like pulling a rabbit out of a hat. It doesn’t work that way.

It shortchanges people and the process.

You'd never intentionally disrespect colleagues or the people you serve, right? Of course not! But this terminology does just that by leaving out key people and essential processes.

Successful grant proposals rely on solid program planning, research, and teamwork. They show an understanding of the community, its needs, and the causes of the problems it faces. It’s a thoughtful process, which at its best is logical, culturally sensitive and inspired by a drive to help others.

Funders ask: “What about the people you serve—did you engage them in planning?” Those people, your beneficiaries, are critical to this process. When their vision, voices, and experience are neglected or left out, a project is usually doomed.

And what about program staff? Ever heard the wails after a grant was awarded and program staff who weren’t consulted asked, “You want us to do what ?”

When administrators and the board are overlooked or ignored, valuable insight, guidance, and muscle are lost. They're left feeling blindsided and the work may be jeopardized. Other community leaders and organizations also have a stake in your work. Collaborations that include their energy and knowledge will benefit everyone.

Developing an effective grant proposal depends on connecting with people, getting informed, listening to various viewpoints, juggling disparate personalities and priorities, building coalitions, being an advocate, and ultimately creating and articulating a compelling plan for action that reflects the community. It's so much more than just writing. When the process succeeds, it's because it wraps its arms around everyone, authentically meeting community needs so that grant funding actually helps make positive change.

Whatever your job title —proposal writer, program planner, development director, executive director, grant professional, board member, volunteer, or something else—we know that your hours are often long as you bring vital change to your community. Thank you for your passion, hard work and dedication—for what you contribute and accomplish every day!

We wish you great success and satisfaction!

Want more? The Grantsmanship Center has a wealth of resources for you! For more than 50 years, we’ve served nonprofits, academia, government, and Native American groups by providing training and the textbook, Grantsmanship: Program Planning & Proposal Writing . Choose a training to fit your budget, schedule, and experience and join 150,000+ alumni helping to build a better world!

Managing Your Grant Nuts, Bolts, Coffee

Everyone is elated! All the planning and research paid off and your organization has been awarded its first grant. Whether it’s a $500,000 grant from the US government or a $10,000 grant from a private foundation, now’s the time to lay essential groundwork to ensure grant funds will be spent and accounted for as required, and that program obligations will be met. Welcome to the world of grants management.

The Initial Paperwork

As you might imagine, government grants come with more red tape than foundation or corporate grants. For government grants, your top executive officer or board chairperson must usually sign and return documents accepting the grant award and agreeing to reporting and fund draw-down requirements, as well as any other special requirements that have been attached to the funding. This is strictly a business transaction—there’s no need to send along a warm letter of appreciation. Be sure to return paperwork by the required deadline.

Corporations and foundations sometimes require that officers sign a letter accepting the grant award, but often they don’t—a check simply arrives in the mail with a letter of congratulations laying out the expected reporting requirements. If you’re expected to return a signed acceptance document, do so promptly and be sure to include a letter expressing appreciation, acknowledging any reporting requirements, and inviting the funder for a visit. While this is a business transaction, it’s also a starting point for building an ongoing relationship of trust, commitment, and support.

Establish both an electronic and hard-copy file for each grant your organization receives. Since so much business done electronically, be sure that e-documents and emails are organized for easy access–and be sure electronic documents are backed-up in case of a failure in technology. Place copies of signed grant documents in a hard-copy file, and keep the file updated with subsequent correspondence related to the grant. When an e-document is of particular importance, print it out and file it here as well.

Put the Financial House in Order

To establish your organization’s ability to receive and manage grants, it’s necessary to establish adequate accounting practices and systems.

A primary concept in grants management is that each specific grant award should be accounted for as an “independent cost center.” This means that all income from a grant and expenditures from that grant are accounted for as a distinct, separate category within your accounting system. This is a basic protection against co-mingling all funding into one big pot and losing track of what money paid for what expenditure. Using an “independent cost center” approach helps to ensure that grant funds are spent for the intended purpose and can be fully accounted for at all times.

While this article can’t provide a basic overview of bookkeeping or accounting, the strength and clarity of your organization’s fiscal systems will play heavily into the ability to manage grants. If a strong accounting system is not in place, and if there’s not an expert on staff, seek guidance from someone who knows what they’re doing.

A few of the most basic, most critical rules include:

• Only expend funds as laid out in the approved grant budget
• Never use funds from a grant for items not included in the grant budget or for purposes other than those described in the grant narrative
• If the original budget requires an amendment in order to support the purpose of the grant, contact the funder to get permission before making changes
• Support every expenditure with adequate documentation
• Use a system of checks and balances so that no one person is solely in charge of the money (e.g., dual sign-offs on expenditure requests and checks).
• Keep receipts, documentation, and monthly financial statements well-organized and accessible
• Monitor grant expenditures monthly to ensure that over-spending or under-spending can be addressed before the end of the grant period

If your organization doesn’t have a high-quality accounting software package, get one or retain an experienced bookkeeping firm. Strong financial management is essential to the health of your organization and there’s no way to manage grants effectively if the fiscal house isn’t in order.

Review the Grant Proposal

In the euphoria of receiving grant funds, staff members can forget to review the grant proposal to refresh their memory on the specifics laid out in the narrative and this can lead to problems. It is not unusual for three to nine months to pass between submission of a proposal and receipt of an award. Nobody’s memory is that good.

Upon receipt of an award, call a meeting of the executive, fiscal, and program staff who will be involved and review the grant document to ensure a common understanding of exactly what must be done. If the grant included a thorough Methods Section with a detailed time-line assigning responsibility for major tasks, that will be extremely helpful.

If the proposal didn’t include that, now’s a good time to hammer out those details. By reviewing the proposal thoroughly and making sure all elements are implemented as planned, you’ll be laying the groundwork for success and avoiding major problems that are inevitable when grant implementation drifts off course from the original plan.

Understand Rules and Regulations

While all grants management requires checks, balances, documentation, fiscal controls, and the like, there is no doubt that grants from government agencies are especially demanding.

If you have received a grant from a federal government agency, be sure you study that agency’s rules and regulations regarding grants, and that you also study the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular that specifies the administrative rules regarding grants to an organization such as yours (i.e., nonprofit organization, hospital, educational institution, municipality, etc.). If the agency doesn’t provide you with a grants management document or booklet, ask if they have one and if so, get it. OMB Circulars can be found at www.whitehouse.gov/omb/circulars .

If you don’t understand something, figure out who can provide you with accurate information and call them. If you are overwhelmed, retain a consultant to determine exactly what you need to do and to help you get the necessary systems set up.

Schedule Reports

Almost all grants require that financial and program progress reports be submitted according to a schedule. With the hectic work pace that often accompanies receipt of a grant award, it’s critical to establish a system for recording when reports are due and then reminding responsible staff of upcoming deadlines. If staff members realize that reports are due within a week, or are past due, it’s not possible to do a high-quality job. Poor or late reporting will damage your organization’s credibility with the funder.

Even if a funder does not demand reports, provide them. It’s good business practice, enhances credibility, and helps to build a solid relationship with the funder. You can establish your own reporting calendar in this situation, but take it seriously and make sure you provide information at the six- and twelve-month points at a minimum. If you’ve never done a grant report, and the funder hasn’t provided a format, include the following information:

• Financial overview: explain the grant’s status including income, expenditures by line-item, and funds remaining
• Program implementation: Update the funder on was originally planned and what has been accomplished to date
• Program Outcomes: The best evaluation plans measure program results as the grant work progresses, rather than at the end of the period of grant support. Provide the funder with information on evaluation activities and on the degree to which the program is producing the results that were expected.
• Change of Plans: If an alteration of the planned approach is needed to achieve the best outcomes, explain what you need to change and why. If the alternation is major or will result in budget changes, you’ll need to request a meeting or phone call with the funder.
• Challenges, Successes, and Lessons: If your organization has encountered specific challenges in implementing the program, or has had great success in some area, let the funder know. And if there are lessons that have been learned that will inform the future work of your organization, explain that as well.
• Attachments: Attaching pictures, news clips, letters from the people benefitting from the program, or other relevant information can bring the report alive and engage the funder more deeply. Don’t overdo it, and don’t do it at all if the funder asks you not to.

Reports, like any other important documents, must be passed up a chain of command for sign-offs before being submitted. When establishing the reporting calendar, schedule in time for submission of drafts to supervisors, draft revisions, and final sign-off.

An Outlook or other electronic calendar can be used to schedule reports and remind staff members of deadlines, and a master reporting calendar can be established on a spreadsheet. Just be sure that someone is minding that shop.

Don’t Forget Partner Organizations

Most grant proposals include some sort of collaboration with other organizations. These partnerships are usually critical to implementing a program and sometimes involve the sharing of grant funds through subcontracts. When the funded proposal includes partnerships with other organizations, it’s critical to make a strong start together and avoid misunderstandings. To accomplish that:

• Immediately inform partner organizations that your organization has been awarded the grant.
• Provide partner groups with a copy of the grant proposal, or at least with that portion of the proposal that spells out their involvement in the program’s implementation.
• The amount of funds to be provided, and the payment schedule (funds should be provided incrementally in response to deliverables)
• Reports required and deadlines
• Services to be delivered and timeline
• Consequences of non-compliance with contract agreements
• Hold a meeting of partners to celebrate the grant award, to review each organization’s role, to agree on reporting deadlines, and to finalize start-up plans. Be sure the discussions are recorded.

Announce it to the Community

A grant award increases your organization’s capacity to serve the community and shows that funders are willing to invest in its work. Some funders request that their grant contributions be announced to the public, but even when they don’t, it’s a good idea. Let the public know what’s happening, highlight your organization’s commitment to the cause, and publicly thank your funder for the support. It’s a good investment in community relations and funder relations, and may even help build future support for what you’re doing.

Attend Monthly Webinars to Hone Your Grant Writing Skills

Funding News Edition: March 6, 2024 See more articles in this edition

NIAID is hosting a virtual grant writing webinar series called “Debuting Your Research Career: How to Plan for and Write Your First (or Next) NIH Grant Application.” This monthly webinar series is free and open to pre- and post-doctoral fellows, clinician-scientists, and early-career investigators. 

The webinar topics and session dates are as follows: 

• Navigating NIH to Prepare Your Grant Application: F Awards—March 21, 2024 
• Navigating NIH to Prepare Your Grant Application: K Awards—April 18, 2024 
• Developing Your Candidate Information Section and Research Strategy for F and K Awards—May 23, 2024 
• Navigating NIH to Prepare Your Grant Application: DP2/R38/K38 Awards—June 20, 2024 
• Understanding the Peer Review Process—July 18, 2024 

Each session is from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Eastern Time. 

You need to register only once to attend all the sessions. Go to  NIAID Grant Writing Webinar Series . 

Direct questions to Dr. Jyothi Arikkath at  [email protected] .

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

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Grant writing workshops

Free Online Webinars

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I enjoy connecting with researchers across the globe by offering free online grant writing webinars at several points during the year. Information on my upcoming free online workshops is announced on this page and via my Newsletters.

• I consent that my name and email will be stored in order to inform me of research grant resources, services and events. Your data will never be shared with third parties. *

Institutional & Conference Workshops

I also offer in-depth grant writing workshops for university departments and research associations.

I currently offer the following workshops whose content is always tailored to the specific researcher audience:

1. Grant writing as storytelling

This workshop offers professional training in grant writing that is designed for scholars working across the social sciences and humanities from the postdoctoral level and above . The workshop consists of two parts: the first aims to persuade participants about why it is useful to consider effective grant writing as a practice of storytelling. The second part aims to provide participants with a rhetorical framework which is useful for thinking through how to craft the narrative of their grants.

This can be delivered as a 1-hour or 2-hour workshop, with the latter offering a more interactive session, including a reflective writing exercise for scholars to experiment with communicating their grant idea using the provided storytelling framework.

“Our department, a mix of ECRs and more established academics, took Natalie’s ‘Grant writing as storytelling’ workshop. The workshop, which was a mix of discussion and reflective exercises, gave us a storytelling framework to use when presenting our research ideas to funders. Everyone who came to the workshop has given feedback that they found this incredibly useful to help make their ideas stand out and resonate in a competitive funding environment and are using it in their writing practice .” – Dr. Claire Pierson, Department of Politics, University of Liverpool

“ One of the most fruitful decisions I have made in my role of Research Centre director was to invite Dr Papanastasiou to deliver the ‘Grant writing as storytelling’ workshop. Not only Early Career Researchers,  but also senior researchers have benefited greatly from her innovative approach to grant writing as a practice of storytelling. The workshop was so successful that I invited Dr Papastanasiou to deliver a second one , this time pan-university. My role entails reviewing bids before submission to funders: since the workshop I have seen several examples of narrative bid  writing, with some success already coming to the Centre.” – Prof. Federico Farini, Centre for Psychological & Sociological Sciences, University of Northampton

2. Developing your first research grant

This 90-minute workshop develops early career researchers’ (postdoctoral researchers and advanced PhD researchers) understandings of how to go about developing an idea into a competitive grant proposal. It covers key principles of grant writing, and explains why grants matter to an academic career, challenges related to writing research grants, the key features of a successful research grant, and strategies for starting grant writing in the best possible way. The aim is for participants to leave the workshop with a clear understanding of how to build a grant writing strategy into the next steps of their career.

“Natalie delivered a tailored workshop on how to write research grants for Early Career Researchers during our annual conference. Her workshop was sympathetic to the challenges we as ECRs face in our career stage but also emphasised the opportunities – she helped demystify the research grant application process . She provided tangible advice on how to approach writing grants and tactics to make them successful. I recommend ECRs to go to Natalie’s workshop. It has helped me prepare for future grant applications. ”

–  Elsa Bengtsson Meuller, 2022-23 Treasurer of Political Studies Association’s Early Career Network

Interested in getting in touch?

If you’d like to learn more about my workshop content and fees, you can fill out my contact form and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

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Grant Writing Workshops

NIH-wide grant writing workshops and resources are available through NIH’s Office of Intramural Training and Education (OITE), Office of Extramural Research (OER), and the Extramural Nexus blog. In addition, the NIDDK Fellowship Office offers grant writing workshops to all NIDDK postdoctoral fellows, including IRTAs, research fellows, visiting fellows, clinical fellows, special volunteers, and contractors, with an advanced graduate degree (M.D., Ph.D., or equivalent). Fellows will gain an edge in future hiring, especially at academic institutions. They will also practice critical thinking around developing budgets and justifications, skills that are essential for running a laboratory.

2024 NIDDK Grant Writing Workshops

NIDDK will offer grant writing workshops in Fall 2024. Workshop dates, times and locations are below.

Fellows will review the concepts and structure to prepare a successful grant proposal, with special emphasis on the Career Transition “K” grant series, Nancy Nossal Fellowship Awards, and K99/R00 applications. The workshops will concentrate on NIH proposals and will include a mock study section. Participants will learn to develop a rigorous, well-defined experimental plan.

How to Register

Interested NIDDK fellows should email a letter of support (DOCX, 22.54 KB) , signed by their principal investigator, to  Lorraine Moore .

Workshop Format

The workshops will be structured in the following format. Each six-day workshop will be divided into three sessions. Sessions will combine didactic presentations with mini group discussions, assignments, and proposal writing. A distance-learning component will allow students to submit their writing between in-person sessions; they will receive edits and feedback through email and phone conversations. A detailed schedule of each session is available below.

• review workshop content, NIH grant guidelines, and funding mechanisms
• review NIH-style biosketch components and content creation
• search the RePORT database for funded projects

Assignments:

• compile an NIH-style biosketch
• conduct a RePORT database search
• review specific aims - what are they and how do you write them?
• write a draft introduction to a specific aims page
• write two specific aims and one hypothesis
• discuss draft hypotheses & specific aims
• discuss previous specific aims assignment
• discuss significance section: contents and organization
• discuss innovation section

Assignment:

• write significance and innovation sections
• discuss rationale and problems and solutions sections
• discuss where to put preliminary studies
• discuss how to organize a research design
• discuss what reviewers are looking for
• assign grants for review for mock study section
• write up one experimental section of the research design
• wrap-up and considerations of other grant components
• participate in mock study section

About the Instructor

Paula Gregory, Ph.D. Director, Faculty Development Office Professor Department of Genetics Department of Cell Biology & Anatomy Louisiana State University School of Medicine, New Orleans (LSUHSC-New Orleans)

Dr. Gregory has been consistently funded by the NIH since 1997 and is currently a Principal Investigator on six NIH grants (NHLBI, NIDDK, NIAAA, NIGMS and OD). She has shared her expertise in grant writing with graduate students at LSU and post docs at the NHGRI since 2004. During that time, numerous students have been awarded F30/32s and K awards (K23s and K99s).

Dr. Gregory is also the Director of the Office of Faculty Development for the School of Medicine. In that role, she mentors new faculty and facilitates their career transition, ensuring their career success. She has also used her grant writing expertise to help many faculty successfully compete for research funding.

Additional information about Dr. Paula Gregory is available in her LSUHSC-New Orleans biography .

Grant Writing Boot Camp (GWBC)

Live webinar, diane h. leonard gpc, all our available online training comes with:, instructor-led q&a, comprehensive coverage, tailored for diverse sectors, post-training support, instant replay access, confidence building, grant readiness and pre-planning, developing program design elements, building your workplan and staffing, budgets, assurances, and final submission, diane h. leonard, gpc, rst.

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Advanced Course in Grant Writing (AGW)

Get hands-on experience preparing grant applications for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Science Foundation (NSF) or other funding institutions during the  Advanced Course in Grant Writing (AGW).

During this intensive, four-part course led by faculty with expertise in preparing and submitting grants, participants will gain insight into the entire grant preparation process (including a personalized review of your proposal), leaving you equipped with a polished grant proposal as a principal investigator.

Workshop dates and location

Session I:  Sept. 19–20, 2024; In person at RSNA headquarters Session II: Nov. 7–8, 2024; Virtual Session III:  Jan. 30–31, 2025; Virtual Session IV:  April 24–25, 2025; In person at RSNA headquarters

Applications are closed

The application deadline for the 2024–25 workshop has passed. Applications for next year's workshop will be available by March 2025.

Participants are responsible for air travel and ground transportation to the course site. RSNA will provide meals and hotel accommodations for two nights during the first and fourth sessions. There is no separate fee for this course.

Learning objectives

• Articulate the elements of an effective grant proposal.
• Produce a quality study design, supported by a well-justified budget and a realistic timeline.
• Write a grant proposal for the intended audience in compliance with grant instructions and demonstrate the mechanics and logic of effective expository writing.
• Describe the components and psychology of the grant review process.

Applicant criteria

The course is open to all subspecialties in radiology, radiation oncology and nuclear medicine.

Successful applicants must:

• Agree to attend all four sessions in the format advertised
• Have no previous funding as a principal investigator on an NIH- or NSF-funded project
• Hold an MD or PhD and be a faculty member
• Have the support of the department chair, including release time to attend the course sessions and time to complete assignments
• Have a viable research idea that matches current research priorities
• Have a mentor who is willing to provide written input on the proposal-in-progress
• Be prepared to discuss and develop their research idea over the course of the four sessions, with the aim to submit a proposal to NIH, NSF or other funding entity by the October 2025 deadline
• Commit to having an RSNA membership at the time of the program, if accepted

The Society of Interventional Radiology (SIR) Foundation will provide up to four travel awards for selected interventional radiology participants (sponsored applicants must be SIR members).

Course director

Gayle Woloschak, PhD

Accreditation Statement

The Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

CME credit information

This activity has been approved for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit TM .

Please direct all workshop questions to [email protected] and we will be happy to assist you.

Explore more RSNA opportunities

• Grant Writing Workshop Series

The CCPR grant writing workshop includes an overview of the basics, including NIH funding mechanisms, types of grant programs focused on the R series with some discussion of K series.

Finding a funding opportunity (FOA): Parent Announcements, Program Announcements (PAs) vs. Request for Applications (RFAs) Administrative and other supplements Roles on a grant (PI, Co-PI, Co-Investigator, others), the process of preparing NIH proposals, identifying NIH institute (NIH matchmaker), working with NIH staff, due dates and the application to funding timeline, applications & resubmissions.

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View All Events

Write Winning Grant Proposals

Tuesday, October 01 2024 to Tuesday, October 01 2024 from 8:30am to 4:30pm

Room 3580, Memorial Union

Join the Office of the Vice President for Research as we host Dr. John Robertson for the Write Winning Grant Proposals workshop. Dr. Robertson will focus on effective grant writing strategies, point out areas that can help your proposal stand out from the crowd, and highlight differences between the funding agencies.

Grant Writers’ Seminars & Workshops was founded by academicians, for academicians to help researchers obtain formal training in how to support their work with grant proposal writing.

This widely acclaimed seminar comprehensively addresses both practical and conceptual aspects that are important to the proposal-writing process. Emphasis is given to such things as idea development, identification of the most appropriate granting agency, how to write for reviewers, and tips and strategies that are of proven value in presenting an applicant’s case to reviewers.

Participants are taught to write with a linear progression of logic, which leads reviewers through their applications. It is stressed that applicants are writing for two different audiences – the assigned reviewers, who have read the application in its entirety, and non-assigned reviewers who may have read little, or nothing, of the proposal before the meeting of the review panel. Strategies, tools, and tips designed to merit a fundable priority score are emphasized. The focus of the seminar will be on grant applications to many types of funding agencies.

Register here by September 17 to ensure your workbook order is ready on the day of the workshop.

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Training and consultancy.

Research Grant Writing Workshop

This workshop explains my approach to writing research-grant and research-fellowship applications and includes exercises to develop skill. The approach is based on my own experience of winning funding and on my analysis of thousands of funding decisions in which I participated. The workshops teach my solution to the problem of writing the Case for Support , the document that determines whether or not you get funded.

My approach to grant-writing draws on my experience as a science journalist. I have created a design for the Case for Support that ensures that it answers the two most important questions that every research funder considers when deciding whether or not to award a grant:-

• Is the topic of the research important (to the funder)?
• Is the project likely to make substantial progress?

Importantly, the design ensures that the Case for Support answers the questions in a way that will satisfy the three readership groups who influence the funding decision:-

• The referees; they are experts on the topic and have plenty of time to read the Case for Support. Their role in the decision is indirect: they write a report for the committee and recommend a score.
• The presenting committee members; they probably know something about the topic and have about an hour to read the Case for Support. Their role in the decision is to explain your case for support to the other members of the committee and participate in the discussion and vote on your score.
• The ordinary committee members; they probably know very little about the topic and have only a few minutes to read the Case for Support. They will act as presenting members for applications on other topics. Their role in the decision is to participate in the discussion and vote on your score.

Although the ordinary committee members know least and spend the least time on your application, they typically comprise 90% of the group who vote on your score.

These workshops are even more useful for senior academics than they are for early career researchers because my design for the Case for Support makes it possible to write multiple applications very efficiently. The Case for Support begins with a set of ten key sentences that answer the funders’ two questions, and then re-uses the key sentences as a framework to organise the evidence that supports the answers. Committee members find the answers just by reading the introduction; referees can find the detail that supports the answers by using the key sentences as signposts. It is easy to understand the principles of the approach but executing it is difficult and requires skill.

The workshop explains the approach, its rationale, and the specifications of a set of key sentences for a project grant. It discusses how to create key sentences to support other types of grant, such as fellowships.

The materials include:-

• more than 20 short video lectures that cover all the topics in the popular face-to-face workshops I used to deliver,
• extended text explaining the topics covered in the lectures, and
• examples and exercises on the key skills.

This brief trailer gives a flavour of the workshop style.

The workshop can be taken as an interactive workshop, delivered to a group of up to 30 participants or as a self-paced individual workshop. We also offer a face-to-face workshops for groups of up to 20.

• In the interactive workshops, up to 30 participants work to develop the skill of writing key sentences . The workshop begins with a live introduction to the problem with zoom (2 hours on day 1), in which they get set a ‘homework’ task of writing a set of key sentences. This session is recorded so that participants who miss the session can catch up and institutions can re-use the introduction for internal workshops. Participants have access to all the materials in the on-line workshop for 28 days and they get  feedback on their homework during that time in an individual zoom session, and a one-hour group zoom session for debriefing. The the timing of the feedback and debriefing sessions can be adjusted to suit participants. Cost is £200 per participant, with a minimum charge of £2000. The maximum number of participants that can be accommodated in the zoom sessions is about 30. There is no charge for participants who attend the group zoom sessions as spectators and are not registered to use the interactive materials.
• The interactive workshop can also be offered without the group introduction and debrief. Each participant has access for 8 weeks to the on-line learning materials and can book an individual homework feedback session. The cost is £200 per participant, with no minimum.
• In the self-paced individual workshops, each participant has access for a week to video lectures and learning materials, which they can cover at their own pace. The price for this is £25 per person.  Institutions can buy coupons for multiple person-weeks at a  discount of 20% for a hundred. Individuals who want to save money by working through the material quickly can buy 24 hours access for £10, and those who want to work more slowly can buy 14 days access for £48 or 28 days access for £75. 
• Interactive workshops can also be tailored to local needs. For example it is possible to have longer feedback sessions, a group Q&A session, or for participants to work on a full Case for Support rather than just the key sentences.
• The face-to-face workshop takes place at the client’s premises and costs £3000 for up to 20 participants.

Individuals can sign up for the on-line workshop here and pay with a coupon or credit card. Institutions should use the contact form to enquire about arranging an interactive workshop or to enquire about purchasing a coupon for access to the on-line workshop for a group.

20% VAT is added to prices charged to institutions and individuals in the UK.

Contact us for more information.

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Grant-Writing Workshop: The National Science Foundation (NSF)

Grant writing workshop: the national science foundation (nsf).

The REd NSF Grant Writing Workshop is a one-day, hands-on workshop held in person (at this time through Zoom) to assist researchers  and investigators in developing competitive proposals for the National Science Foundation. The course will cover the grant writing process from framing research ideas appropriate for NSF, outlining and dra fting the core proposal elements, and addressing intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria. Participants will share and receive feedback on their project ideas, research questions, and broader impacts activities from both peers and experienced grant writers. This six-hour workshop is designed for sharing ideas and obtaining professional feedback. A followup meeting will be held two weeks after the workshop to further develop proposal outlines and drafts.

Registration Cap: 20

Criteria for Applicant:

• Complete the Grant Writing Foundation class on Canvas at least 10 business days prior to the workshop
• Full day (6-hour) attendance is required
• First time to apply to The National Science Foundation is recommended

REGISTER HERE

Diane E. Pataki, Ph.D.

Associate vice president for research professor of biological sciences university of utah, jesse morris, ph.d., assistant research professor grant writer geography.

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Get started with your grant writing preparation using the training resources below.

Books of Interest Find books online and in print related to grant writing.

Leaders of Africa Institute

Loa institute, grant writing and funding (gwf) workshop, accelerating impactful research through the mobilization of resources.

Quality research requires resources and partnerships. As a researcher, you are responsible for everything from preparation to write-up. Each piece of the research process has a cost whether in money or time. Because we care so much about the outcomes of the research, we may find ourselves writing off costs, self-funding aspects of the research, or severely limiting the scope of our work. The ever-increasing demands for rigorous research mean that we need to develop and implement cutting-edge research designs and tools. This comes at an increasing cost. The Grant Writing and Funding (GWF) Workshop 2024 is about identifying the true cost of our research and the real value that our research has for key stakeholders and broader society. When we know how to articulate the value of our work, we can garner significant resources and engage broader audiences for social impact.

About the Program

Finding and assessing funding opportunities.

The Grant Writing and Funding (GWF) Workshop provides instruction and support for finding and assessing grant opportunities. Putting together a funding application is time-consuming. Therefore, one of the key tenets of funding success is applying to the right opportunities and not chasing every existing opportunity. In the GWF, we cover different types of funding opportunities, where to find quality opportunities, how to read a call for proposals, and how to assess the fit for our research projects. We will also discuss background research on funding opportunities, including interpreting a funder’s existing portfolio of support. Assessing funding opportunities is the first step to understanding what the funder actually wants and requires.

Crafting Grant Proposals

Grant writing is just one genre of research writing and has a specific set of expectations. During the program, we examine different rubrics for assessing grant proposals and discuss how the assessment criteria should shape our approach to the grant proposal. The program covers standard and non-standard grant proposal templates. In the program, we provide instruction on how to exceed the expectations for each section of a grant proposal (e.g., framing, work plan, original contribution, social impact, and public engagement).

Transparent Budgeting

A major part of a grant proposal or application is the financial ask. The program covers processes for creating budgets that will reasonably cover the research work from start to finish, and how to justify budgetary items in the funding proposal.

The Grant Writing and Funding Workshop is a program of the Leaders of Africa Institute. The workshop builds on the curriculum of the Institute’s award-winning Research Methods Program by offering personalized mentorship, stakeholder and resource mobilization skills, rigorous and advanced grant writing instruction, and a supportive international research community. The program is open to all fields from public health to social science and is a perfect fit for researchers, lecturers and professors, graduate students, and social innovators.

Research Writing

Grant writing involves framing your research and emphasizing the expected impact in ways that can be understood by reviewers within and outside of (or adjacent to) your area of expertise. Many calls for proposals and applications are broad enough that non-experts may review your proposal. In the program, we practice balancing our in-depth field knowledge with accessibility.

Engagement with Funding Stakeholders

Engaging with relevant organizations and individuals in advance of sharing a grant proposal can be beneficial in most cases. Many times this occurs indirectly through our previous research and collaborations and other times directly by reaching out to relevant stakeholders. The program provides approaches to strategically engaging with stakeholders such that mobilizing support and resources becomes more likely and consistent.

Important Dates & Info

Personal mentorship.

The program offers mentoring and a personalized relationship with instructors. The program also offers a framework for international networking and building research relationships that span the globe. Participants will also have access to the Leaders of Africa Institute’s professional network.

Registration Open: January 18, 2024

Registration Close: February 7, 2024

• Program Dates: Full Workshop Meetings will be February 11th, 18th, 25th, and March 3rd at ~3 PM UTC

Live Synchronous Virtual Cloud Classroom (~2 hours per week)

• Program Format: Live Synchronous Virtual Cloud Classroom (~2 hours per week)

Benefits & Qualifications

Official loai certificate, a partial or completed grant for a specific opportunity or a template for future opportunities, experience with grant budgeting, access to the leaders of africa institute professional network.

Registration Requirements

• Basic Contact Information
• Curriculum vitae / resume
• Professional Headshot Photo
• Research Background
• What are your research, thematic, and professional interests?
• What shaped your interest in research?
• What do you hope to learn from the Grant Writing and Funding Workshop at the Leaders of Africa Institute?
• What is your experience applying for research funding and grants? What successes have you had and what challenges have you faced? If you do not have experience, you can share this.
• How will this workshop help you meet or achieve your career and educational goals?

Frequently Asked Questions

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Grant Writing Workshop

Conducted every summer since its launch in 2011, the IPR Grant Writing Workshop is a structured process of peer engagement and review. The workshop meets every other week during the summer, starting in late May and extending through August or into September, depending on the needs of the participants. The workshop runs on a facilitated peer-review model: participants circulate and provide feedback on drafts, led by an experienced mentor. Participants should have a clear plan and a specific timeline for submission in order to benefit most from the workshop. 

Workshop participants will be invited to take advantage of two other IPR services: (i) IPR is prepared to cover the consultant fee (typically $500) for review of a draft application; (ii) Grants Manager Morris is available to provide hands-on administrative support to those submitting applications.

Information for summer 2024 will be released in spring 2024, or contact Senior Grants Manager Jill Morris ( [email protected] ) with questions. 

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Resources for scientific presentation skills and grant writing

Workshops to support you in developing your communication skills in the research arena.

We offer many communication workshops focused on educational and job searches . The workshops listed here can help you develop your skills in communicating your research.

Creating and Presenting a Scientific Poster

This workshop will help prepare you for scientific poster sessions and focuses on developing and presenting your poster. The workshop is offered in-person and online in the spring and summer and is appropriate for all NIH trainees and fellows. Search for a future session in Upcoming OITE Events .

Talking Science: Designing and Delivering Successful Oral Presentations

This workshop addesess the anatomy of a science talk, creating  reader-friendly slides, delivering content, and answering questions. The information will help you with presentations in group meetings, conferences and scientific meetings. The workshop is offered in-person and online in the spring and summer and is appropriate for all NIH trainees and fellows. Search for a future session in Upcoming OITE Events .

Grant Writing 101

This workshop provides an overview of the grant writing process, including exploring funding opportunities, the typical parts of a grant application, writing your research plan and unique elements of career development grants. Note that the workshop does not cover eligibility for specific funding mechanisms. The workshop is open to all trainees and fellows, but is most valuable for graduate students and postdocs. The workshop is offered virtually each spring. Search for a future session in Upcoming OITE Events .

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University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee

Office of Research

Main navigation, 2024 summer grant writing workshop, 2024 presentations.

Russell Wyland, NEH, Supporting Research at the Vanguard of Creativity and Reason

Joshua Roney, USF Director for Research Development, Collaborative Technology to Facilitate Grant Writing

Michael Simpson, Naval STEM Grants PO, Delivering New Technology and STEM Capacity

Karen Walker, ASU Competitive Intelligence

Kimberly Littlefield, NSF GRANTED Program Officer

This 8-week USF Summer Grant Writing Workshop is designed to guide grant seekers through the basics of the application process to develop competitive proposals. Join us to learn the latest in grant writing techniques and strategies to attract funding for your projects. Participants will be provided access to the Research Resources that include grant templates and sample proposals, as well as the updated Training Activity Guide (TAG). Walk through the grant application process with us this summer because your research matters.

To get an idea of the caliber of invited speakers, we invite you to check out the Summer Grant Writing Workshops Playlist on YouTube .

SGWW Playlist

What do participants get?

Monday Message: The Monday Message is a weekly post, staging the week ahead, that goes out to registered participants. Chock full of useful information for early career grant writers, including tools and templates, sample proposals, and new funding opportunities from a variety of sponsors. The first Monday Message will be posted on May 27, 2024 and continue weekly through the end of July.

Wednesday Workshop Dates & Topics: These workshops are delivered live via Zoom from 12:00-2:00PM ET. Wednesday Workshops are the heart of this program. Presentations are recorded and posted in Canvas. Access is restricted to registered participants.

• June 5, 2024 – Your Research Purpose
• June 12, 2024 – Defining Need and Significance
• June 19, 2024 – Competitive Intelligence
• June 26, 2024 – Study Design and Methodology
• July 10, 2024 – Process and Data Stewardship
• July 17, 2024 – Outcomes and Impact
• July 24, 2024 – Project Team and Budget
• July 31, 2024 – Peer Review *The week of July 4, 2024 – No Workshop (Dedicated Writing Time)

Funding Fridays: Delivered live via Zoom from 3:00-5:00PM ET. Program participants are encouraged (but not required) to attend the Funding Friday topics that are relevant to their research area. Although many of the Funding Friday presentations are recorded, recordings of invited speaker presentations is not something that we can guarantee. Additional information will be provided in the Monday Message. For now, please place a hold for all Funding Fridays on your calendar.

Invited speakers share their expertise, knowledge, and experience. This is your opportunity to hear from representatives from sponsor agencies, peer reviewers, grant writers at the top of their game, and more!

• June 7, 2024
• June 14, 2024
• June 21, 2024
• June 28, 2024
• July 12, 2024
• July 19, 2024
• July 26, 2024 *Starting July 29, peer review feedback provided, by appointment only.

If you are eligible for a discounted rate, please email us at [email protected] .

• Limited number of discounted seats (first come, first serve) available for current USF employees and USF students.
• Group discounts and institutional rate for external audiences.

Testimonials from last year

I received the grant I was working on during the class! I am writing two more now.

Well structured and informative; covering all aspects of grant writing. The training and activities guide was fantastic in walking through the process of drafting a grant proposal.

Funding Fridays Session 1: Finding Funding

Up first in Funding Fridays: September 20  Finding Funding, with Marco Cocito-Monoc (Executive Director of Foundation Relations) and Loren Walker (Director, Office of Research Development)

Are you a faculty member looking for funding to support your research? Without proper strategies, searching for funding can feel like looking for a needle in a haystack. In this workshop, your guides are Marco Monoc, Executive Director of Foundation Relations and Loren Walker, Director of the Office of Research Development at UMass. They will provide an overview of systems that help you find federal or foundation funding, as well as suggestions for how to write competitive proposals aimed at different types of funders.

About the Funding Fridays Series

Register once, for as many sessions as you need!

Grants funding can be critical to faculty careers, but difficult to pull off on your own given limited time. ISSR invites you to take part in a flexible, 8-session workshop series aimed at motivating, informing, and supporting faculty writing grants for submission.  

Stop by each week for collaborative learning and work sessions that will help you stay on track for your goals, or hop in for only the sessions you need. Our registration form offers you a one-stop chance to sign up for the Funding Fridays sessions that interest you most, all semester long. An online option is also available. (*Note: a  separate registration  is required for the November 1 session on the ABCs of the IRB).  

• Missed the start but want to join in?  No worries, you can sign up at any time. 
• Already registered but want to add sessions?  Send us an email , and we'll add your selections. 

All registered participants will be joined to the Funding Fridays Canvas course, where you will find a full library of helpful resources for all stages of the grant writing process. New registrants can review past materials, and seek support from ISSR for early stages of grant development.

Sessions meet most Fridays from 11:30 am - 12:30 pm - with food and drinks for those joining in the ISSR Lab, and access on Zoom for those participating online   Put these dates into your calendar now to assure that you have a completed proposal draft by December!  

September 20  Finding Funding, with Marco Cocito-Monoc (Executive Director of Foundation Relations) and Loren Walker (Director, Office of Research Development)

October 4  A Timeline to Success: Planning Your Proposal-Writing Process, with Katie Smith (ISSR Associate Director for Research Administration and Operations)

ISSR is sponsored by the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences , Office of the Provost , Office of the Vice-Chancellor for Research and Engagement , and the Graduate School at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.

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Phone:  413-545-6609 Email:  [email protected]