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Get Started

Sometimes the hardest part of any effort is getting started. Let us orient you to how NIH works, and the basics of planning your application.

Grants Basics

Learn the Basics

Before getting started, learn how NIH is structured (and why that’s important), our approach to grant funding, the types of organizations and people eligible to apply, what we look for in a research project, and the types of grant programs we offer. 

Planning Your Application

Plan Your Application

Plan ahead and prepare to get an edge in this highly competitive process. Figure out the early issues, such as picking the  right grant type, determining if  you need prior approval from NIH to apply, planning within your organization, considering implications if you are a new investigator or are from a foreign institution, and more.