An official website of the United States government
Find the official grant application instructions, preview application forms, get advice on grant writing, check out sample grant applications, and read our tips on specific application attachments and sections. This guidance can help you develop a strong application that allows reviewers to better evaluate the science and merit of your proposal.
- NIH Guide notices have the highest priority.
- Policy notices are incorporated into the NIH Grants Policy Statement (GPS) each year. Pay special attention to policy notices posted in the NIH Guide after the most recent GPS update.
- Notices that modify a specific opportunity are listed in the Related Notices section of that opportunity.
- Specific instructions in your notice of funding opportunity are secondary.
- General instructions in the How to Apply – Application Guide are tertiary.
How to Apply – Application Guide
How to Apply provides comprehensive instructions for completing application forms. Also find quick links for registration, formatting attachments, page limits, rules for text fields, submission policies, and guidance if an issue with a federal system threatens your on-time submission.
Forms Directory
Find reference copies of essential NIH forms, instructions, and format pages used to apply for, manage, and close out grant awards.
General Grant Writing Tips
A well-written, well-formatted application is key to your success. Find crosscutting advice for the narrative sections of your grant application. As you consider how to write, choose the approaches you consider optimal for your unique application.
Advice on Application Sections
Find writing advice on specific narrative attachments and sections, such as the Research or Program Plan, Specific Aims, Budget, Biographical Sketches, and more.
Sample Applications and Documents
As you gain experience writing your own applications and progress reports, examples of how others presented their ideas can help. The samples page provides sample grant applications, attachment format examples, sample language, and more resources.
Once you are sure that your application is ready, complete any other final steps that your organization requires. Let the appropriate staff in your organization’s Office of Sponsored Programs know it is time to finalize and Submit.