Key Information & Guidance
Navigating the NIH
The NIH Center for Scientific Review developed this resource to help clarify the application process, highlighting institution- and investigator-specific information, including key actions that must be taken well in advance of application submission. (Posted April 20, 2023)
Review the How To Apply - Application Guide
The NIH Grants & Funding website hosts various guides to help Investigators and Administrators in preparing, writing and submitting their application. Information and guidance covers such topics as understanding FOAs, types of NIH Applications, learning how to write a strong application, developing your budget, how to format attachments, and much more. Be certain to bookmark and visit the NIH How to Apply Application Guide Website!
Watch the NIH How To Apply Video Tutorials
The NIH Grants & Funding website features a How to Apply video tutorial series on applications that will take you through an overview of the process, preparing your application, writing your application and submitting. Whether you are a new Investigator/Department Administrator or simply want a refresher, be sure to watch the NIH How to Apply Video Tutorial series.
Understand NIH Notices of Funding Opportunities (NOFOs)
NIH advertises availability of grant support through notices of funding opportunities (NOFOs) - previously referred to as funding opportunity. Search for a funding opportunity specific to your area of interest or apply to a generic parent announcements.
- Use the instructions in the funding opportunity in conjunction with the application guide to prepare your application. If instructions conflict, follow the funding opportunity.
- Pay attention to notices posted in the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts. Notices may highlight topics of special interest to NIH or update key aspects of funding opportunities. Guidance included in notices supersedes guidance in the funding opportunity and application guide.
- There is not a generic application form package that can be downloaded and used for
all grant application submissions. You must use the application form package associated
with the funding opportunity to which you are applying. Access the opportunity-specific
form package through your chosen submission method (ASSIST, institutional system-to-system
solution, Workspace). Learn more
- Make sure that the NIH Institute or Center that might be interested in your research is listed as a participating organization in the funding opportunity. Notices of special interest may identify NIH Institutes or Centers participating in the notice initiative that are not listed in the funding opportunity used for submission.
- Return to the funding opportunity to check the Related Notices section before submission to ensure you are in line with the most recent guidance.
- Pay particular attention to the review criteria and write your application keeping these review criteria in mind.
- Take a tour of an annotated opportunity for tips and key information.
All About Grants Podcasts
The Office of Extramural Research (OER) talks to NIH staff members about the ins and outs of NIH funding. Designed for investigators, fellows, students, research administrators, and others just curious about the application and award process, the NIH provides insights on grant topics from those who live and breathe the information. Episodes are available as mp3s for download here, via iTunes, or via RSS feed. Topics include: Preparing to Apply, Developing a Successful Grant Application, Advice for New and Early Career Scientists, Submitting Your Application, Peer Review, Post-Award Activities and Requirements, and more!
Get guidance for addressing rigor and reproducibility in your application
NIH is committed to supporting the best and most rigorous science.
NIH Extramural Nexus Articles
- Spring Into Action: How to Find Help at NIH Have questions about funding opportunities, developing an application, or managing a grant award? Unsure who to contact for help? Don’t be scared to reach out to NIH staff!
- The ABCs of Authentication Plans Are you proposing to use key biological and/or chemical resources like cell lines, specialty chemicals, antibodies, or other biologics in your application? Learn more about authentication plans.
- Referring Study Sections Is a Work of “ART” (Assisted Referral Tool) Did you know there’s a tool to help you find relevant study sections for your grant application? The Assisted Referral Tool (ART) was developed by the NIH Center for Scientific Review (CSR) to recommend potentially appropriate study sections using text from your application.
- Revisit Funding Opportunity Announcements Within 30 Days of the Due Date Many NIH funding opportunity announcements (FOAs) have multiple due dates each year for up to three years. A lot can change over three years, so revisit your FOA within 30 days of your due date (pay extra attention to the Related Notices section) and you can ensure you are aware of the latest requirements before finalizing and submitting your application.
- Check for Fit, Before You Submit! It takes quite a bit of time to prepare and submit a grant application. Imagine spending that time only to find out later that you submitted to the wrong opportunity. Funding opportunity announcements (FOAs) contain a lot of information. Most applicants are very good at reading the FOA description to ensure a good topic fit, but let’s look at a few less obvious items that are often overlooked.