grant-writing

name	grant-writing
description	Write research grant proposals with guidance for NSF, NIH, DARPA, and other agencies. Use when preparing grant applications, developing research plans, or writing broader impacts statements.

Grant Writing

Guidance for preparing research grant proposals.

When to Use

• Preparing grant applications
• Developing research plans
• Writing broader impacts statements
• Creating project timelines
• Budgeting research projects

Grant Proposal Structure

Standard Components

Component	Purpose	Typical Length
Abstract/Summary	Concise overview	1 page
Specific Aims	Goals and hypotheses	1 page
Introduction	Background and significance	2-3 pages
Research Plan	Detailed methodology	6-12 pages
Broader Impacts	Societal benefits	1-2 pages
Timeline	Project schedule	1 page
Budget	Financial plan	Agency-specific
References	Citations	As needed

Writing by Section

Abstract/Summary

Goal: Enable reviewers to understand the project quickly.

Structure (usually 1 page):

1. Problem and significance (2-3 sentences)
2. Knowledge gap (1-2 sentences)
3. Central hypothesis (1 sentence)
4. Specific aims overview (2-3 sentences)
5. Expected outcomes (2-3 sentences)
6. Impact/significance (1-2 sentences)

Tips:

• Write last, after rest of proposal is complete
• Make it self-contained
• Include key methods
• Emphasize innovation and impact

Specific Aims

Goal: Clear, compelling statement of objectives.

Structure (typically 1 page):

1. Opening paragraph: Hook + significance + gap
2. Central hypothesis: One clear statement
3. Specific Aim 1: First objective
4. Specific Aim 2: Second objective
5. Specific Aim 3: Third objective (optional)
6. Expected outcomes: What success looks like
7. Impact statement: Why this matters

Aim Format:

**Aim N: [Action verb] [What] [To achieve what]**

Hypothesis: [Testable statement]
Approach: [Brief method description]
Expected outcome: [What we'll learn/produce]

Good Aim Characteristics:

• Clear and testable
• Achievable in proposed timeframe
• Each aim contributes to overall goal
• Aims are related but not dependent
• Failure of one aim doesn't doom others

Research Plan

Introduction/Background:

• Establish significance
• Review relevant literature
• Identify knowledge gap
• State how you'll address the gap

Preliminary Data (if applicable):

• Show feasibility
• Demonstrate expertise
• Support proposed approach
• Present pilot results

Research Design and Methods:

For each aim:

## Aim N: [Title]

### Rationale
[Why this aim is important]

### Approach
[Detailed methodology]

### Expected Results
[What you anticipate finding]

### Potential Problems and Alternatives
[Risks and mitigation strategies]

### Timeline
[When this aim will be completed]

Broader Impacts

Categories (NSF):

1. Advancing knowledge and understanding
2. Promoting teaching, training, mentoring
3. Broadening participation of underrepresented groups
4. Enhancing infrastructure for research/education
5. Disseminating results broadly
6. Benefiting society

Tips:

• Be specific and concrete
• Show track record if possible
• Connect to your research
• Include measurable outcomes

Timeline and Milestones

Gantt Chart Format:

Task	Y1 Q1	Y1 Q2	Y1 Q3	Y1 Q4	Y2 Q1	Y2 Q2	...
Aim 1.1	X	X
Aim 1.2		X	X
Aim 2.1			X	X	X
Milestone 1			M
...

Key Milestones:

• Define clear go/no-go decision points
• Include deliverables
• Show interdependencies

Agency-Specific Guidance

NSF

Key Criteria:

1. Intellectual Merit: Potential to advance knowledge
2. Broader Impacts: Benefit to society

Tips:

• Balance both criteria equally
• Be explicit about how you address each
• Use their exact language

Common Programs (CS/ML):

• CAREER (early career faculty)
• CRII (research initiation)
• Core Programs (CCF, IIS, CNS)
• SaTC (security)

NIH

Key Criteria:

1. Significance: Does it address an important problem?
2. Investigator(s): Are researchers qualified?
3. Innovation: Does it employ novel concepts?
4. Approach: Is methodology sound?
5. Environment: Is institutional support adequate?

Tips:

• Frame in terms of health impact
• Include preliminary data
• Address rigor and reproducibility

DARPA

Key Characteristics:

• High-risk, high-reward
• Transformative potential
• Clear metrics
• Aggressive timelines

Tips:

• Emphasize breakthrough potential
• Show awareness of state-of-the-art
• Define clear success metrics
• Include go/no-go decision points

Common Mistakes

Content Mistakes

• Vague or untestable hypotheses
• Aims that are dependent (all-or-nothing)
• Overpromising what can be achieved
• Not addressing potential failures
• Weak preliminary data

Structural Mistakes

• Too much background, not enough plan
• Burying key points
• Not following page limits
• Unclear organization
• Missing required sections

Tone Mistakes

• Too tentative ("we hope to...")
• Too arrogant ("we will definitively prove...")
• Not acknowledging risks
• Ignoring competition

Quality Checklist

Before Submission

• Follows all formatting requirements
• All sections complete
• Specific aims are clear and testable
• Timeline is realistic
• Budget is justified
• Broader impacts are concrete
• Preliminary data supports feasibility
• Risks and alternatives addressed
• References are complete
• Proofread thoroughly

Review Simulation

• Can someone outside your area understand it?
• Are the aims achievable in the timeframe?
• Is innovation clearly articulated?
• Are you the right person to do this?
• Would you fund this if you were a reviewer?

References

See references/ folder for:

• nsf_guidelines.md: NSF-specific guidance
• nih_guidelines.md: NIH-specific guidance