How to Apply for NIH Grants

Applying for any government-grant program can be a complicated and time-consuming task. However, with just a little preparation and attention to detail, you can submit an application that's sure to succeed.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Determine whether the NIH grant you wish to apply for requires you to submit a paper application or an online application. For the most part, the government has transitioned into using electronic application forms, but there are still some programs that require the use of paper applications. Apply for your grant based on the explicit instructions visible at NIH.gov (see Resources below).
2. Find out what the deadline is for your particular grant. Some NIH grants follow the standard due-date chart. However, some programs have their own specific due dates. Check the due-date chart at NIH.gov.
3. Review the NIH submissions guide for each grant application you wish to submit. Changes occur frequently, so you should not only review the submissions guide, but also review the Special Changes section of the website to keep from overlooking even the smallest detail.
4. Go over the Application Guide before submitting your application. This guide helps you better understand the process and the details that must be covered to submit a successful grant application.
5. Investigate the resources available to you before you being writing proposals for your grants. The Avoiding Common Errors section on the NIH website deals with common mistakes made by applicants and is especially handy.
6. Develop a submission plan that involves all the primary investigators for the grants. Working together to develop a clear idea of the purpose and tone of your application will help prevent a breakdown of communication later.
7. Register with eRA Commons. You can download instructions at NIH.gov. Without registration, you will be unable to submit your packet to apply for your NIH grant
8. Verify that your submission was successful by checking its status on the NIH website. You'll need to log on to access this status report.
9. Proofread your application while it is still in this state of limbo. You have 48 hours to review your application before it is seen by the review committee. This can be a clear advantage if you put it to good use.

Tips & Warnings

• Registration is not immediate. It can take up to 1 month before you are officially registered with NIH and eRA Commons, so set up your registration well in advance of your submission deadline.

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