How to Apply for Scientific Research Grants

Scientific research grants provide support for salaries, equipment and other financial needs.

Grants for scientific research often prove crucial to the success of private research at schools or other institutions. Research grants help fund needed advances in treatment for disease, atmospheric research, agriculture and other pertinent areas. If you are preparing a grant on behalf of a scientific institution, then you should familiarize yourself with how to apply for a scientific research grant prior to requesting funding.

Instructions

1. Search for grants on the federal grants application website by going to "Find Grant Opportunities." You can choose to search by agency and review grants available through the Environmental Protection Agency, National Institutes of Health or another government agency. Search by category and choose what area you need funding in, such as science and technology.

2. Register for grants.gov by going to "Get Registered" and filling out an application for a DUNS number (DUN & Bradstreet), a unique nine-digit identification number that will help the government identify your business or organization throughout the grant process.

3. Create a cover sheet or use a precreated cover sheet to provide information about your entity, such as the DUNS number, employer ID number, tax exempt number and contact information. Make sure you include the program announcement number if applicable, and the names of the proposers/researchers involved in the project. Include the title of your research project and the proposed duration of the grant funding, including the desired start date.

4. Create a one-page project summary for your research grant request and describe the activity and what scientific evidence or breakthroughs may result if the proposal receives funding. Write the project summary in third person and include information about what research methods you will employ and briefly explain how you will conduct research. Demonstrate the merit of your proposed activity and the broad impact of the results.

5. Develop a project description to provide a statement about the work that you plan to undertake, including your goals and objectives for proposed work, and discuss any of your work in progress that relates to the area of research for which you are requesting funding. Create a project description, including the plan of work and how you will design your research activities, including information on experimental methods and how you plan to document your research, share data, maintain samples or other related research material. Include benefits of your research to society as a whole.

6. Create materials like pie charts, graphs, photographs or other supportive documentation to include with your submission.

7. Discuss the results from previous funding if given, including the amount given, the title, a summary, publication of your research and a description of the project.

8. Include a biographical sketch for each researcher or senior personnel on the project. List information, such as areas of study and training, academic appointments, publications and any major awards given in the field for which you request funding.

9. Provide information on your collaborators and editors who will help draft the report or abstract, as well as affiliated organizations or associates who will work on the project.

10. Outline your budget for each year that you request support. Make sure each line item, such as "equipment" or "staff" is supported in the budget justification.

Tips & Warnings

• Conform to all rules on page limitations set by the funder unless deviation from guidelines were authorized.

• Do not submit your personal information, such as your marital status, home address, cell number, hobbies or other personal information, as it will not add merit to your grant request.

References

• Federal Grants : Find Grant Opportunities
• Federal Grants : Apply for Grants
• Foundation Center : Grant Writing Short Course