Guide for Proposal Writing
This guide from the National Science Foundation provides insight into the proposal
review process at NSF as well as information about preparing a proposal using NSF-specific
directions. The section called Advice to Proposal Writers contains information of
a more general nature, including tips to make proposals more competitive. Note that
this guide was written by the Directorate of Education, so the Intellectual Merit
information is education-oriented rather than technology/science-focused.
EPA Tips on Writing a Grant Proposal
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) offers some excellent general information
on writing a grant proposal and submitting to EPA.
Grant Writing Tips Sheets
The National Institutes of Health provides numerous resources to assist grant proposal
writers. This web page provides links to many of those resources. General resources
include an explanation of the NIH Funding Mechanisms and descriptions of the review
process. In addition, many of the individual Institutes provide tips for applying
the their Institute for funding.
The Art of Writing Proposals: Some Candid Suggestions for Applicants to Social Science
Research Council Competitions
The Social Science Research Council has produced a succinct guide to writing a successful
proposal. While the examples are from the Social Sciences, the information is generalizable.
A Proposal Writing Short Course
This proposal-writing guide is available from the Foundation Center Web Pages. It
is short but covers the basic parts of a proposal for foundation funding, including
what information to include and tips for what to avoid. In addition, there is a useful
section describing Letter Proposals.
Guide for Writing a Funding Proposal
Several institutions of higher education offer useful guides to proposal writing.
This particular site, authored by S. Joseph Levine at Michigan State University, has
an interesting presentation of proposal sections, each of which is followed by writing
tips and proposal examples to illustrate various points. A particular virtue is that
the author is open to suggestions for additions and/or corrections and he updates
the Guide several times a year.
NSF (National Science Foundation)
- National Science Foundation Grant Proposal Guide
- The Grant Application Writer's Workbook
- Participant Support Costs FAQ
NIH (National Institutes of Health)
- Grant Writing Tip Sheets
- NIH Application Guide
- Insights from Peer Reviewers and NIH Staff on Putting Together Your Application
- Grant Writing for Success
- NIH Frequently Asked Questions
- The Grant Application Writer's Workbook
Social Sciences
Humanities
- National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) Application Review Process
- Application-Writing Tips (PDF)
Arts
USDA (United States Department of Agriculture)
- NIFA Grants.Gov Application Guide (PDF)
- Grant Training
- The Grant Application Writer’s Workbook — USDA/NIFA Version.
Foundations