TEN TIPS TO A SUCCESSFUL
GRANT APPLICATION
Dr. Jon P. Anderson
FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS

The proposal may not be
successfully submitted if the
instructions are not followed
Page limits
 Page margins
 Font selection

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Helps you organize the
proposal in a consistent way
2
DON’T MAKE THE REVIEWERS
WORK HARD
Provide a logical outline
 Highlight main points
and objectives
 Address the review
criteria

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Significance
Investigator
Innovation
Approach
Environment
3
DON’T BE AFRAID TO PROVIDE A BASIC
OVERVIEW
You are an expert in the field –
don’t assume the reviewer is also an
expert
 Provide a brief overview of the
current state of affairs

How does your proposed research fit
 Generates a better story than just
diving into a detailed research plan


If you can get the reviewers excited
about the research, then you have
an advocate in the review process
4
DIAGRAM THE MAIN IDEA OF THE
RESEARCH
A picture is worth a
thousand words
 Reviewers can get a quick
overview of the research

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Remember to describe the
diagram – get the reviewer
to see what you want them
to see
A simple timeline or
summary Gantt chart can
easily display how the
work will proceed
5
LIST POTENTIAL PROBLEMS AND POSSIBLE
SOLUTIONS
If you can think of potential
problems with the proposed
research, so can the
reviewers
 Reviewers like to see that
you have thoroughly thought
about the research
 Listing possible problems is
not the same thing as saying
this project will fail

6
PROPOSE A REASONABLE TIMELINE AND
BUDGET

Not all research projects
require the same resources

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If you require more time and
money, then make a request.

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$100,000 and 6-months
Remember to justify your
request for more time and/or
money.
NOTE – Mean Phase I award
(FY 2006-2008) for SBIR and
STTR was $170,000
7
INCLUDE A COVER LETTER
List specific areas of
expertise that are
appropriate for the
review of your grant
 List individuals or
organizations who would
have a conflict as a
reviewer
 Suggest relevant
granting institutes or
centers to fund the
research

8
HAVE AN OUTSIDE EXPERT REVIEW THE
GRANT

Scientific and technical quality of
the proposed research
Are the objectives reasonable?
 How do you measure feasibility?

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Identify potential problems with
the research
Are the relevant papers cited?
 Will this research solve a specific
problem?

9
HAVE A NON-EXPERT REVIEW THE GRANT

Provides a different
perspective on the writing
Readability
 Logical flow of ideas
 Grammar
 Use of graphics

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Is there a clear
understanding of the
underlying problem and
the solution that this
research provides?
10
GET IT DONE EARLY

Last minute
submissions can fall
short
Computer problems
 Connection problems
 Incomplete/incorrect
forms


You can no longer
hand-deliver the
application to the NIH
11
LI-COR SBIR SUCCESS STORIES
Odyssey Infrared
Imaging System
LI-7500 Open Path
IR-Labeled
CO2/H2O Gas
Phosphoramidites
Analyzer
LI-7700 Open Path
Methane Analyzer
12