Tips for Submitting Your NIH Grant Application

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Correctly submitting your NIH grant application is just as important as writing it. Follow these practical steps to make sure your application successfully travels through the submission process.

Know Where to Start

Visit NIH’s Grants & Funding page to see funding opportunity announcements (FOA) and due dates. On Neuronline, read, “Where Do I Find NIH Funding Opportunities?” for more information.

Know the Deadlines

Once you’ve selected the funding opportunity, plan ahead with NIH’s standard deadlines. Each type of grant follows three due date cycles and three rounds of review. Find information for your specific grant on NIH’s submission schedule.

Submit Early

Take advantage of built-in safeguards. When you submit, NIH systems check your application to make sure you’ve followed NIH rules, so leave plenty of time to correct any errors before the application deadline.

Ask the Right Questions

Visit NIH’s submission policy page for answers to common questions about:

• Standard due dates that fall on weekends or federal holidays
• Late applications
• Post-submission application materials
• Time limits for resubmitting applications
• Mailing guidelines for paper applications

Adapted from NIH Office of Extramural Research. Original source: “NIH Top 10 Tips for Success.”