Close-up view of a semiconductor chip with a grid of rectangular components in shades of purple, blue, and orange. The image highlights intricate circuit patterns and reflective surfaces.

NIH proposal resources

Your guide to writing successful NIH proposals

This page is a guide to National Institutes of Health (NIH) proposals. The NIH, part of the US Department of Health and Human Services, was founded in 1887 and is the largest public funder of biomedical research in the world. NIH comprises 27 Institutes and Centers or ICs, each with its own mission and priorities; 24 ICs receive separate funding, which it allocates to grants independently. NIH’s programs are organized by activity codes. The main types of grant funding include Research Grants (R series), Career Development Awards (K series), Research Training Grants and Fellowships (T & F series), Program Project/Center Grants (P series),Resource Grants, and Trans-NIH Programs.

The links below direct you to specific webpages and resources relevant to preparing an NIH proposal or provide access to guides/templates for supplementary documents.

Resources and samples

 

Grants process overview
 

NIH’s website describes all required steps in preparing an NIH proposal.
 

Review NIH website

NIH checklist
 

Use ASU Research Administration’s checklist to ensure that you submit your proposal successfully.
 

Review checklist

 

Matchmaker
 

Use this tool on the NIH RePORTER website to find relevant funding opportunities based on your research interests.
 

Find opportunities

Research Plan guide
 

Learn more about how to write an effective Research Plan, including the Specific Aims and Research Strategy.
 

Learn more

 

Data Management and Sharing Plan
 

Use this document to find resources for developing a high-quality DMS Plan.
 

Download DMP guide

Sample proposal documents
 

Browse our library of sample proposal documents.
 

Browse samples