List of articles and webpages that offer suggestions for students and faculty in all stages of their grant writing. The links cover writing for the humanities and sciences from personal statements and proposal planning to institutional requirements and budgeting.
List of ResourcesGeneral Writing Resources
- Grant Proposal Guidelines (UNC Writing Center) – UNC Chapel Hill’s Writing Center has prepared a detailed handout on writing grant proposals in all academic disciplines.
- Proposal Writing Short Course – A brief course on writing proposals for non-profits from the Foundation Center.
- The Academic Scientists’ Toolkit – Advice for getting funded from Science Magazine’s “Next Wave.”
For Graduate Students
- Grant Writing Tips for Graduate Students – This brief article from the Chronicle of Higher Education lists general best practices for students applying for funding based on interviews with successful (and unsuccessful) applicants for funding from the National Science Foundation.
- Personal Statements and Essays (WPI) – Tips and resources for graduate students on writing personal statements, compiled by the Worcester Polytechnic Institute.
- How to Ask for a Recommendation – An article from the Chronicle of Higher Education addressing how to approach faculty for recommendation letters, and how to provide them with the information they need to craft a stellar reference for you.
For Postdocs and Faculty
- Guide for Writing a Funding Proposal – Compiled by Dr. Joseph Levine for Michigan State University.
- Proposal Writer’s Guide – Guidelines for faculty compiled by Don Thackrey for Michigan State University.
- Grant Writing Tips from the NC Biotechnology Center – Advice from the North Carolina Biotechnology Center on preparing proposals for Center grants and other funding agencies.
- Proposal Budgeting Basics – An online course from the Foundation Center
Organization Specific Helps
- On the Art of Writing Proposals (SSRC) – On the Art of Writing Proposals is the Social Sciences Research Council’s classic publication on writing successful proposals in the social sciences. This brief document is especially useful for researchers applying for SSRC competitions, and it is frequently recommended for social science research in general.
- Tips on Writing a Grant Proposal (EPA) – The Environmental Protection Agency’s general tips on writing competitive grant proposals.
- Art of Grantsmanship (HSFP) – The Human Frontier Science Program website features a free copy of The Art of Grantsmanship, by Jack Kraicer, former Director of Research Grants at HFSP. This document provides detailed advice on preparing peer-reviewed grant applications from the moment of conception to submitting the final proposal. Although based on research in health and medical sciences, advice may be applied to competitive grant writing in any field.
- Writing Proposals for ACLS Fellowship Competitions – Written by Christina M. Gillis
- Developing Competitive SAMHSA Grant Applications – The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) publishes a free guide to applying for federal grants for programs supporting substance abuse prevention, addiction treatment, and mental health services.