Grant Writing Resources

NIH Simplified Review Framework

• Simplifying Review of Research Project Grant Applications
• BU Panel (9/4/2025)

Center for Scientific Review (CSR)

• Information for Applicants: Find information on the application process, planning and writing, and other FAQs about applying.
• What Happens to Your NIH Grant Application
• Early Career Reviewer Program: Helps early career scientists become more competitive as grant applicants through first-hand experience with peer review and to enrich CSR’s pool of trained reviewers.

Early Stage Investigator (ESI) Policies

Tools for Helping Match Program Officers (POs) and Study Sections

• Matchmaker
  • How to use the NIH RePORTER Matchmaker extension
  • Recommended use: Input your Specific Aims to find similarly funded projects and contacts for POs.
• Assisted Referral Tool (ART): Developed by CSR to recommend potentially appropriate study sections. Access roster lists.
  • Guide for using ART
  • Recommended use: If you are trying to target a different study section, refine your Abstract/Specific Aims and subsequently use ART to gauge whether your adjustments increase potential relevance to your desired study section.

Sample Templates

• Specific Aims and Research Strategy (links active as of 8/14/25)
• Introduction to Resubmission

Looking for examples of NIH grants?

These applications were generously provided by the investigators as examples of good grantsmanship. However, these samples may not reflect the latest NIH guidelines or format. Please work with your PD associate to obtain the most recent guidelines for your funding opportunity!

• NIAID: Several investigators have graciously agreed to share their exceptional applications and summary statements as samples to help the research community. Sample grants include: research grants (R01, R03, R15, R21, R21/R33), small business grants (R41, R42, R43, R44), and training and career awards (K01, K08, F31). NIAID also provides sample forms, plans, letters, emails, and more. For more information, visit niaid.nih.gov/grants-contracts/sample-applications.
• NCI: Several investigators and their organizations agreed to let specific study sections post excerpts of their grant applications online. Find examples of funded R01, R03, and R21 grants below.
  • Behavioral Research Program (BRP)
  • Implementation Science (IS) with dissemination and implementation (D&I) grant applications
  • Epidemiology and Genomics Research Program (EGRP)
• BU Proposal Library (Kerberos)