study grant application letter

Learn How to Write a Persuasive Letter of Support for Grant

Acquiring funds for your research is an important milestone for every researcher. As the deadline for submitting the grant proposal approaches, there’s a sense of fear that engulfs you into thinking that your application is probably not the best one. While every element of your grant proposal is important to the reviewer, your letter of support for the grant has a potential to strengthen their belief in your research idea. A letter of support may probably not clinch the funding; however, it could make your grant proposal more competitive, especially when it is written by highly influential and renowned individuals or organizations.

What is a Letter of Support for Grant?

A letter of support is a document used to validate the credibility of your research through a third-party testimonial. This testimony should back up your claims of success as well as the promises to deliver results.

The letter implies that other organizations or funders think your proposal has merit. It signifies that your project has the potential of delivering proposed results. In addition, it provides a compelling and persuasive reason for a funder to support your grant proposal .

Who Should Write a Letter of Support for Grant?

Letters of support play a major role in determining whether or not your research project is worthy of funding . Therefore, it is important to identify the right people to write it.

A letter of support can be written by:

• A partner organization
• A major funder
• Another foundation
• A congressional representative
• An outside business such as professional grant writing services
• A key stakeholder

Furthermore, it could be from community leaders who believe in your project, or from people who will receive the services you propose of providing.

What is the Purpose of a Letter of Support for Grant?

A letter of support for grant helps in determining whether your project is worthy of funding.

The purpose of a letter of support is-

• Firstly, to establish a level of credibility
• Secondly, to demonstrate commitment to a research project
• Thirdly, to show that the planned collaboration is genuine
• Lastly, to address the applicant’s qualifications and abilities to complete the proposed research

Which are the Four Categories of Letter of Support for Grant?

Ideally, letter of support for grant are of two types:

• Letters from knowledge partners who are supporting the research with monetary aid
• Letters from a person who supports the research idea.However, depending on where the letters of support are sourced from, they are categorized as:
• Community Leaders: Letters sourced from community leaders help in establishing the proposers’ credibility.
• Collaborative Partners: Letters sourced from collaborative partners help in demonstrating that the proposed project will be beneficial to the service community.
• Contributing Supporters: Letters written by contributing supporters demonstrate tangible resources being dedicated to the project.
• Impacted Constituents: Letters written by impacted constituents help the funder in determining the benefits or repercussions of actions.

Differences Between “Letter of Support” and “Letter of Recommendation”

While confusion may arise from the fact that both letters of support and letters of recommendation provide key information for reviewers of the funding agency, there still are differences between the two.

Key Elements of a “Letter of Support” for Grant

The letter of support consists of three main sections: an opening statement or introduction that identifies the project, one or two main body section of the letter to indicate the relationship of the writer to the project seeking funding, and a closing statement to summarize with key points. However, there are some additional sections such as the header and the salutation. Here we discuss the key elements of a letter of support for grant in sequential order of their occurrence.

A Professional Introduction

The first thing one must do while creating a persuasive letter of support is introduce themselves. Writing an attention-grabbing introduction will encourage the reader to continue reading until the end. The simplest way to start your introduction section is to inform the reader—who you are and why they must care?

The Conclusion

Important points to consider while writing a letter of support for grant.

As letters of support can make a significant difference for applicant/s grant approval, it’s important to consider the following points while writing one.

• It must not be longer than two pages in length.
• Mention correct proposal details.
• Provide any additional details or requirements about the project, if necessary.
• Give a brief description about the role of the letter writer’s organization in the project.
• Discuss expected outcomes from implementation.
• Letter must follow a professional format with the original signature of the writer.
• Most importantly, proofread before sending it out to the potential funder.

Example of “Letter of Support”

Janice Clark XYZ Company 1456 Trafalgar Square Hampstead, London, UK. Dear Dr. Clark, I am pleased to be writing a letter in support of the proposal (name of the project) being submitted to the (name of the program) Program by our (name of department) at (name of institution). We strongly support this grant application and the focus on (mention the purpose of the study). As an organization whose mission is to (state the mission of your organization in alignment to the purpose of the research), we know your true passion is fostering the brilliant minds of tomorrow. We admire your initiatives to fund projects that have greatly benefited the research community. We acknowledge the specific roles and responsibilities fulfilled by us in this partnership. (mention your roles and provisions to the funding point-wise). Sincerely, Clara Montero Senior Director PQR Ltd. Southampton, UK

As you know by now, letters of support can make or break the chances of your project receiving funds, it is important to make sure that these letters are crafted scrupulously. Make sure you follow these tips while gleaning your letter of support or writing one for another applicant. Let us know how this article helped you in formulating a letter of support for grant. You can also visit our Q&A forum  for frequently asked questions related to different aspects of research writing and publishing answered by our team that comprises subject-matter experts, eminent researchers, and publication experts.

To write a formal letter of support for a funding application, keep the following in mind: 1. Begin by addressing the letter to the appropriate recipient and state your purpose clearly. 2. Provide specific reasons why the project or initiative is deserving of funding, highlighting its potential impact and benefits. 3. Conclude with a positive statement expressing your confidence in the applicant's abilities to effectively utilize the funds for the intended purpose. Remember to maintain a professional tone and adhere to any specific guidelines provided by the funding organization.

In a letter of support for a grant application, express your strong endorsement for the project or initiative, emphasizing its importance, relevance, and potential positive impact. Highlight the applicant's qualifications, track record, and commitment, while also emphasizing the alignment between their goals and the grant's objectives.

Rate this article Cancel Reply

Your email address will not be published.

Enago Academy's Most Popular Articles

• Expert Interviews

Empowering Scholarly Endeavors: Insights on grants, funding, and diversity in academia

Funding plays an indispensable role in a researcher’s career. In our unwavering commitment to improve…

• Diversity and Inclusion
• Trending Now

The Silent Struggle: Confronting gender bias in science funding

In the 1990s, Dr. Katalin Kariko’s pioneering mRNA research seemed destined for obscurity, doomed by…

• Industry News

Optimizing Funding Strategies: Clarivate unveils Web of Science Grants Index for researchers

Clarivate Plc, a global leader in providing information services, has recently launched the Web of…

Addressing Socioeconomic Disparities in Academic Funding: Inclusivity in research grant allocation

Research grant allocation is a critical process that determines the distribution of funds to various…

• Thought Leadership

Knowledge Without Walls: Enago’s comprehensive global survey report on open-access publishing

In the ever-evolving landscape of scholarly communication, the global expansion of open-access (OA) publishing has…

Opening Doors to Academic Inclusivity: The significance of open access funding

Investing in Visibility: Incorporating publishing funds effectively in grant…

How to Write an Exceptional Research Scholarship Motivation Letter

How to Write a Data Management Plan During Grant Application

Sign-up to read more

Subscribe for free to get unrestricted access to all our resources on research writing and academic publishing including:

• 2000+ blog articles
• 50+ Webinars
• 10+ Expert podcasts
• 50+ Infographics
• 10+ Checklists
• Research Guides

We hate spam too. We promise to protect your privacy and never spam you.

I am looking for Editing/ Proofreading services for my manuscript Tentative date of next journal submission:

What should universities' stance be on AI tools in research and academic writing?

• About Grants
• How to Apply - Application Guide
• Format and Write

Write Your Application

The following guidance may assist you in developing a strong application that allows reviewers to better evaluate the science and merit of your proposal. This page provides tips for  demonstrating to reviewers and NIH staff the high quality of the personnel involved in your project and documenting resources and institutional support of the project. We provide information for new investigators and foreign applicants, as well.

Though the advice provided is relevant for all research grants, it is general in nature and geared toward the  NIH Research Project (R01) . The tips should not replace your organization's internal guidance, specific advice provided by NIH program or grants management staff, or instructions found in the funding opportunity or application guide .

• Where to Find Instructions for Writing Your Application

What Peer Reviewers Look For

• Research Resources, Institutional Support and Available Expertise  
• Cover Letter & Assignment Request Form
• Are You a New or Early Stage Investigator

Foreign Involvement: Institution and/or Investigator

Develop your budget, your research plan, additional elements required in a grant application, important writing tips, what to know before you start writing, where to find application instructions.

• In addition to form-by-form, field-by-field instructions you'll find guidance on formatting attachments (fonts, margins, etc., developing a budget, and more.
• Section IV. Application and Submission Information of each funding opportunity includes opportunity-specific instructions.
• Notices posted in the NIH Guide for Grants & Contracts may contain corrections, clarifications, or announcement of new policies.

If instructions in the application guide and funding opportunity conflict, the opportunity wins. If instructions in either the application guide or funding opportunity conflict with an NIH Guide notice (including a Notice of Special Interest), the notice wins.   

Careful preparation and an understanding of how your application will be reviewed can help you build a solid application. During NIH’s peer review process , we convene a panel of non-Federal scientists to review your application. Although a number of factors contribute to whether your application will be funded, we place great emphasis on the review of scientific merit. The following sections describe the criteria reviewers employ to evaluate applications. Read them carefully for helpful hints on the information and content you should include in the application to garner a favorable evaluation.

Overall Impact

Reviewers will provide an overall impact score to reflect their assessment of the likelihood for the project to exert a sustained, powerful influence on the research field(s) involved, in consideration of the following review criteria, and additional review criteria (as applicable for the project proposed). 

Scored Review Criteria

Reviewers will consider each of the review criteria below in the determination of scientific and technical merit, and give a separate score for each. An application does not need to be strong in all categories to be judged likely to have major scientific impact. For example, a project that by its nature is not innovative may be essential to advance a field. 

Significance. Does the project address an important problem or a critical barrier to progress in the field? Is there a strong scientific premise for the project? If the aims of the project are achieved, how will scientific knowledge, technical capability, and/or clinical practice be improved? How will successful completion of the aims change the concepts, methods, technologies, treatments, services, or preventative interventions that drive this field? 

Investigator(s). Are the PD/PIs, collaborators, and other researchers well suited to the project? If Early Stage Investigators or New Investigators, or in the early stages of independent careers, do they have appropriate experience and training? If established, have they demonstrated an ongoing record of accomplishments that have advanced their field(s)? If the project is collaborative or multi-PD/PI, do the investigators have complementary and integrated expertise; are their leadership approach, governance and organizational structure appropriate for the project?

Innovation. Does the application challenge and seek to shift current research or clinical practice paradigms by utilizing novel theoretical concepts, approaches or methodologies, instrumentation, or interventions? Are the concepts, approaches or methodologies, instrumentation, or interventions novel to one field of research or novel in a broad sense? Is a refinement, improvement, or new application of theoretical concepts, approaches or methodologies, instrumentation, or interventions proposed?

Approach. Are the overall strategy, methodology, and analyses well-reasoned and appropriate to accomplish the specific aims of the project? Have the investigators presented strategies to ensure a robust and unbiased approach, as appropriate for the work proposed? Are potential problems, alternative strategies, and benchmarks for success presented? If the project is in the early stages of development, will the strategy establish feasibility and will particularly risky aspects be managed? Have the investigators presented adequate plans to address relevant biological variables, such as sex, for studies in vertebrate animals or human subjects? If the project involves clinical research, are the plans for 1) protection of human subjects from research risks, and 2) inclusion of minorities and members of both sexes/genders, as well as the inclusion of children, justified in terms of the scientific goals and research strategy proposed? Environment. Will the scientific environment in which the work will be done contribute to the probability of success? Are the institutional support, equipment and other physical resources available to the investigators adequate for the project proposed? Will the project benefit from unique features of the scientific environment, subject populations, or collaborative arrangements? 

Note that an application does not need to be strong in all categories to be judged likely to have major scientific impact. For example, a project that by its nature is not innovative may be essential to advance a field.

Learn more about how applications are scored.

Additional Review Criteria

As applicable for the project proposed, reviewers will evaluate the following additional items while determining scientific and technical merit and in providing an overall impact score, but will not give separate scores for these items. 

• Protections for Human Subjects
• Inclusion of Women, Minorities, and Children
• Vertebrate Animals
• Resubmission

Be sure to address any of these additional review criteria that apply to your application, as reviewers will consider them when assigning overall impact/priority scores. 

Additional Review Considerations

As applicable for the project proposed, reviewers will consider each of the following items, but will not give scores for these items and should not consider them in providing an overall impact score. 

• Applications from Foreign Organizations
• Select Agent
• Resource Sharing Plans
• Authentication of Key Biological and/or Chemical Resources
• Budget and Period Support

Learn more about how applications are reviewed and scored on our peer review process page.

Research Resources, Institutional Support and Available Expertise

Sufficient information must be included to demonstrate to reviewers and NIH staff the high quality of the PD/PI, the co-investigators, available research resources, and the applicant institution and its support of the project.

Applicants should clearly state that they have the appropriate resources to conduct the research, such as adequate equipment and laboratory space. When possible, include letters of commitment for these resources.

• Understand the level of resources needed to compete.
• Conduct an organizational assessment.
• Determine what resources and support your organization has and what additional support you'll need.
• Consider whether the available equipment and facilities are adequate and whether the environment is conducive to the research.

Independence and Institutional Support

This is important for all investigators, but particularly for new and early stage investigators or those who are early in their independent careers:

• Provide reviewers evidence that you have the appropriate experience and training to lead and manage the research project.
• Letters of reference and institutional commitment are important.
• Mention any start-up funds, support for a technician, etc. This is a positive indicator of institutional commitment to the peer reviewers.

Collaborators and Consultants

Determine the expertise needed for your research study team (individuals, collaborating organizations, resources, etc.). Most scientific work requires collaboration among researchers, and NIH is dedicated to fostering such relationships.

• Include letters of commitment in your application that clearly spell out the roles of the collaborators. The grant application should contain a signed letter from each collaborator to the applicant that lists the contribution he or she intends to make and his or her commitment to the work. These letters are often the primary assurance the reviewers have that this work will in fact be done.
• For consultants, letters should include rate/charge for consulting services.
• The format, peer review and administration of applications submitted with multiple PIs do have some significant differences from the traditional single-PI application. Therefore, it is essential to consider all aspects of the funding mechanism before applying, regardless of the type of research proposal to be submitted.
• All applicants proposing team science efforts are strongly encouraged to contact their NIH program officials at the earliest possible date to discuss the appropriateness submitting with multiple-PIs for the support of their research.  

Cover Letter & PHS Assignment Request Form

Although optional in most cases, the Cover Letter attachment on the SF424 (R&R) form and the PHS Assignment Request Form can be used to convey information to the Division of Receipt and Referral (DRR) in the Center for Scientific Review. 

• Late applications
• Required agency approvals, if needed (e.g., approval to submit application with budget period(s) of $500k or more)
• Explanation of subaward budgets not active in all budget periods
• Intent to submit a video
• Anticipation of large-scale genomic data
• Proposed use of human fetal tissue from elective abortions
• A potentially appropriate institute or center assignment
• NIH Scientific Review Group (SRG) Roster Index
• Take advantage of the Assisted Referral Tool (ART)
• Reviewers that may have a conflict of interest and why they should not be considered to review your application
• Only NIH staff with a need to know are provided access to your assignment request and cover letter. Reviewers to not access to them.

Are You a New or Early Stage Investigator?

• Determine whether you qualify as a new investigator based on the NIH definition of new investigator . NIH offers funding opportunities tailored to new investigators, such as the NIH Director's New Innovator Award . More information on NIH programs designed for new investigators can be found on the New Investigators Program Web page.
• It is to your advantage to identify yourself as a new investigator because reviewers are instructed to give special consideration to new investigators. Reviewers will give greater consideration to the proposed approach, rather than the track record.
• First-time applicants may have less preliminary data and fewer publications than more seasoned investigators, and NIH reviewers understand this. Reviewers instead place more emphasis on how the investigator has demonstrated that he or she is truly independent of any former mentors, whether he or she has some of his or her own resources and institutional support, and whether he or she is able to independently lead the research. 
• Foreign PD/PIs and those from foreign institutions should ensure their eligibility by checking the eligibility guidelines provided in every funding opportunity.
• Foreign PD/PI's and those from foreign institutions are highly encouraged to contact a NIH program officer as soon as possible in the planning and writing stages.
• Foreign applicants can learn more at our Information for Foreign Applicants and Grantees page.

This step will be one of your most time-consuming in the writing process. 

• Know what type of budget will be required to submit with your application (found in your funding opportunity).
• Understand the various components of the budget, working with your institution’s central grants office and department administrator.
• Contact NIH program officials regarding allowability and other budgetary questions.
• For more information, see Develop Your Budget .

The research plan describes the proposed research, stating its significance and how it will be conducted. Remember, your application has two audiences: the majority of reviewers who will probably not be familiar with your techniques or field and a smaller number who will be familiar.

• To succeed in peer review, you must win over the assigned reviewers . They act as your advocates in guiding the review panel's discussion of your application.
• Write and organize your application so the primary reviewer can readily grasp and explain what you are proposing and advocate for your application.
• Appeal to the reviewers and the funding ICs by using language that stresses the significance of your proposed work.

The following elements need to be included in the grant application as appropriate. Unless stated, these elements do not influence the rating (priority score) of the application. However, the reviewers are asked to comment on the adequacy of the information provided for each element. Any concerns the reviewers identify may negatively affect and postpone the granting of an award.  

• Bibliography & References Cited  Provide a bibliography of any references cited in the Research Plan. Each reference must include the names of all authors (in the same sequence in which they appear in the publication; you can use “et al.” convention in place of listing all authors in a citation), the article and journal title, book title, volume number, page numbers, and year of publication. Make sure that only bibliographic citations are included. Be especially careful to follow scholarly practices in providing citations for source materials relied upon when preparing any section of the application.  
• Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare
• PHS Policy Tutorial
• What Investigators Need to Know About the Use of Animals (PDF)
• Interactive training module: Vertebrate Animals Section (VAS) in Grant Applications
• NIAID's tutorial: Requirement for Grantees Using Research Animals  
• Consortium/Contractual Arrangements Explain the programmatic, fiscal, and administrative arrangements to be made between the applicant organization and the consortium organization(s).  
• Consultants and Collaborators Attach appropriate letters from all consultants and collaborators confirming their roles in the project. For consultants, letters should include rate/charge for consulting services.  
• Facilities & Other Resources  This information is used to assess the capability of the organizational resources available to perform the effort proposed. Identify the facilities to be used (Laboratory, Animal, Computer, Office, Clinical and Other). If appropriate, indicate their capacities, pertinent capabilities, relative proximity and extent of availability to the project. Describe only those resources that are directly applicable to the proposed work.  
• Inclusion of Women, Minorities and Children in Research  Peer reviewers will also assess the adequacy of plans to include subjects from both genders, all racial and ethnic groups (and subgroups), and children, as appropriate, for the scientific goals of the research will be assessed. Plans for the recruitment and retention of subjects will also be evaluated.  Check out the NIH inclusion of women and minorities policy website which has resources such as a decision tree to help you determine which of your studies are subject to NIH’s inclusion policy.  
• Multiple PD/PI  For applications designating multiple PDs/PIs , you must include a leadership plan.  
• Other Plans(s) Applicants proposing to conduct research that will generate scientific data are subject to the NIH Data Management and Sharing (DMS) Policy and must attach a DMS Plan in this section. Note that applicants whose project also falls under NIH’s Genomic Data Sharing (GDS) Policy are expected to provide a single plan that covers the sharing of both scientific data and genomic data. See NIH’s DMS and GDS policies on the NIH Sharing website .  
• Page Limits Follow the page limits specified for the attachments in your grant application, unless otherwise specified in the funding opportunity.  
• Protection of Human Subjects from Research Risk  Applicants must assure NIH that all human subjects are protected. Reviewers will assess the potential risk to human subjects in proposed research and evaluate what protections are in place to guard against any research-related risk. Awards cannot be made until assurances are on file with the Office for Human Research Protections (OHRP). Decision charts are presented that are helpful in thinking through relevant human subject protections issues (see http://www.hhs.gov/ohrp/policy/checklists/decisioncharts.html ).  
• Resource Sharing Plan(s)  This section includes the Model Organisms Sharing plan when applicable. See NIH’s Model Organisms Sharing Policy .  
• Select Agents  Identify any select agents to be used in the proposed research. Select agents are hazardous biological agents and toxins that HHS or USDA have identified as having the potential to pose a severe threat to public health and safety, to animal and plant health, or to animal and plant products. CDC maintains a list of HHS and USDA Select Agents and Toxins.  
• Use of Internet Sites  NIH instituted a policy that prohibits the use of World Wide Web addresses (URLs) in grant applications in the place of text describing the same material. This is because of the potential for providing a large amount of extra material from a Web site beyond what would fit in the page limit, and thereby giving an unfair advantage to some applicants and a large additional burden for reviewers.

You’ve planned, you’ve researched, you understand the application…now it’s time to write.  A well-written, well formatted application is an important key to success.  Remember the details when formatting attachments ! 

• Before you start writing the application, think about the budget and how it is related to your research plan. Remember that everything in the budget must be justified by the work you've proposed to do.
• Be realistic. Don't propose more work than can be reasonably done during the proposed project period. Make sure that the personnel have appropriate scientific expertise and training. Make sure that the budget is reasonable and well-justified.  

Start with an outline, following the suggested organization of the application. The thought process of the application should be easy to follow. 

Note:  Upon submission, NIH Systems will automatically add: headers, footers (time stamping, tracking number, funding opportunity number, and page numbers). Therefore, do not include headers or footers.

• Write clear headings.
• Use sub-headings, short paragraphs, and other techniques to make the application as easy to navigate as possible. Be specific and informative, and avoid redundancies.
• Bookmark major sections.
• Use diagrams, figures and tables, and include appropriate legends, to assist the reviewers to understand complex information. These should complement the text and be appropriately inserted. Make sure the figures and labels are readable in the size they will appear in the application.
• Use bullets and numbered lists for effective organization. Indents and bold print add readability. Bolding highlights key concepts and allows reviewers to scan the pages and retrieve information quickly.
• Utilize white space effectively.
• Write a clear topic sentence for each paragraph with one main point or idea.  This is key for readability.
• Make your points as direct as possible. Avoid jargon or excessive language.
• Write simple and clear sentences, keeping to about 20 words or less in each.
• Be consistent with terms, references and writing style.
• Use the active, rather than passive, voice. For example, write "We will develop an experiment, "not "An experiment will be developed."
• Spell out all acronyms on first reference.
• If writing is not your forte, seek help!
• Include enough background information to enable an intelligent reader to understand your proposed work.
• Support your idea with collaborators who have expertise that benefits the project.
• Have zero tolerance for typographical errors, misspellings, grammatical mistakes or sloppy formatting. A sloppy or disorganized application may lead the reviewers to conclude that your research may be conducted in the same manner.
• Remember the Details!    There are format requirements , such as font size, margins, and spacing.  Make sure you are familiar with them before submitting your application and label sections as directed.  You don’t want your application delayed because any of these details are not incorporated.
• If more than one investigator is contributing to the writing, it would be helpful to have one editor not only review for punctuation errors, but ensure that the application has a consistent writing style.
• Request your colleagues or mentors review a first draft of your specific aims early in the process. This step can save lots of valuable time.
• Allow time for an internal review by collaborators, colleagues, mentors and make revisions/edits from that review. If possible, have both experts in your field and those who are less familiar with your science provide feedback.
• Ask those who are providing a review to use a critical eye and evaluate the application using the peer review criteria
• Allow sufficient time to put the completed application aside, and then read it from a fresh vantage point yourself. Also, try proofreading by reading the application aloud.
• Conduct your own review based on the NIH's five peer review criteria.  How would you rate your own application?
• Prior to submission, look over the entire grant application one final time. Remember, you want a convincing proposal that is also formatted according to the application guidelines, punctuation error-free, clear to read, and is to the point!

This page last updated on: April 10, 2023

• Bookmark & Share
• E-mail Updates
• Help Downloading Files
• Privacy Notice
• Accessibility
• National Institutes of Health (NIH), 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, Maryland 20892
• NIH... Turning Discovery Into Health

Writing a Letter of Support for Grants: Examples and Frameworks | Grantboost

Asking for a grant can be a daunting process. You know that the competition is fierce, and the Grantor’s organization is looking for the best and brightest. You need a team behind you that is as dedicated and committed to your cause as you are. That’s where letters of support come in.

What Is A Letter of Support?

Who normally writes a letter of support, how long should a letter of support be.

• Letter of Support Frameworks

Problem, Solution, and Impact Framework

Personal connection framework.

• Evidence Based Framwork
• Letter of Support for Grants Templates

Examples of Letters of Supports for Grants

• Writing Letters of Support for Grants w/ AI

A letter of support (not to be confused with a Letter of Inquiry ) is a document that advocates for a project, program, or organization and is typically written by an individual or organization outside of the project or organization itself. It is used to supplement a grant proposal and provides additional evidence to support the proposal’s objectives, methods, and potential impact. The letter of support should emphasize the writer’s personal connection to the project and highlight the project’s importance and potential benefits. The letter should be persuasive, clearly written, and provide examples of how the project can make a difference in people’s lives.

Letters of support are a powerful tool in your grant application arsenal. They provide evidence that your project has the backing of respected professionals, organizations, and individuals. They demonstrate that your proposal is not just your own opinion, but that it is supported by the wider community. Most importantly, they show that you have a plan that others are bought into as well.

A letter of support is usually written by an individual or organization outside of the project or organization seeking funding. This can include community leaders, elected officials, experts in the field, or organizations with a similar mission or interest. The writer of the letter should have a personal connection to the project and be able to speak to its importance and potential impact.

It is important to choose a writer who is well-respected and influential in the community, as their support can add credibility to the project and increase the chances of funding. Additionally, the writer should have a clear understanding of the project’s goals, methods, and expected outcomes, as they might be asked to provide specific examples of how the project has made a difference in the community.

In some cases, the grant organization may provide guidelines for who can write a letter of support and what should be included. It is important to carefully review these guidelines and ensure that the writer is able to meet the requirements outlined by the grant organization.

When it comes to the length of a letter of support, there isn’t a strict rule. As a general guideline, it should be no longer than one page, two at the absolute max. The most important thing is to make sure that your letter is concise and to the point. A letter that is too long may be overwhelming and lose the attention of the reader. On the other hand, a letter that is too short may not provide enough detail to convince the grant organization of the merits of your project. This should give you enough space to provide all the necessary details while keeping the letter short and sweet.

Frameworks You Can Use When Writing a Letter of Support

Advocates can follow different frameworks when writing a letter of support. One popular framework is the “Problem, Solution, and Impact” model. In this framework, the letter first introduces the problem that the project is addressing, then outlines the solution proposed by the project, and finally discusses the expected impact of the project. This framework is useful because it presents a clear narrative that connects the problem with the solution and the expected outcome.

Another framework is the “Personal Connection” model, which emphasizes the personal connection between the writer of the letter and the project or organization. This framework can be particularly effective when the writer has a personal relationship with the project or organization, as it can add a sense of authenticity and credibility to the letter.

A third framework is the “Evidence-Based” model, which focuses on providing evidence to support the project’s goals and expected outcomes. This framework typically includes data and statistics that demonstrate the need for the project and the expected impact it will have.

Regardless of the framework chosen, it’s important to keep the focus on the project and its goals. The letter should be written in a clear and concise manner, with a persuasive tone that highlights the project’s importance and potential impact.

The problem, solution, and impact model is a framework that can be used when writing a letter of support for a grant opportunity. This model is particularly effective in highlighting the need for the proposed project, the unique solution being offered, and the potential impact of the project on the community or field.

The components that make up this framwork are:

Problem: The first component of the framework is to clearly identify the problem or need that the project is addressing. This can include data and statistics to support the argument that the problem is significant and widespread. The writer should also explain why the problem is important and how it affects the community or field.

Solution: The second component of the framework is to explain the unique solution that the project is offering. This can include a description of the methods, techniques, or strategies that will be used to address the problem. The writer should also explain why this solution is effective and how it differs from other approaches that have been tried in the past.

Impact: The third and final component of the framework is to discuss the potential impact of the project on the community or field. This can include both short-term and long-term impacts, as well as any specific outcomes or goals that the project aims to achieve. The writer should also explain why the proposed project is likely to be successful and how it will make a difference in people’s lives.

By using the problem, solution, and impact model, the writer can provide a clear and compelling case for why the project is needed, how it will work, and what the potential benefits will be.

Ready to try the Problem, Solution and Impact Model for your letter of support? Check out our template and start crafting your compelling letter today.

The personal connection model is a framework for writing a letter of support that emphasizes the writer’s personal connection to the project or organization. This framework can be particularly effective when the writer has a strong relationship with the project or organization, as it can add a sense of authenticity and credibility to the letter.

The personal connection model typically includes several key components:

Introduction: The letter starts with an introduction that establishes the writer’s relationship to the project or organization. This can include how the writer first became involved with the project, why they believe in the project’s goals, and any personal experiences that have influenced their support.

Personal anecdotes: The letter includes a short personal anecdote or story that illustrate the writer’s connection to the project or organization. These anecdotes can be powerful in demonstrating the importance and impact of the project, as they provide concrete examples of how the project has made a difference in people’s lives.

Emotional appeal: The letter makes an emotional appeal to the reader by highlighting the writer’s passion and commitment to the project or organization. This can include expressing gratitude for the opportunity to be involved with the project and conveying a sense of urgency about the need for funding.

Call to action: The letter concludes with a call to action that encourages the grant organization to fund the project. This can include a clear statement of the project’s goals and expected outcomes, and an invitation to the reader to contact the writer for more information.

When using the personal connection model, it’s important to strike a balance between personal anecdotes and a persuasive tone that highlights the project’s importance and potential impact. The letter should be written in a clear and concise manner, with a focus on how the project will benefit the community or achieve its goals. By emphasizing the writer’s personal connection to the project, the personal connection model can be an effective way to persuade grant organizations to fund important projects.

Click here to access our Personal Connection Model template and start writing your letter of support faster, today.

Evidence Based Framework

The evidence-based model is another framework that can be used when writing a letter of support for grants. This model focuses on presenting evidence to support the need for the proposed project and the effectiveness of the proposed solution. Here are the components that make up a successful evidence-based letter of support:

Background: The first component of the framework is to provide background information on the issue or problem being addressed by the proposed project. This can include data, statistics, and research studies that support the argument that the issue is significant and widespread.

Evidence: The second component of the framework is to provide evidence to support the effectiveness of the proposed solution. This can include studies, research articles, or other types of evidence that demonstrate the potential impact of the proposed project.

Expertise: The third component of the framework is to highlight the expertise of the individuals or organizations involved in the proposed project. This can include descriptions of the qualifications and experience of the project team, as well as any relevant partnerships or collaborations that have been established. Outcomes: The final component of the framework is to describe the specific outcomes or goals that the proposed project aims to achieve. This can include both short-term and long-term outcomes, as well as any specific metrics that will be used to measure success.

By using the evidence-based model, the writer can provide a compelling case for the need for the proposed project and the effectiveness of the proposed solution. This framework can be especially effective when used in combination with other types of evidence, such as personal anecdotes and expert testimonials, to support the argument. Additionally, it is important to ensure that the language used in the letter is clear, concise, and easy to understand, as well as tailored to the specific audience and purpose of the grant application.

Ready to try the Evidence Based Model for your letter of support? Click here to access our template and start crafting a strong, evidence-based argument to support your grant application!

Letters of Support For Grants Templates

If you’re struggling with writing your own letter of support, we encourage you to try some of the templates we’ve provided below. By using them as a guide, you can craft a compelling letters of support that will strengthen any grant application and increase the chances of securing funding.

Problem, Solution, and Impact Template

Dear [Funder’s Name], I am writing in support of [Name of the organization] and their proposed [Name of the project/program]. As someone who is passionate about [Relevant issue], I believe this project has the potential to make a real impact in our community. The problem we are facing is [Brief description of the issue or problem], which has had a negative impact on our community by [Impact of the problem]. This is a pressing issue that demands immediate attention and action. Fortunately, [Name of the organization] has developed an innovative and effective solution to this problem. By [Briefly describe the proposed solution], we can address this issue and make a real impact in our community. The potential impact of this project is significant. [Statistics or data that support the impact of the proposed solution]. If we can successfully implement this project, we can [Positive outcomes that will result from the project]. I strongly believe that [Name of the project/program] is the right solution for our community. [Name of the organization] has a proven track record of success and has the experience and expertise to execute this project with excellence. Thank you for considering this proposal. Your support will make a meaningful difference in the lives of our community members. Sincerely, [Your Name]

Personal Connection Template

Dear [Funder’s Name], I am writing to express my enthusiastic support for [Name of the organization] and their proposed [Name of the project/program]. As someone who has experienced the [Relevant issue], I can personally attest to the urgent need for this project in our community. The team at [Name of the organization] understands the challenges that individuals like me face every day. They have been a trusted resource and source of support for me, and I am grateful for their work. The [Name of the project/program] has the potential to make a real difference in the lives of people like me. By [Briefly describe the proposed solution], this project will provide critical support to those in our community who are most in need. I believe that [Name of the organization] is uniquely positioned to execute this project with excellence. Their expertise, compassion, and dedication to this issue are unparalleled. I am proud to support [Name of the organization] and their efforts to make our community a better place. I hope that you will join me in supporting this important project. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, [Your Name]

Evidence-based Template

Dear [Grantor Name], I am writing this letter in support of [Organization Name] and their proposed project [Project Name]. As [Your Position] of [Your Organization Name], I have had the privilege of working alongside the [Organization Name] team and can attest to their expertise in [Field/Area of Work]. The need for [Project Name] is significant and widespread in the [Community/Population] we serve. [Insert statistics or data that supports this claim]. The proposed solution put forth by [Organization Name] has the potential to make a real impact in [Community/Population] and address the issue at its root cause. In support of the proposed solution, I would like to highlight [Insert evidence, such as studies or research articles, that demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed solution]. Additionally, the expertise of the [Organization Name] team is unparalleled in the [Field/Area of Work]. They have a proven track record of success in [Insert examples of previous projects or initiatives that demonstrate expertise]. The specific outcomes and goals of the proposed project include [Insert short-term and long-term outcomes that the project aims to achieve], with a specific focus on [Insert metrics that will be used to measure success]. I wholeheartedly endorse the proposed project [Project Name] by [Organization Name] and believe that it has the potential to make a lasting impact in the [Community/Population] we serve. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, [Your Name]

Letter of Support Example: Personal Connection Framework :

Dear John Doe, I am writing to express my enthusiastic support for the Women’s Health Initiative and their proposed Breast Cancer Survivor Support Program. As a breast cancer survivor myself, I can personally attest to the urgent need for this program in our community. The team at the Women’s Health Initiative understands the challenges that individuals like me face every day. They have been a trusted resource and source of support for me, providing critical emotional and physical support during my journey. The Breast Cancer Survivor Support Program has the potential to make a real difference in the lives of survivors in our community. By providing access to counseling, support groups, and educational resources, this program will help women navigate the challenges that come with a breast cancer diagnosis and treatment. I believe that the Women’s Health Initiative is uniquely positioned to execute this program with excellence. Their expertise, compassion, and dedication to women’s health are unparalleled. I am proud to support the Women’s Health Initiative and their efforts to make our community a better place. I hope that you will join me in supporting this important program. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, Jane Doe ”

Letter of Support Example: Evidence Based Framework :

Dear John, I am writing to express my strong support for the proposed Literacy for All program, which I believe will have a significant impact on improving the literacy rates in our community. The need for this program is evident from the alarming statistics that indicate that nearly 50% of the adult population in our community lacks basic literacy skills. The Literacy for All program is based on a wealth of research that demonstrates the importance of early childhood literacy interventions, particularly for children from low-income families. Studies have shown that children who are not reading proficiently by third grade are more likely to struggle academically, drop out of school, and face a range of social and economic challenges later in life. The proposed program includes evidence-based strategies such as providing high-quality literacy instruction, offering family literacy programs, and providing access to books and other resources. It is designed to reach children and families in the most vulnerable communities in our area, where the need is greatest. The Literacy for All program has the potential to transform the lives of thousands of children in our community. By improving literacy skills at an early age, we can help set these children on a path toward success in school and in life. I urge you to support this vital program and invest in the future of our community. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, Ezenwa ”

Writing Letters of Support w/ AI

At Grantboost, we’re excited to announce the upcoming release of our cutting-edge Proposal generator to the beta stage. It’s a game changer in the world of grant writing, and we’re confident that it will revolutionize the way you write letters of support. With its intuitive design and powerful AI technology, you’ll be able to generate compelling, persuasive letters in minutes. We’re offering it for free to our beta users, so you can see for yourself just how effective it is. This is just the beginning of what Grantboost has in store for the grant writing community, and we can’t wait to see how our technology will help you secure the funding you need to make a difference.

Boost Your Success: Try Free

Grant Proposals (or Give me the money!)

What this handout is about.

This handout will help you write and revise grant proposals for research funding in all academic disciplines (sciences, social sciences, humanities, and the arts). It’s targeted primarily to graduate students and faculty, although it will also be helpful to undergraduate students who are seeking funding for research (e.g. for a senior thesis).

The grant writing process

A grant proposal or application is a document or set of documents that is submitted to an organization with the explicit intent of securing funding for a research project. Grant writing varies widely across the disciplines, and research intended for epistemological purposes (philosophy or the arts) rests on very different assumptions than research intended for practical applications (medicine or social policy research). Nonetheless, this handout attempts to provide a general introduction to grant writing across the disciplines.

Before you begin writing your proposal, you need to know what kind of research you will be doing and why. You may have a topic or experiment in mind, but taking the time to define what your ultimate purpose is can be essential to convincing others to fund that project. Although some scholars in the humanities and arts may not have thought about their projects in terms of research design, hypotheses, research questions, or results, reviewers and funding agencies expect you to frame your project in these terms. You may also find that thinking about your project in these terms reveals new aspects of it to you.

Writing successful grant applications is a long process that begins with an idea. Although many people think of grant writing as a linear process (from idea to proposal to award), it is a circular process. Many people start by defining their research question or questions. What knowledge or information will be gained as a direct result of your project? Why is undertaking your research important in a broader sense? You will need to explicitly communicate this purpose to the committee reviewing your application. This is easier when you know what you plan to achieve before you begin the writing process.

Diagram 1 below provides an overview of the grant writing process and may help you plan your proposal development.

Applicants must write grant proposals, submit them, receive notice of acceptance or rejection, and then revise their proposals. Unsuccessful grant applicants must revise and resubmit their proposals during the next funding cycle. Successful grant applications and the resulting research lead to ideas for further research and new grant proposals.

Cultivating an ongoing, positive relationship with funding agencies may lead to additional grants down the road. Thus, make sure you file progress reports and final reports in a timely and professional manner. Although some successful grant applicants may fear that funding agencies will reject future proposals because they’ve already received “enough” funding, the truth is that money follows money. Individuals or projects awarded grants in the past are more competitive and thus more likely to receive funding in the future.

Some general tips

• Begin early.
• Apply early and often.
• Don’t forget to include a cover letter with your application.
• Answer all questions. (Pre-empt all unstated questions.)
• If rejected, revise your proposal and apply again.
• Give them what they want. Follow the application guidelines exactly.
• Be explicit and specific.
• Be realistic in designing the project.
• Make explicit the connections between your research questions and objectives, your objectives and methods, your methods and results, and your results and dissemination plan.
• Follow the application guidelines exactly. (We have repeated this tip because it is very, very important.)

Before you start writing

Identify your needs and focus.

First, identify your needs. Answering the following questions may help you:

• Are you undertaking preliminary or pilot research in order to develop a full-blown research agenda?
• Are you seeking funding for dissertation research? Pre-dissertation research? Postdoctoral research? Archival research? Experimental research? Fieldwork?
• Are you seeking a stipend so that you can write a dissertation or book? Polish a manuscript?
• Do you want a fellowship in residence at an institution that will offer some programmatic support or other resources to enhance your project?
• Do you want funding for a large research project that will last for several years and involve multiple staff members?

Next, think about the focus of your research/project. Answering the following questions may help you narrow it down:

• What is the topic? Why is this topic important?
• What are the research questions that you’re trying to answer? What relevance do your research questions have?
• What are your hypotheses?
• What are your research methods?
• Why is your research/project important? What is its significance?
• Do you plan on using quantitative methods? Qualitative methods? Both?
• Will you be undertaking experimental research? Clinical research?

Once you have identified your needs and focus, you can begin looking for prospective grants and funding agencies.

Finding prospective grants and funding agencies

Whether your proposal receives funding will rely in large part on whether your purpose and goals closely match the priorities of granting agencies. Locating possible grantors is a time consuming task, but in the long run it will yield the greatest benefits. Even if you have the most appealing research proposal in the world, if you don’t send it to the right institutions, then you’re unlikely to receive funding.

There are many sources of information about granting agencies and grant programs. Most universities and many schools within universities have Offices of Research, whose primary purpose is to support faculty and students in grant-seeking endeavors. These offices usually have libraries or resource centers to help people find prospective grants.

At UNC, the Research at Carolina office coordinates research support.

The Funding Information Portal offers a collection of databases and proposal development guidance.

The UNC School of Medicine and School of Public Health each have their own Office of Research.

Writing your proposal

The majority of grant programs recruit academic reviewers with knowledge of the disciplines and/or program areas of the grant. Thus, when writing your grant proposals, assume that you are addressing a colleague who is knowledgeable in the general area, but who does not necessarily know the details about your research questions.

Remember that most readers are lazy and will not respond well to a poorly organized, poorly written, or confusing proposal. Be sure to give readers what they want. Follow all the guidelines for the particular grant you are applying for. This may require you to reframe your project in a different light or language. Reframing your project to fit a specific grant’s requirements is a legitimate and necessary part of the process unless it will fundamentally change your project’s goals or outcomes.

Final decisions about which proposals are funded often come down to whether the proposal convinces the reviewer that the research project is well planned and feasible and whether the investigators are well qualified to execute it. Throughout the proposal, be as explicit as possible. Predict the questions that the reviewer may have and answer them. Przeworski and Salomon (1995) note that reviewers read with three questions in mind:

• What are we going to learn as a result of the proposed project that we do not know now? (goals, aims, and outcomes)
• Why is it worth knowing? (significance)
• How will we know that the conclusions are valid? (criteria for success) (2)

Be sure to answer these questions in your proposal. Keep in mind that reviewers may not read every word of your proposal. Your reviewer may only read the abstract, the sections on research design and methodology, the vitae, and the budget. Make these sections as clear and straightforward as possible.

The way you write your grant will tell the reviewers a lot about you (Reif-Lehrer 82). From reading your proposal, the reviewers will form an idea of who you are as a scholar, a researcher, and a person. They will decide whether you are creative, logical, analytical, up-to-date in the relevant literature of the field, and, most importantly, capable of executing the proposed project. Allow your discipline and its conventions to determine the general style of your writing, but allow your own voice and personality to come through. Be sure to clarify your project’s theoretical orientation.

Develop a general proposal and budget

Because most proposal writers seek funding from several different agencies or granting programs, it is a good idea to begin by developing a general grant proposal and budget. This general proposal is sometimes called a “white paper.” Your general proposal should explain your project to a general academic audience. Before you submit proposals to different grant programs, you will tailor a specific proposal to their guidelines and priorities.

Organizing your proposal

Although each funding agency will have its own (usually very specific) requirements, there are several elements of a proposal that are fairly standard, and they often come in the following order:

• Introduction (statement of the problem, purpose of research or goals, and significance of research)

Literature review

• Project narrative (methods, procedures, objectives, outcomes or deliverables, evaluation, and dissemination)
• Budget and budget justification

Format the proposal so that it is easy to read. Use headings to break the proposal up into sections. If it is long, include a table of contents with page numbers.

The title page usually includes a brief yet explicit title for the research project, the names of the principal investigator(s), the institutional affiliation of the applicants (the department and university), name and address of the granting agency, project dates, amount of funding requested, and signatures of university personnel authorizing the proposal (when necessary). Most funding agencies have specific requirements for the title page; make sure to follow them.

The abstract provides readers with their first impression of your project. To remind themselves of your proposal, readers may glance at your abstract when making their final recommendations, so it may also serve as their last impression of your project. The abstract should explain the key elements of your research project in the future tense. Most abstracts state: (1) the general purpose, (2) specific goals, (3) research design, (4) methods, and (5) significance (contribution and rationale). Be as explicit as possible in your abstract. Use statements such as, “The objective of this study is to …”

Introduction

The introduction should cover the key elements of your proposal, including a statement of the problem, the purpose of research, research goals or objectives, and significance of the research. The statement of problem should provide a background and rationale for the project and establish the need and relevance of the research. How is your project different from previous research on the same topic? Will you be using new methodologies or covering new theoretical territory? The research goals or objectives should identify the anticipated outcomes of the research and should match up to the needs identified in the statement of problem. List only the principle goal(s) or objective(s) of your research and save sub-objectives for the project narrative.

Many proposals require a literature review. Reviewers want to know whether you’ve done the necessary preliminary research to undertake your project. Literature reviews should be selective and critical, not exhaustive. Reviewers want to see your evaluation of pertinent works. For more information, see our handout on literature reviews .

Project narrative

The project narrative provides the meat of your proposal and may require several subsections. The project narrative should supply all the details of the project, including a detailed statement of problem, research objectives or goals, hypotheses, methods, procedures, outcomes or deliverables, and evaluation and dissemination of the research.

For the project narrative, pre-empt and/or answer all of the reviewers’ questions. Don’t leave them wondering about anything. For example, if you propose to conduct unstructured interviews with open-ended questions, be sure you’ve explained why this methodology is best suited to the specific research questions in your proposal. Or, if you’re using item response theory rather than classical test theory to verify the validity of your survey instrument, explain the advantages of this innovative methodology. Or, if you need to travel to Valdez, Alaska to access historical archives at the Valdez Museum, make it clear what documents you hope to find and why they are relevant to your historical novel on the ’98ers in the Alaskan Gold Rush.

Clearly and explicitly state the connections between your research objectives, research questions, hypotheses, methodologies, and outcomes. As the requirements for a strong project narrative vary widely by discipline, consult a discipline-specific guide to grant writing for some additional advice.

Explain staffing requirements in detail and make sure that staffing makes sense. Be very explicit about the skill sets of the personnel already in place (you will probably include their Curriculum Vitae as part of the proposal). Explain the necessary skill sets and functions of personnel you will recruit. To minimize expenses, phase out personnel who are not relevant to later phases of a project.

The budget spells out project costs and usually consists of a spreadsheet or table with the budget detailed as line items and a budget narrative (also known as a budget justification) that explains the various expenses. Even when proposal guidelines do not specifically mention a narrative, be sure to include a one or two page explanation of the budget. To see a sample budget, turn to Example #1 at the end of this handout.

Consider including an exhaustive budget for your project, even if it exceeds the normal grant size of a particular funding organization. Simply make it clear that you are seeking additional funding from other sources. This technique will make it easier for you to combine awards down the road should you have the good fortune of receiving multiple grants.

Make sure that all budget items meet the funding agency’s requirements. For example, all U.S. government agencies have strict requirements for airline travel. Be sure the cost of the airline travel in your budget meets their requirements. If a line item falls outside an agency’s requirements (e.g. some organizations will not cover equipment purchases or other capital expenses), explain in the budget justification that other grant sources will pay for the item.

Many universities require that indirect costs (overhead) be added to grants that they administer. Check with the appropriate offices to find out what the standard (or required) rates are for overhead. Pass a draft budget by the university officer in charge of grant administration for assistance with indirect costs and costs not directly associated with research (e.g. facilities use charges).

Furthermore, make sure you factor in the estimated taxes applicable for your case. Depending on the categories of expenses and your particular circumstances (whether you are a foreign national, for example), estimated tax rates may differ. You can consult respective departmental staff or university services, as well as professional tax assistants. For information on taxes on scholarships and fellowships, see https://cashier.unc.edu/student-tax-information/scholarships-fellowships/ .

Explain the timeframe for the research project in some detail. When will you begin and complete each step? It may be helpful to reviewers if you present a visual version of your timeline. For less complicated research, a table summarizing the timeline for the project will help reviewers understand and evaluate the planning and feasibility. See Example #2 at the end of this handout.

For multi-year research proposals with numerous procedures and a large staff, a time line diagram can help clarify the feasibility and planning of the study. See Example #3 at the end of this handout.

Revising your proposal

Strong grant proposals take a long time to develop. Start the process early and leave time to get feedback from several readers on different drafts. Seek out a variety of readers, both specialists in your research area and non-specialist colleagues. You may also want to request assistance from knowledgeable readers on specific areas of your proposal. For example, you may want to schedule a meeting with a statistician to help revise your methodology section. Don’t hesitate to seek out specialized assistance from the relevant research offices on your campus. At UNC, the Odum Institute provides a variety of services to graduate students and faculty in the social sciences.

In your revision and editing, ask your readers to give careful consideration to whether you’ve made explicit the connections between your research objectives and methodology. Here are some example questions:

• Have you presented a compelling case?
• Have you made your hypotheses explicit?
• Does your project seem feasible? Is it overly ambitious? Does it have other weaknesses?
• Have you stated the means that grantors can use to evaluate the success of your project after you’ve executed it?

If a granting agency lists particular criteria used for rating and evaluating proposals, be sure to share these with your own reviewers.

Example #1. Sample Budget

Jet travel $6,100 This estimate is based on the commercial high season rate for jet economy travel on Sabena Belgian Airlines. No U.S. carriers fly to Kigali, Rwanda. Sabena has student fare tickets available which will be significantly less expensive (approximately $2,000).

Maintenance allowance $22,788 Based on the Fulbright-Hays Maintenance Allowances published in the grant application guide.

Research assistant/translator $4,800 The research assistant/translator will be a native (and primary) speaker of Kinya-rwanda with at least a four-year university degree. They will accompany the primary investigator during life history interviews to provide assistance in comprehension. In addition, they will provide commentary, explanations, and observations to facilitate the primary investigator’s participant observation. During the first phase of the project in Kigali, the research assistant will work forty hours a week and occasional overtime as needed. During phases two and three in rural Rwanda, the assistant will stay with the investigator overnight in the field when necessary. The salary of $400 per month is based on the average pay rate for individuals with similar qualifications working for international NGO’s in Rwanda.

Transportation within country, phase one $1,200 The primary investigator and research assistant will need regular transportation within Kigali by bus and taxi. The average taxi fare in Kigali is $6-8 and bus fare is $.15. This figure is based on an average of $10 per day in transportation costs during the first project phase.

Transportation within country, phases two and three $12,000 Project personnel will also require regular transportation between rural field sites. If it is not possible to remain overnight, daily trips will be necessary. The average rental rate for a 4×4 vehicle in Rwanda is $130 per day. This estimate is based on an average of $50 per day in transportation costs for the second and third project phases. These costs could be reduced if an arrangement could be made with either a government ministry or international aid agency for transportation assistance.

Email $720 The rate for email service from RwandaTel (the only service provider in Rwanda) is $60 per month. Email access is vital for receiving news reports on Rwanda and the region as well as for staying in contact with dissertation committee members and advisors in the United States.

Audiocassette tapes $400 Audiocassette tapes will be necessary for recording life history interviews, musical performances, community events, story telling, and other pertinent data.

Photographic & slide film $100 Photographic and slide film will be necessary to document visual data such as landscape, environment, marriages, funerals, community events, etc.

Laptop computer $2,895 A laptop computer will be necessary for recording observations, thoughts, and analysis during research project. Price listed is a special offer to UNC students through the Carolina Computing Initiative.

NUD*IST 4.0 software $373.00 NUD*IST, “Nonnumerical, Unstructured Data, Indexing, Searching, and Theorizing,” is necessary for cataloging, indexing, and managing field notes both during and following the field research phase. The program will assist in cataloging themes that emerge during the life history interviews.

Administrative fee $100 Fee set by Fulbright-Hays for the sponsoring institution.

Example #2: Project Timeline in Table Format

Example #3: project timeline in chart format.

Some closing advice

Some of us may feel ashamed or embarrassed about asking for money or promoting ourselves. Often, these feelings have more to do with our own insecurities than with problems in the tone or style of our writing. If you’re having trouble because of these types of hang-ups, the most important thing to keep in mind is that it never hurts to ask. If you never ask for the money, they’ll never give you the money. Besides, the worst thing they can do is say no.

UNC resources for proposal writing

Research at Carolina http://research.unc.edu

The Odum Institute for Research in the Social Sciences https://odum.unc.edu/

UNC Medical School Office of Research https://www.med.unc.edu/oor

UNC School of Public Health Office of Research http://www.sph.unc.edu/research/

Works consulted

We consulted these works while writing this handout. This is not a comprehensive list of resources on the handout’s topic, and we encourage you to do your own research to find additional publications. Please do not use this list as a model for the format of your own reference list, as it may not match the citation style you are using. For guidance on formatting citations, please see the UNC Libraries citation tutorial . We revise these tips periodically and welcome feedback.

Holloway, Brian R. 2003. Proposal Writing Across the Disciplines. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Prentice Hall.

Levine, S. Joseph. “Guide for Writing a Funding Proposal.” http://www.learnerassociates.net/proposal/ .

Locke, Lawrence F., Waneen Wyrick Spirduso, and Stephen J. Silverman. 2014. Proposals That Work . Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

Przeworski, Adam, and Frank Salomon. 2012. “Some Candid Suggestions on the Art of Writing Proposals.” Social Science Research Council. https://s3.amazonaws.com/ssrc-cdn2/art-of-writing-proposals-dsd-e-56b50ef814f12.pdf .

Reif-Lehrer, Liane. 1989. Writing a Successful Grant Application . Boston: Jones and Bartlett Publishers.

Wiggins, Beverly. 2002. “Funding and Proposal Writing for Social Science Faculty and Graduate Student Research.” Chapel Hill: Howard W. Odum Institute for Research in Social Science. 2 Feb. 2004. http://www2.irss.unc.edu/irss/shortcourses/wigginshandouts/granthandout.pdf.

You may reproduce it for non-commercial use if you use the entire handout and attribute the source: The Writing Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Make a Gift

How to Write a Cover Letter for Your Grant Proposal

Customer Success Manager at Instrumentl

Reviewed by:

October 27, 2021

Last Updated:

November 20, 2023

Table of Contents

If you’re applying for a grant, the funder will often ask you to submit a cover letter with your grant proposal.

I know, this can be frustrating. You’re already dedicating time to writing a successful grant proposal . Why do you also have to write a cover letter? 

Although it may seem like extra work, it’s actually a critical step to get right. If you don’t nail it, the funder may pass over your application entirely.

To avoid this, we’re going deep into how to write effective cover letters for grants. In this article, we’ll unpack:

• What cover letters for grant proposals are
• Why it is an important piece of your grant application
• And the six parts of a successful cover letter
• Templates to get you started
• Pitfalls to avoid

Let’s dive in!

What are Cover Letters for Grant Proposals?

A cover letter for a grant proposal is a document that goes along with your completed proposal. It is your opportunity to demonstrate that you understand the priorities and interests of the funder and how your work aligns with their goals.

An effective cover letter will communicate why your organization and your program deserve to be funded . It should pique the funder’s interest, getting them to read your full proposal. 

Pro Tip : Cover letters are typically only requested by foundations and corporations . In the case of government grants , they don’t ask for cover letters because they have very specific proposal layouts and requirements.

Only submit a cover letter if the funder requests one. Many funders now utilize online application systems which do not require a cover letter, so make sure you understand the requirements of the specific funder.

Overall, the cover letter provides a taste of your organization and request. It should entice the funder and demonstrate why you are a good fit.

Why Are Cover Letters Important for Nonprofits?

If you see the cover letter as just a nother checkbox you need to complete before submittign your application, think again. Here are 4 reasons why you need to think hard about writing a grant proposal cover letter that captures the attention of funders.

First Impressions Matter: Setting the Tone for Your Proposal

The cover letter is the first point of contact that your nonprofit has with a potential funder, and you want to make a good impression ! 

A professional, concise, well-written cover letter sets the tone with the funder for the rest of your proposal. It’s also a chance for you to capture the reader’s attention and get them excited about your proposal.

Building a Connection With Potential Funders

Your cover letter is your opportunity to get the funder engaged .

The cover letter gives you a chance to share your “elevator pitch” with the funder. If a funder walks away from your cover letter feeling excited about your project, you’re leagues ahead of the competition taht submitted a dry, cookie cutter cover letter.

Highlighting Key Points From Your Grant Proposal

A grant proposal’s cover letter isn’t all that different from a potential job’s cover letter.

Highlight the key points that will help you stand out above other applicants . Don’t be afraid to brag a little bit! Tell the funder why your proposal or project is unique and impactful. 

But remember—a cover letter is not an executive summary .

Demonstrating Organizational Maturity and Professionalism

Your cover letter is an opportunity to demonstrate your organization’s maturity and professionalism . Make it known that you receive and manage a large grant portfolio of grants every year, and that you have experience in maintaining grant compliance .

In doing so, you are showing the funder that they can trust you with their award.

Click to find the best grants for your nonprofit from 12,000+ active opportunities.

Search 150+ subcategories

6 Parts of a Successful Grant Proposal Cover Letter

Below are general formatting tips for your grant’s cover letter:

• Your cover letter should be written on company letterhead.
• The date on the cover letter should match the date of your proposal or application.
• The letter should be contained to one page, consisting of 3-4 paragraphs.
• Find the appropriate contact person at the funding organization so you can address your letter to a specific person.
• The address of the funder should be placed at the top of the letter. Format the address as: contact name, title, funder name, address.
• Use a formal introduction in the salutation, such as “Dear Mr/Mrs.”
• The letter should be signed by an appropriate official from your organization, such as the Executive Director.
• Include the word “ENCLOSURE” or “ATTACHMENT” at the bottom to indicate that the letter is part of a larger packet.

In addition to these basic formatting tips, there are 6 basic parts that you should be sure to include in your grant proposal cover letters.

Introduction: Who You Are

Be sure to introduce your organization at the beginning of your cover letter. 

This provides readers with a background understanding of your nonprofit and its purpose. You want to include things such as the name of your organization, your mission and values , and how long you have been in existence.  

About Your Organization: What You Do

In this section, you want to concisely explain what your organization does—include relevant programs and projects. 

This will show that your organization’s work aligns with their mission and giving priorities.

Need Statement: The Problem You're Addressing

Clearly state the problem that your program or project intends to address. 

This demonstrates to the reader that you are filling a gap that exists in your community. You should include data to support your statements when possible so that the funder knows the need is real.

Project Overview: Your Plan

While space is limited in a cover letter, it is important to share outline a well-thought-out project plan. Showing funders how you plan to utilize their funds will help your proposal stand out.

Funding Request: What You Need

The whole purpose of submitting a grant proposal is to secure funds for a program or project. 

Don’t dance around it. Call out exactly how much money you need for your initiative so that the funder knows up front whether or not your request is in alignment with their giving priorities. 

Pro tip: Often, nonprofits don’t ask for enough funding. To not leave anything on the table, Instrumentl users can quickly uncover how much to ask for in a grant by using our insights on funders.

Closing: Why They Should Support You

You want to end your cover letter by telling the funder why they should support you. Whether it is because your missions are aligned, your project is super unique (ideally, both!), you want to clearly state these reasons in your cover letter. 

Consider closing the letter with an invitation for a site visit or program observation, if appropriate. Be sure to include the contact information for whoever can answer application questions. And end with a confident statement such as “I look forward to speaking with you more about this program.”

3 Sample Cover Letters for Grant Proposals

In this section, we have written original sample grant proposal cover letters. Following each example, we break down the good and bad parts of each letter.

1. Following Up After Meeting With The Funder

Grant proposal cover letter example one breakdown.

Here’s why we like this cover letter:

• Referencing those prior conversations will remind the funder that you’ve already done some leg work in terms of outreach and research into the foundation.
• This letter includes erveral of the key parts of a successful cover letter, such as the introduction, information about the organization, funding request, project information, and a confident closing. 

The letter is also signed by the executive director and provides her contact information. However, there could be a bit more emotion incorporated into this letter to help the funder form a connection with the organization and the project .

2. Breaking The Ice With A New Funder

Grant proposal cover letter example two breakdown.

Our second grant proposal cover letter example also covers many of the key components: organizational info, funding request, project information, and a closing. 

We really like how the closing in this letter includes an invitation for the funder to tour the facility and see the work in action—this is such a good idea!

This letter is lacking a statement of need , however. Although it clearly shows alignment between the nonprofit’s work and the funder’s mission, there’s no information about why there is a need in this community for support for people suffering from PTSD . Again, some data points would go a long way here in making this a more compelling case for support.

Also note that this letter does not reference any prior conversations with the funder. This is a good template to use if you are applying to a funder for the first time.

3. Renewing Funding From A Previous Funder

Grant proposal cover letter example three breakdown.

Our final example demonstrates how you would write to a funder that has previously funded your organization.

The nonprofit explains how a prior grant from this foundation helped their program; we LOVE that they included data about how many youth were served from the prior grant. This helps the funder really understand the impact of their donation, which will give them confidence in choosing to fund this organization again. 

This letter also does a great job of showing the nonprofit’s alignment with the funder’s mission and work . Again, this instills confidence in the funder that they’re making a good investment with their money.

Get access to weekly advice and grant writing templates

10k+ grant writers have already subscribed

Mistakes to Avoid When Writing a Grant Proposal Cover Letter

So, we’ve reviewed what a grant proposal cover letter is, why it is important, and what the key parts are that should be included in the letter. 

You’re probably feeling like you’re almost ready to start writing your own cover letters—but hold on. Before you dive in, let’s review some common pitfalls in cover letter writing and how you can avoid making these mistakes.  

Overloading the Cover Letter with Jargon

One of the biggest mistakes you can make when you’re writing a grant proposal cover letter is filling it with industry-specific jargon .  

Don’t try to impress the funder with all the fancy terminology of your industry. Not all funders will understand this lingo, and it could end up confusing them instead of helping to make the case for your project.  

Ignoring Specific Funder Guidelines and Requests

This is a critical mistake that many grant applicants make. Don’t ignore the funder’s guidelines !

Every funder will have different requests—whether they want you to hand-deliver 10 copies of your single-sided application or request a signature from your Board Chair, it’s imperative that you follow these guidelines.  

This relates to the cover letter as well! If a funder specifically says to not include a cover letter, listen to them!

Being Vague or Generic in Your Statements

Another common pitfall that nonprofits fall into is being overly generic and vague in their cover letters . 

To demonstrate why your nonprofit is a good fit for the funding opportunity, share specifics about your organization, background, mission, and goals.  

Another piece of advice—don’t use the generic “To whom it may concern” or “Dear Human Resources” salutation. Find a specific contact to direct your proposal to so that you can personalize the letter.

Instrumentl is a great resource for finding funder details, providing clear insights into who some of the key people within a foundation are.

Overlooking the Importance of Follow-Up Information

All of the examples that we showed you included details on who the funder should contact if they have any questions . This is so important! 

You don’t want a potential funder to be stuck Google-searching information on your nonprofit if they need to contact you. That’s a sure fire way to get your application declined.

Wrapping Things Up: Cover Letters for Grant Proposals

To conclude, make sure you understand funder requirements, obtain information for a direct contact at the funder, and write the cover letter after you complete the grant proposal application. 

If you follow these steps, you will be well on your way to writing a good grant application letter.

For more tips on enhancing your grant proposals, check out these 21 grant writing examples for nonprofits !

Amelie Heurteux

Amelie Heurteux, a Customer Success Manager at Instrumentl, works day in and day out training nonprofits and grant writers how to efficiently prospect new funders and streamline their grant tracking and management processes.

Become a Stronger Grant Writer in Just 5 Minutes

Share this article, related posts, 5 tips for using ai to write grants: 4 experts putting it to the test.

These days, it feels like Artificial Intelligence (AI) is everywhere. We spoke to four industry experts to learn how they are—or are not—using AI to support their grant-seeking efforts.

How to Make Your Letter of Inquiry Stand Out To Funders

Learn how to write compelling Letters of Inquiry (LOIs) with practical advice from grant experts. Discover essential tips from recorded events with Arnisha Johnson and Margit Brazda Poirier to increase your chances of success in securing funding for your nonprofit.

These Grant Writers Raised Millions: Tactics They Swear By To Win Over Funders

Unlock the secrets to becoming a game-changing grants professional with insights from industry experts who have secured millions in funding. Learn from their years of experience.

Try Instrumentl

The best tool for finding & organizing grants

128 reviews | High Performer status on g2.com

How to Write a Letter to Receive a Grant or Scholarship for College

How to Write a Scholarship Letter

When you’re writing an application for a grant of scholarship, you may need to write a letter. This letter could be a cover letter that accompanies your scholarship essay and application details or the letter could be a scholarship request itself. In either case, this could be the most important letter that you have ever written. But don’t let that scare you. Read tips on what to say before you start and look at a sample scholarship request letter if you’re still having trouble.

Why Do I Need to Write a Letter?

Writing a letter gives you a chance to explain anything that might not be obvious on an application. In your letter, make sure you maintain a formal tone, but don’t write in a way that is unnatural. Depending on the application, you might explain why you want the scholarship or grant. You might also give a little bit of information about yourself that the scholarship committee would not be able to deduce from the rest of your application materials. Review a student grant application letter sample and a sample scholarship request letter for examples of how to do this.

Student Grant Application Letter Sample

An application for a grant of scholarship may call for a cover letter. Below, you will find a student grant application letter sample. Use this as a guide for writing your own cover letter to accompany your grant application.

Dear Dr. _:

My name is Jane Doe, and I’m writing to submit my application for [Scholarship Title]. I am currently a senior in high school, and [relevant information about yourself in relation to the scholarship].

[Here, explain why you need the scholarship. What is your financial situation like?]

If you require any further materials or if you have questions about my application, please contact me at [phone number].

I appreciate your time and consideration.

Sample Scholarship Request Letter

An application for a grant of scholarship might entail just writing a letter to request funds. Don’t copy the sample scholarship request letter word for word. Instead, add your own voice to the ideas. Make sure it sounds like you.

A scholarship request letter will have more detail than a cover letter. In fact, it will be more like an essay. Begin and end in the same way as with a cover letter, but the body of this letter will be more like an argumentative essay.

[Here, explain why you need the scholarship. What is your financial situation like? Include a thesis statement in this paragraph.]

[Point one: Write a paragraph detailing your first piece of evidence.]

[Point two: Write a paragraph detailing your second piece of evidence.]

[Point three: Write a paragraph detailing your third piece of evidence.]

[Write a paragraph for your conclusion that wraps up the points in the body of your letter.]

Related Articles

How to End a Scholarship Letter

How to Write a Cover Letter for a Graduate Studies Scholarship ...

How to ask a Dean to Write a Recommendation Letter

How to Write a Letter to First Lady Michelle Obama

How to Write a Request for a Scholarship

How to Write a Letter Requesting Financial Aid for College

Good Facts to Include in a Scholarship Reference Letter

How to Write a Scholarship Form

• Top Universities: How to Write a Scholarship Application Cover Letter

Rebecca Renner is a teacher and college professor from Florida. She loves teaching about literature, and she writes about books for Book Riot, Real Simple, Electric Literature and more.

Grant Application Cover Letter

• September 22, 2023

A Grant Application Cover Letter is a formal document that accompanies a grant application, typically addressed to a potential grantor or a funding organization. This letter serves as an introduction to the grant proposal, providing a concise overview of the project or program for which funding is sought.

It plays a critical role in making a first impression and convincing the grantor that the project is worth considering for funding.

The art of crafting a compelling grant application cover letter is integral in navigating the competitive terrain of grant procurement. This initial document serves as a pivotal interface between the applicant and the potential funding entity, reflecting the aspirations, the precision, and the authenticity of the proposed project.

A well-constructed cover letter can be instrumental in shaping favorable impressions, setting the stage for a thorough review of the accompanying application.

The essence of a grant application cover letter is to succinctly communicate the core objectives and anticipated impacts of the proposed endeavor. It acts as a gateway to the intricate details of the application, providing a glimpse into the innovation, relevance, and feasibility embedded within the project.

Given its paramount importance, it is crucial for applicants to meticulously align the content of the cover letter with the ethos and expectations of the funding organization.

In the dynamic landscape of grant procurement, the necessity for clarity, coherence, and congruence in articulating project outlines and objectives cannot be overstated.

The cover letter should resonate with the mission and values of the granting entity, elucidating the synergies between the proposed project and the overarching goals of the funder.

The intricate balance between conciseness and comprehensiveness in presenting the project’s scope and significance is vital in maintaining the interest and curiosity of the reviewers.

The strategic incorporation of pertinent information regarding the applicant’s background, expertise, and the contextual relevance of the project is crucial in establishing credibility and demonstrating commitment.

The inclusion of such elements not only substantiates the feasibility of the project but also reinforces the alignment between the applicant’s capabilities and the project’s demands. It serves to instill confidence in the reviewers about the applicant’s competence and the potential success of the proposed initiative.

Moreover, the articulation of the project’s goals, the anticipated outcomes, and the prospective benefits is essential in elucidating the transformative potential embedded within the proposal.

It provides an opportunity for applicants to showcase the uniqueness and the value proposition of their project, distinguishing it from the plethora of applications. The emphasis on the anticipated impacts and the broader implications of the project fosters a sense of relevance and urgency, compelling the reviewers to delve deeper into the application.

In this realm of incessant competition and evolving expectations, the role of meticulous research and nuanced understanding of the funding organization’s priorities is undeniable. The nuanced tailoring of the cover letter to resonate with the specific interests, values, and mission of the grantor is instrumental in establishing a connection and fostering alignment. The infusion of insights gleaned from thorough research enhances the authenticity and the contextual relevance of the cover letter, optimizing its potential to captivate and convince.

Furthermore, the meticulous attention to detail and adherence to the prescribed guidelines and format is essential in preserving the integrity and the professionalism of the application. The precision in language, the clarity in expression, and the coherence in structure are vital in conveying the seriousness and the sophistication inherent in the proposal. The avoidance of ambiguity, redundancy, and over-complexity is key in maintaining the fluidity and the accessibility of the content.

Understanding the Purpose

A grant application cover letter often serves as the first point of contact between the applicant and the granting institution. The purpose of this crucial document goes beyond merely introducing the project; it acts as a window, revealing the potential, viability, and relevance of the proposed endeavor, and its alignment with the funder’s objectives.

Understanding the purpose of a cover letter in the grant application process is pivotal. It’s the initial framework, setting the tone and providing a concise snapshot of the applicant’s proposal.

This document is vital for creating a strong first impression, reflecting the essence of the project and its potential impact. It lays the groundwork, inviting the grantor to explore the application further, beckoning them into the depths of the envisioned project, its aims, methodologies, and the anticipated outcomes.

Importance of a Cover Letter:

The value of a meticulously crafted cover letter cannot be understated in the world of grant applications. It’s the initial handshake, the first interaction that could make or break the journey of the proposed project. It’s not merely an informative piece but a persuasive document that strives to resonate with the reviewers, subtly conveying the symbiotic alignment between the project’s goals and the funding organization’s mission. It serves to entice, to pique interest, leading the way for the detailed exposition contained within the application.

Role in Creating a First Impression:

First impressions carry immense weight, dictating the subsequent interactions and shaping the perceptions of the reviewers. A well-articulated cover letter is instrumental in constructing a favorable and lasting impression.

It’s the preliminary canvas, painting a vivid picture of the project’s essence, its innovativeness, and its potential to effect meaningful change. The emphasis on clarity, conciseness, and relevance is paramount in ensuring the sustained interest and engagement of the reviewers, steering them towards a deeper exploration of the proposal.

Complementing the Grant Application:

The cover letter and the grant application share a symbiotic relationship, each enhancing the impact of the other. The cover letter serves as a gateway, a concise summary accentuating the pivotal aspects of the project, while the application delves into the intricate details, substantiating the claims and the projections made in the cover letter. This harmonious interplay is crucial in presenting a coherent, comprehensive, and compelling narrative, optimizing the chances of securing the coveted grant.

Setting the Tone:

The tone of the cover letter is a subtle yet powerful element, reflecting the applicant’s approach, attitude, and the level of professionalism. A balanced, respectful, and earnest tone is crucial in establishing rapport and credibility. The infusion of enthusiasm, conviction, and humility can significantly enhance the relatability and the authenticity of the document, fostering a sense of trust and resonance with the reviewers. The deliberate alignment of the tone with the ethos and the expectations of the funding organization is key in optimizing the impact and the persuasiveness of the cover letter.

Essential Components

The crafting of an effective grant application cover letter is akin to constructing a building; every component, every element has a role, ensuring the overall stability, coherence, and impact of the structure. The integral components of a cover letter work in unison to present a well-rounded picture of the project, its relevance, and the prospective benefits, compelling the reviewers to delve deeper into the details provided in the grant application.

A well-structured cover letter is a blend of pertinent information, clear articulation, and strategic emphasis. It consists of several critical elements, each contributing to the overall narrative and impact of the document.

These components, from address to signature, collectively serve to introduce, elucidate, and emphasize the project’s goals, methodologies, anticipated outcomes, and alignment with the funding organization’s mission and values. The meticulous attention to each element ensures the coherence, clarity, and persuasiveness of the cover letter, optimizing its potential to captivate and convince.

Address and Salutation:

The address and salutation set the tone for the interaction, reflecting the professionalism and the attention to detail inherent in the applicant. The accurate addressing of the funding organization and the appropriate salutation are foundational in establishing rapport and conveying respect. The meticulous verification of the organization’s name, the recipient’s title, and the preferred form of address is crucial in avoiding inaccuracies and ensuring a positive first impression.

Introduction:

The introduction serves as the entry point, the initial glimpse into the essence of the proposed project. It’s the succinct articulation of the project’s core objectives, its relevance, and its alignment with the funder’s goals. The strategic emphasis on clarity, conciseness, and relevance in the introduction is vital in capturing the interest of the reviewers and compelling them to explore further. The integration of a hook, a unique angle or insight, can significantly enhance the impact and the memorability of the introduction.

Project Description:

The project description is the heart of the cover letter, providing a concise yet comprehensive overview of the proposed endeavor. It delves into the specifics, elucidating the methodologies, the anticipated outcomes, and the broader implications of the project. The meticulous balancing of detail and brevity is crucial in maintaining the engagement of the reviewers, providing them with a clear understanding of the project’s scope, significance, and feasibility, while fostering a sense of curiosity and anticipation.

Project’s Objectives:

The articulation of the project’s objectives serves to clarify the envisioned outcomes and the intended impacts of the proposal. It’s the clear, coherent presentation of the goals, the transformative potential, and the alignment with the funding organization’s mission. The emphasis on specificity, measurability, attainability, relevance, and time-bound nature of the objectives is essential in conveying the viability and the value proposition of the project, instilling confidence in the reviewers about the prospects of success.

Budget Overview:

The budget overview provides a snapshot of the financial aspects of the project, offering insights into the allocation, utilization, and management of the funds. It’s the transparent, accountable presentation of the financial needs, the justifications, and the anticipated returns on investment. The strategic integration of a budget overview in the cover letter is instrumental in establishing credibility, demonstrating financial acumen, and reinforcing the feasibility and the sustainability of the project.

Closing Remarks and Signature:

The closing remarks and the signature are the final touches, the concluding interactions that re-emphasize the key points and express gratitude for the consideration. The infusion of sincerity, humility, and optimism in the closing remarks is vital in leaving a lasting, positive impression. The professional, respectful signature reflects the earnestness and the commitment of the applicant, serving as a subtle reminder of the authenticity and the integrity inherent in the proposal.

Tailoring the Content

Navigating the nuanced landscape of grant application cover letters necessitates more than just a clear understanding of the project and its components; it requires a meticulous approach to tailoring content. Customizing the narrative to align with the values, interests, and expectations of the granting organization is pivotal in creating resonance and establishing connection.

Tailoring the content of a grant application cover letter is akin to designing a key that perfectly fits a lock. It involves a comprehensive understanding of the funding organization’s mission, goals, and preferences, and aligning the cover letter’s narrative, tone, and emphasis accordingly. This customized approach enhances the relevance and the appeal of the document, optimizing its potential to engage, resonate, and convince. It transforms the cover letter into a dynamic, adaptive entity that speaks directly to the unique needs and aspirations of the grantor.

Understanding the Funder’s Mission:

To tailor content effectively, a profound understanding of the funder’s mission and values is indispensable. This knowledge serves as the foundation upon which the narrative is built, ensuring alignment and coherence with the grantor’s expectations and aspirations. A deep dive into the organization’s objectives, areas of interest, and previous funding initiatives provides insights into their preferences and priorities, enabling the crafting of a narrative that is attuned to their ethos.

Aligning Project Goals:

Once the funder’s mission is discerned, aligning the project’s goals with it is crucial. This involves highlighting the synergies between the proposed project and the grantor’s objectives, emphasizing the mutual benefits and the shared vision. Articulating the project’s objectives in a way that reflects the funder’s interests and values enhances the perceived relevance and value of the proposal, fostering a sense of partnership and shared purpose.

Demonstrating Impact:

The emphasis on the anticipated impacts and benefits of the project is integral in tailoring the content. Demonstrating the transformative potential of the proposal in terms that resonate with the funder’s goals creates a compelling narrative. The quantifiable presentation of the expected outcomes, their broader implications, and their alignment with the grantor’s mission reinforces the feasibility and the significance of the project, instilling confidence and interest in the reviewers.

Using Appropriate Language:

The language used in the cover letter is a subtle yet powerful element in tailoring the content. It reflects the understanding, the respect, and the alignment with the grantor’s culture and values. Adopting a tone and a vocabulary that resonate with the organization’s ethos enhances the relatability and the accessibility of the document. The infusion of terms, phrases, and references that are familiar and valued by the grantor contributes to the authenticity and the appeal of the narrative.

Addressing Specific Criteria:

Funding organizations often have specific criteria and expectations for grant applications. Addressing these explicitly and meticulously in the cover letter is essential in creating a tailored narrative. It demonstrates attentiveness, thoroughness, and alignment with the organization’s standards and requirements. Providing clear, concise responses to the outlined criteria enhances the clarity and the coherence of the document, optimizing its potential to meet the specific needs and expectations of the grantor.

Incorporating Feedback:

If available, incorporating feedback from previous interactions or applications with the funding organization is a strategic move in tailoring content. It reflects adaptability, responsiveness, and a commitment to continuous improvement. Addressing the areas of concern, emphasizing the enhancements made, and reiterating the alignment with the funder’s goals contribute to the credibility and the persuasiveness of the proposal, optimizing its chances of success.

Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

Crafting a compelling grant application cover letter involves navigating around various potential pitfalls. These missteps can significantly hinder the impact and effectiveness of the document, thereby reducing the likelihood of securing the grant.

Identifying common pitfalls in writing grant application cover letters is crucial for avoiding them and enhancing the document’s effectiveness. These pitfalls often revolve around clarity, relevance, conciseness, and alignment with the grantor’s mission and expectations. By being cognizant of these pitfalls and implementing strategic measures, applicants can optimize the cover letter’s coherence, persuasiveness, and appeal, increasing the chances of a favorable reception.

Lack of Clarity:

One common pitfall is the lack of clarity and coherence in presenting the project’s goals, methodologies, and anticipated outcomes. How to Avoid: Prioritize clear, concise articulation of the project’s essence and its alignment with the funder’s mission. Use straightforward language and logical structuring to enhance understanding and engagement.

Neglecting the Funder’s Mission:

Another pitfall is neglecting to align the project’s objectives and impacts with the funder’s mission and values. How to Avoid: Conduct thorough research on the funding organization’s goals, preferences, and previous grants to tailor the content effectively, emphasizing mutual benefits and shared values.

Overloading with Details:

Overloading the cover letter with excessive details and technical jargon can overwhelm the reviewers and obscure the main points. How to Avoid: Maintain a balance between detail and brevity, focusing on the most pivotal aspects of the project. Use accessible language and provide succinct, relevant information to keep the reviewers engaged and informed.

Ignoring Specific Criteria:

Ignoring the specific criteria and guidelines provided by the funding organization can lead to non-compliance and reduced credibility. How to Avoid: Carefully review the application guidelines and address each criterion meticulously, demonstrating attentiveness and alignment with the organization’s standards and expectations.

Overlooking Proofreading:

Submitting a cover letter with errors and inconsistencies can convey a lack of professionalism and attention to detail. How to Avoid: Allocate ample time for proofreading and revisions. Seek feedback from peers or mentors and use editing tools to ensure accuracy, coherence, and polish.

Grant Application Cover Letter Example

Dear Madam Rosy,

I am reaching out on behalf of Girls Empower, a dedicated non-profit organization with a mission to foster learning and development opportunities for young girls from underserved communities.

We believe in the transformative power of education and empowerment to build a foundation for a more equitable, inclusive future. We are fervent advocates of nurturing potential, fostering resilience, and creating platforms for voices waiting to be heard.

We are writing to express our sincere interest in partnering with the Impact Makers Foundation, whose commitment to making a lasting difference aligns seamlessly with our core values and objectives. We humbly seek your support and consideration for a grant amount of  $150,000 to launch our initiative titled “E mpowering Futures: Nurturing the Next Generation of Female Leaders.”

The “Empowering Futures” initiative aims to provide holistic education, mentorship, and skill development programs for 200 young girls aged 10-15 in Ohio, focusing on STEM education, leadership training, and personal development. We anticipate that the successful implementation of this project will result in enhanced academic performance, improved self-esteem, and the cultivation of leadership skills among the participants, ultimately contributing to the development of empowered, informed individuals capable of driving positive change in their communities.

We believe our initiative resonates with the mission of the Impact Makers Foundation to cultivate change and foster development in communities in need. The synergies between our goals create a mutual ground for collaboration, wherein we can collectively work towards the empowerment and upliftment of young girls, aiding them in transcending barriers and realizing their fullest potentials.

Our approach combines immersive learning experiences, mentorship programs, and interactive workshops. Each participant will be paired with a mentor to guide them through their journey, fostering a supportive, enriching environment. We anticipate the transformative impact of our program will not only be reflected in the improved academic and personal development of the participants but also in the positive ripple effects it will create within their communities.

The requested grant of $150,000  will be allocated judiciously to cover program development, educational materials, mentorship facilitation, and logistical expenses. We are committed to ensuring transparency, accountability, and optimal utilization of the funds to maximize the impact of the initiative.

We are excited about the prospect of collaborating with the Impact Makers Foundation to bring our shared vision to life. We believe that, together, we can ignite the spark of learning, leadership, and empowerment in the hearts of young girls, creating a wave of positive change that will echo through generations.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude for considering our application and are open to providing any additional information or clarifications required. We eagerly await the opportunity to discuss our proposal further and explore the possibilities of joining hands to make a lasting impact in the lives of the young girls who are the promise of our future.

Thank you for your time, consideration, and dedication to creating a world where every individual has the opportunity to thrive and make a difference.

Joy Martins

Executive Director

Girls Empower

Crafting an articulate and impactful grant application cover letter is truly an art form that combines clarity, coherence, precision, and a deep understanding of both the project at hand and the mission of the funding organization. From understanding the intrinsic purpose of the cover letter to meticulously tailoring the content and avoiding common pitfalls, each step in the process is crucial in constructing a compelling narrative that resonates with the grantors.

This comprehensive exploration has delved into the multifaceted approach required to master the art of writing grant application cover letters.

We’ve navigated through the essential components, the significance of tailoring the content, and the importance of avoiding typical missteps. The insights provided aim to empower individuals and organizations to create powerful, persuasive cover letters that align seamlessly with the values and objectives of funding bodies, thereby optimizing the chances of securing essential grant funding.

Remember, a well-crafted cover letter serves as the gateway to your project, reflecting its essence, its potential, and its alignment with the funder’s mission. It’s the strategic amalgamation of authenticity, alignment, clarity, and relevance that constructs a convincing, memorable narrative.

So, as you embark on your grant application journey, keep in mind the invaluable techniques and insights discussed, and approach the art of writing grant application cover letters with diligence, adaptability, and a profound sense of purpose.

Unlock Your Grant Success!

Join our  email list now  for exclusive grant-writing tips and unique grant opportunities delivered straight to your inbox.  Click here to Subscribe . Don’t miss out!

Elevate Your Grant Writing Game: Dive Deeper with Expert Resources!

If you’ve ever felt the rush of excitement upon spotting a potential grant opportunity, only to be met with the daunting challenge of crafting the perfect proposal, you’re not alone.

Grant writing is both an art and a science, and I’ve distilled years of expertise into a collection of resources tailored to guide you, whether you’re a nonprofit visionary, a rising freelancer, or a small business owner.

Handpicked Titles Just For You:

1.  Advanced Grant Writing for Nonprofits : Dive beyond the basics and navigate the intricate nuances to stand out.

2.  Becoming the Grant Guru:  Embrace your freelance journey with techniques and strategies that ensure success in the grant universe.

3.  Mastering Grant Writing:  Your nonprofit’s go-to guide for developing compelling proposals that captivate and convince.

4.  The Small Business’s Guide to Winning Grants : Tailored insights to ensure your business’s endeavors are backed by the right funding.

 Whether you’re taking your first steps in grant writing or seeking to refine your approach, there’s something in this collection for everyone.

Invest in your future now.  These titles are  available on Amazon, both in Kindle and paperback formats . Arm yourself with the knowledge to not just compete, but to excel.

Dive into a World of Grants Mastery  – Grab Your Copies on  Amazon

Fuel your passion, secure that funding, and bring your vision to life!

Work With Me: Elevate Your Nonprofit’s Grant Writing Game!

Hello passionate changemakers,

Does your nonprofit organization resonate with these challenges?

1. Feeling overwhelmed by the intricate maze of grant proposal writing?

2. Struggling to secure vital funding due to lackluster proposals?

3. Battling with limited in-house expertise to identify suitable grant opportunities?

4. Frustrated by not knowing how to articulate your mission effectively to potential funders?

If you nodded in agreement to any of these, you’re not alone. But here’s the good news: Together, we can change this narrative.

Why Partner With Me?

I bring to the table a unique blend of expertise and experience. As a seasoned Grant Writing Consultant, I’ve dedicated my career to mastering the art and science of grant writing. But beyond the knowledge, I carry a heartfelt passion for amplifying the impact of nonprofits like yours.

What I Offer:

1.  Grant Writing Training:  Let’s empower your team! Through comprehensive workshops, I’ll train your staff to craft compelling proposals that captivate, convince, and convert.

2.  Personalized Grant Proposal Writing:  Leverage my expertise to develop meticulously tailored proposals that reflect your organization’s vision, mission, and impact stories.

3.  Strategic Grant Research:  Don’t waste hours on unsuitable opportunities. With my deep industry insights, I’ll help identify grants that align with your objectives and values.

4.  Report Development:  Secure future funding by showcasing your successes. I’ll help you design robust, engaging reports that keep funders connected to your cause.

Our Journey Together:

Our collaboration begins with understanding – diving deep into your organization’s ethos, the communities you serve, and the impact you wish to create. It’s a partnership where your dreams become mine, and together, we’ll weave narratives that resonate, inspire, and secure the resources you need.

Your work in the nonprofit sector is invaluable. Every program initiated, every life touched, every community transformed – it all starts with a well-written proposal that opens doors to necessary funding. Let me be that catalyst for you.

A Future of Possibilities:

Picture this: A future where your nonprofit isn’t just surviving, but thriving. A world where your initiatives are backed by ample funding, and your stories of impact echo in the hearts of donors and communities alike.

So, if you’re ready to ascend the ladder of grant writing success and fuel your organization’s mission with robust funding, I’m here, eager and ready.

Let’s co-create this success story.

Reach out today, and let’s set the stage for a brighter, impactful tomorrow.

Email Address:  [email protected]

Related Posts

Grants for Land Conservation

Grants for land conservation are a vital lifeline for preserving natural landscapes, ecosystems, and biodiversity. These financial resources support a wide range of activities, from purchasing land to protect it

Grants for Journalism

Grants for journalism are financial awards or funds provided to individuals, groups, or organizations to support the production of high-quality, public-interest journalism. These grants are essential for sustaining investigative reporting,

Grant Writing Academy is offering you full resources you need to win free money and boost your nonprofit impact.

No thanks, I’m not interested!

• Utility Menu

de5f0c5840276572324fc6e2ece1a882

• How to Use This Site
• Core Competencies
• Provide a Cover Letter

Consider including the following items when preparing a cover letter for your grant. 

Request a Specific Study Section

Be proactive in requesting assignment to a review team ( study section ) and institute (if applicable) and explain why.

Frame your request positively and explain the skills needed to review your application. When applying for an NIH grant, do not name specific people as potential reviewers. If you do, the people you requested will automatically be disqualified.

If the funding institution to which you are applying does not formally accept requests, make suggestions in your email when you submit your grant application.

Do: "This application focuses on defining the cortical mechanisms of chronic visceral pain through Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation. We would like to suggest reviewers with expertise in this technology and/or neuroplasticity despite the focus on chronic pancreatitis as the underlying cause of the pain."

Don't: "I would like to suggest Dr. X, who is an expert is neuroplasticity to be a reviewer."

List Disciplines

List the disciplines involved in your proposal to help with assignment to appropriate review teams ( study sections ).

List Approval Letters

List the  approval letters  that you have attached.

Indicate Non-Standard Time

Indicate if you are qualified to submit at a  non-standard time .

Indicate Funding Opportunity Announcement

Indicate if you are responding to a specific  Funding Opportunity Announcements  (FOA). A FOA is a document by which a federal agency or private institution makes known its intentions to award discretionary grants or cooperative agreements, usually as a result of competition for funds. 

(Related terms: RFA ,  PA )

Note Special Areas

Note  special areas . Special areas refer to any involvement of human subjects, select agents, genome-wide association studies or study data, or other areas with special requirements in your research proposal. Refer to your funding institution's guidelines for areas with special requirements.

Explain Overlapping Funding

Explain your plan for dealing with a  subaward  or other funding that overlaps with the grant proposal that you are submitting.

• Are You Ready?
• Know Your Audience
• Make an Impact
• Write Your Specific Aims Page
• Use Style Tips
• Format Your Grant
• Pre-Review Your Grant Application
• Consultations

The Ohio State University

• BuckeyeLink
• Find People
• Search Ohio State

CFAES COVID-19 Resources:    Safe and Healthy Buckeyes   |   COVID-19 Hub   |   CFAES Calendar

College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences

Search form

Letters of support, breadcrumb menu.

Support letters within the context of a grant application can be used to convey more than just an endorsement of a proposal. In general, these are portions of the proposal that often have no page restrictions and can actually reinforce attributes of the proposed work, team of investigators, mentorship and institutional resources/leadership. If you plan to include multiple letters of support with your proposal, it is recommended that you consider a different strong point to highlight for each letter. Very often, particularly for large proposals, a template can serve as a useful guide for letter writing. However, it is strongly recommended that each letter be customized to the specific proposal and letter signatory or it will defeat the purpose of providing such letters in the first place.

The basic outline of a letter of support

Identify the specific addressee — typically the project/program Principal Investigator, or identify the study section, council, granting agency by name. Avoid using "To Whom it May Concern." It is also helpful to use Re: to identify the funding announcement and title.

Opening Paragraph

• Writer's role/stature (Program Director, Department Chair, Co-Investigator, Dean) - what entity does the writer represent?
• To support the proposal or agree to participate (advisory board, preceptor, etc)
• To commit resources
• To provide cost share/matching funds
• Grant number (if available)
• Type of grant (center grant, training program, research proposal

Body Paragraph(s)

• Scientific plan/your own fit in the project, if participating/advisory board
• Proposal leadership
• Team of scientists/staff
• Mentorship (if applicable)
• Track record of publications or training of proposal PI
• Proposal aligns with organization strategic plan
• Leadership/faculty expertise
• Resources/facilities for the project
• Achievements that demonstrate high caliber
• If relevant, specifically outline commitment/match

Concluding Paragraph

Reiterate support for the proposal and briefly indicate how this will meet a larger goal (this is usually identified in the program announcement), such as improve patient care, train the next generation of biomedical scientist, bring jobs to Ohio, increase innovation and discovery, etc.

An official website of the United States government

The .gov means it’s official. Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

The site is secure. The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

• Publications
• Account settings

Preview improvements coming to the PMC website in October 2024. Learn More or Try it out now .

• Advanced Search
• Journal List
• PMC10250258

How to write a successful grant application: guidance provided by the European Society of Clinical Pharmacy

Anita e. weidmann.

1 Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Innsbruck University, Innsbruck, Austria

Cathal A. Cadogan

2 School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland

Daniela Fialová

3 Department of Social and Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové, Charles University, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic

4 Department of Geriatrics and Gerontology, 1st Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic

Ankie Hazen

5 Julius Centre for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands

Martin Henman

6 Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland

Monika Lutters

7 Kantonsspital Aarau, Aarau, Switzerland

Betul Okuyan

8 Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Marmara University, Istanbul, Turkey

Vibhu Paudyal

9 University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom

Francesca Wirth

10 Department of Pharmacy, University of Malta, Msida, Malta

Considering a rejection rate of 80–90%, the preparation of a research grant is often considered a daunting task since it is resource intensive and there is no guarantee of success, even for seasoned researchers. This commentary provides a summary of the key points a researcher needs to consider when writing a research grant proposal, outlining: (1) how to conceptualise the research idea; (2) how to find the right funding call; (3) the importance of planning; (4) how to write; (5) what to write, and (6) key questions for reflection during preparation. It attempts to explain the difficulties associated with finding calls in clinical pharmacy and advanced pharmacy practice, and how to overcome them. The commentary aims to assist all pharmacy practice and health services research colleagues new to the grant application process, as well as experienced researchers striving to improve their grant review scores. The guidance in this paper is part of ESCP’s commitment to stimulate “ innovative and high-quality research in all areas of clinical pharmacy ”.

Writing research grants is a central part of any good quality research. Once a detailed research proposal has been submitted, it is subjected to an expert peer review process. Such reviews are designed to reach a funding decision, with feedback provided to improve the study for this and any future submissions. Depending on the length of the proposal, complexity of the research and experience of the research team, a proposal can take between six to twelve months to write [ 1 ]. Ample time must be given to the writing of hypothesis/research aim, budgeting, discussion with colleagues and several rounds of feedback [ 2 ]. The draft research proposal should always be completed well before the deadline to allow for last minute delays. An application which is not fully developed should not be submitted since it will most likely be rejected [ 3 ].

Despite the large effort that goes into each grant application, success rates are low. Application success rates for Horizon 2020 were < 15% [ 4 ] and < 20% for the National Institute of Health (NIH) [ 5 – 8 ]. With these statistics in mind, it is evident that often repeated submissions are required before securing funding. Due to a paucity of specific clinical pharmacy grant awarding bodies, writing a grant application for a clinical pharmacy or pharmacy practice research project often involves multidisciplinary collaborations with other healthcare professions and focus on a specific patient population or condition. There is no guarantee of success when trying to secure funding for research. Even the most seasoned researchers will have applications rejected. The key is to never give up. This commentary provides useful pointers for the planning and execution of grant writing.

Conceptualising your research idea

Before writing a research grant proposal/application, consider what the research should achieve in the short, medium, and long term, and how the research goals will serve patients, science and society [ 9 , 10 ]. Practical implications of research, policy impact or positive impact on society and active patient/public involvement are highly valued by many research agencies as research should not be conducted “only for research”, serving the researchers’ interests. EU health policy and action strategies (CORDIS database) and other national strategies, such as national mental health strategy for grants within mental disorders, should be considered, as well as dissemination strategies, project deliverables, outcomes and lay public invitations to participate. The Science Community COMPASS has developed a useful “Message Box Tool” that can help in the identification of benefits and solutions, as well as the all-important “So What?” of the research [ 11 ]. Clearly determine what the lead researcher’s personal and professional strengths, expertise and past experiences are, and carefully select the research team to close these gaps [ 12 – 14 ].

How to find the right funding call

When trying to identify the right type of grant according to the research ambitions, one should be mindful that several types of grants exist, including small project grants (for equipment, imaging costs), personal fellowships (for salary costs, sometimes including project costs), project grants (for a combination of salary and project costs), programme grants (for comprehensive project costs and salary for several staff members), start-up grants and travel grants [ 15 ]. Types of grants include EU grants (e.g. Horizon, Norway Grant), commercial grants (e.g. healthcare agencies and insurance companies), New Health Program grants ideal for new, reimbursed clinical pharmacy service projects and national grants (e.g. FWF (Austria), ARRS (Slovenia), NKFIH (Hungary), NCN (Poland), FWO (Belgium), HRZZ (Croatia), GAČR (Czech Republic), SNSF (Switzerland), SSF (Sweden). It is worth remembering that early career researchers, normally within ten years of finishing a PhD, have a particular sub-category within most grants.

Many national agencies only have one “Pharmacy” category. This results in clinical pharmacy and advanced clinical pharmacy practice projects competing with pharmaceutical chemistry, pharmaceutical biology and pharmacy technology submissions, thereby reducing the success rate as these research areas can often be very advanced in most EU countries compared to clinical and advanced pharmacy practice. A second possible submission category is “Public Health”. Several essential factors can impact the grant selection, such as research field, budget capacity, leading researcher’s experience and bilateral grants. Examples of successful clinical pharmacy funded research studies can be found in the published literature [ 16 – 20 ].

Plan, plan, plan

One key element of successful grant writing is the ability to plan and organise time. In order to develop a realistic work plan and achieve milestones, it is imperative to note deadlines and to be well-informed about the details of what is required. The development of a table or Gantt Chart that notes milestones, outcomes and deliverables is useful [ 21 ].

All funders are quite specific about what they will and will not fund. Research your potential funders well in advance. It is vital to pay attention to the aims, ambitions and guidelines of the grant awarding bodies and focus your proposal accordingly. Submitting an application which does not adhere to the guidelines may lead to very early rejection. It is helpful to prepare the grant application in such a way that the reviewers can easily find the information they are looking for [ 15 , 22 ]. This includes checking the reviewers’ reports and adding “bolded” sentences into the application to allow immediate emphasis. Reviewers’ reports are often available on the agencies’ websites. It is extremely useful to read previously submitted and funded or rejected proposals to further help in the identification of what is required in each application. Most funding agencies publish a funded project list, and the ‘Centre for Open Science (COS) Database of Funded Research’ enables tracking of funding histories from leading agencies around the world [ 23 ]. Another useful recommendation is to talk to colleagues who have been successful when applying to that particular funder. Funding agency grant officers can provide advice on the suitability of the proposal and the application process.

It is important to pay particular attention to deadlines for the grant proposal and ensure that sufficient time is allocated for completion of all parts of the application, particularly those that are not fully within one’s own control, for example, gathering any required signatures/approvals. Funders will generally not review an application submitted beyond the deadline.

Lastly, it is important to obtain insight into the decision process of grants. Research applications are sent to several reviewers, who are either volunteers or receive a small compensation to judge the application on previously determined criteria. While the judging criteria may vary from funder to funder, the key considerations are:

• Is there a clear statement of the research aim(s)/research question(s)/research objective(s)?
• Is the proposed research “state-of-the-art” in its field and has all relevant literature been reviewed?
• Is the method likely to yield valid, reliable, trustworthy data to answer question 1.?
• If the answer to the second question is ’yes’, then what is the impact of financing this study on patient care, professional practice, society etc.?
• Is there sufficient confidence that the research team will deliver this study on time with expected quality outputs and on budget?
• Does the study provide value for money?

How to write

The key to good grant proposal writing is to be concise yet engaging. The use of colour and modern web-based tools such as #hashtags, webpage links, and links to YouTube presentations are becoming increasingly popular to improve the interest of a submission and facilitate a swift decision-making process. Ensure use of the exact section headings provided in the guidance, and use the keywords provided in the funding call documentation to reflect alignment with the funding bodies’ key interests. Attention to detail cannot be overstated; the quality and accuracy of the research proposal reflect the quality and accuracy of the research [ 24 ]. Try to adopt a clear, succinct, and simple writing style, making the grant easy to read. Having a clear focus can help to boost a grant to the top of a reviewer’s pile [ 25 , 26 ]. A clearly stated scientific question, hypothesis, and rationale are imperative. The reviewer should not have to work to understand the project [ 27 ]. Allow for plenty of time to incorporate feedback from trusted individuals with the appropriate expertise and consider having reviews for readability by non-experts.

What to write

Abstract, lay summary and background/rationale.

Take sufficient time to draft the scientific abstract and summary for the lay public. These should clearly state the long-term goal of the research, the aim and specific testable objectives, as well as the potential impact of the work. The research aim is a broad statement of research intent that sets out what the project hopes to achieve at the end. Research objectives are specific statements that define measurable outcomes of the project [ 28 , 29 ].

The lay summary is important for non-subject experts to quickly grasp the purpose and aims of the research. This is important in light of the increased emphasis on patient and public involvement in the design of the research. The abstract is often given little attention by the applicants, yet is essential. If reviewers have many applications to read, they may form a quick judgement when reading the abstract. The background should develop the argument for the study. It should flow and highlight the relevant literature and policy or society needs statements which support the argument, but at the same time must be balanced. It should focus on the need for the study at the local, national and international level, highlighting the knowledge gap the study addresses and what the proposed research adds. Ensure this section is well-referenced. The innovation section addresses the ‘‘So what?’’ question and should clearly explain how this research is important to develop an understanding in this field of practice and its potential impact. Will it change practice, or will it change the understanding of the disease process or its treatment? Will it generate new avenues for future scientific study? [ 30 ].

Hypothesis/aims and objectives

For the hypothesis, state the core idea of the grant in one or two sentences. It should be concise, and lead to testable specific aims. This section is fundamental; if it is unclear or poorly written, the reviewers may stop reading and reject the application. Do not attempt to make the aims overly complex. Well-written aims should be simply stated. Criteria such as PICO (population, intervention, comparison, outcomes) [ 31 ], and FINER (feasible, interesting, novel, ethical, relevant) [ 32 ], provide useful frameworks to help in writing aim(s), research question(s), objective(s) and hypotheses. Pay attention to the distinction between aim(s), research question(s), objective(s) and hypotheses. While it is tempting to want to claim that enormously complex problems can be solved in a single project, do not overreach. It is important to be realistic [ 25 ].

Experimental design, methods and expertise

The methodology is one of the most important parts of getting a grant proposal accepted. The reviewing board should be convinced that the relevant methodology is well within the research teams’ expertise. Any evidence of potential success, such as preliminary results or pilot studies strengthen the application significantly [ 33 ]. The methodology must relate directly to the aim. Structuring this section into specific activities/ set of activities that address each research question or objective should be considered. This clarifies how each question/ objective will be addressed. Each work-package should clearly define the title of the research question/objective to be addressed, the activities to be carried out including milestones and deliverables, and the overall duration of the proposed work-package. Deliverables should be presented in table format for ease of review. Each subsequent work-package should start once the previous one has been completed to provide a clear picture of timelines, milestones and deliverables which reflect stakeholder involvement and overall organisation of the proposed project. Using relevant EQUATOR Network reporting guidelines enhances the quality of detail included in the design [ 34 ]. Key elements of this methodology are detailed in Table  1 .

Summary of the key elements of the experimental design, methods and expertise

Proposed budget

The budget should be designed based on the needs of the project and the funding agency’s policies and instructions. Each aspect of the budget must be sufficiently justified to ensure accountability to the grant awarding body [ 35 ]. Costing and justification of the time of those involved, any equipment, consumables, travel, payment for participants, dissemination costs and other relevant costs are required. The funders will be looking for value for money and not necessarily a low-cost study. Ensure that the total budget is within the allocated funding frame.

Provide a breakdown of the key work packages and tasks to be completed, as well as an indication of the anticipated duration. Include a Gantt chart (A table detailing the most general project content milestones and activities) to demonstrate that all aspects of the proposal have been well thought through [ 21 ].

Critical appraisal, limitations, and impact of the proposed research

It is important to detail any strengths and limitations of the proposed project. Omitting these will present the reviewing board with sufficient grounds to reject the proposal [ 36 ]. Provide a clear statement about the short and long-term impact of the research [ 37 , 38 ]. The reviewers will pay particular attention to the differences the study can make and how potential impact aligns with the funding bodies goals as well as national policies. This statement is essential to make an informed decision whether or not to support the application. Useful diagrams summarise the different levels of impact [ 39 ].

Table  2 provides a summary of the key elements of project grants and key questions to ask oneself.

Summary of the key elements of project grants and key questions to ask oneself.

(Adapted from [ 5 ]: Koppelmann GH, Holloway JW. Successful grant writing. Paediatr Respir Rev. 2012; 13:63–66.)

Although the grant writing process is time-consuming and complex, support is widely available at each stage. It is important to involve colleagues and collaborators to improve the proposal as much as possible and invest time in the detailed planning and execution. Even if the grant is not awarded, do not be disheartened. Use the feedback for improvement and exercise resilience and persistence in pursuing your research ambition.

The guidance in this paper is part of ESCP’s commitment to stimulate “innovative and high-quality research in all areas of clinical pharmacy”. In a previous ESCP survey, it was found that few opportunities for collaboration (especially for grant applications) was one of the key barriers for members towards conducting research [ 40 ]. ESCP promotes networking, which is essential for multi-centre grant applications, both among ESCP members and with other organisations as it recognises the need for “multi-centre research in all areas of clinical pharmacy both within countries and between countries or differing healthcare delivery systems”. ESCP is planning to relaunch its own research grant which was paused during the pandemic, and it is also planning to provide ESCP members with information about the research grants offered by other organizations. ESCP is exploring partnering with other organisations to develop research proposals in areas of common interest and, in the near future, it will ask its members about their research priorities. Taken together, these initiatives will inform ESCP’s research strategy and help it to formulate policies to address the challenges its members face.

Acknowledgements

Research works of Assoc. Prof. Fialová were also supported by the institutional program Cooperation of the Faculty of Pharmacy, Charles University.

Open access funding provided by University of Innsbruck and Medical University of Innsbruck. This work was conducted without external funding.

Conflicts of interest

The authors have not disclosed any competing interests.

Publisher’s Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

The 2025-26 Competition is now open. Applications must be submitted by the national deadline of October 8, 2024 at 5pm ET.

Current U.S. Student

United States citizens who are currently enrolled in undergraduate or graduate degree programs are eligible to apply.If you are currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program at a U.S. college or university, you will apply through that institution, even if you are not currently a resident there. Find the Fulbright Program Adviser on your campus.

U.S. Citizen but not a Student

If you are a U.S. citizen, will hold a bachelor’s degree by the award start date, and do not have a Ph.D. degree, then you are eligible to apply. Non-enrolled applicants should have relatively limited professional experience in the fields (typically 7 years or less) in which they are applying. Candidates with more experience should consider applying for the Fulbright Scholar Program .

The Getting Started page will provide information on eligibility and next steps.

The Fulbright U.S. Student Program welcomes applications in the creative and performing arts. Arts candidates for the U.S. Student Program should have relatively limited professional experience in the fields (typically 7 years or less) in which they are applying. Artists with more experience should consider applying for the Fulbright Scholar Program .

Creative & Performing Arts projects fall under the Study/Research grant category and are available in all countries where Study/Research grants are offered.

U.S. Professor/Administrator

If you are a U.S. citizen and a professor or administrator at a U.S. institution and are interested in applying for a Fulbright Scholar Award, you will need to apply through fulbrightscholars.org .

To support your students in applying for a U.S. Student Program award, please connect with the Fulbright Program Adviser at your institution.

Non U.S. Citizens

If you are a non-U.S. citizen interested in applying for a Fulbright Award to the United States, you will need to apply through the Fulbright Commission or U.S. Embassy in your home country. Find out more information on the Fulbright Visiting Scholar Program or Fulbright Foreign Student Program .

• Getting Started
• Study/Research Awards
• English Teaching Assistant Awards
• Fulbright-National Geographic Award
• Critical Language Enhancement Award
• Fulbright-Fogarty Fellowships in Public Health
• Search for a Fulbright Program Adviser
• Award Search

Study/Research: Academic

• Study/Research: Creative & Performing Arts
• Fulbright-National Geographic
• Information Sessions
• Fulbright Online Application

Application Components: Academic Fields

All applicants must complete and submit their applications via the  Fulbright Online Application.  This is where you enter data, upload documents, and register your recommenders and foreign language evaluator. The following items comprise the components of the Academic application:

Biographical Data

The Personal and Contact Information pages of the application ask for your basic personal information, such as your name, contact information, birth date, etc.

• Complete all required fields: You should take care to accurately complete all of the required fields in these sections.
• Use proper capitalization and punctuation: This is a formal grant application, and you are advised to follow the English language rules on capitalization and punctuation. Do not enter responses in all caps. Be sure to proofread your responses in the PDF proof prior to submitting your application.

Program Information

On the Program Information page, you must include a Project Title and an Abstract/Summary of Proposal. These sections are a quick reference for screening committees and other reviewers. They should be able to determine the basic who, what, when, where, why and how of your project by reading this abstract. The project title should be informative, as well.

• Field of Study:  Select from the drop-down the most closely-related field for the proposed project.
• Project Title (90-character limit): A succinct title that clearly introduces the proposed project. This title will be listed in the Grantee Directory, should you be awarded a grant. 
• Abstract/Summary of the Proposal (1750-character limit): A concise description of the what, where, and why of the proposed project. If you are proposing the pursuit of a graduate degree program, summarize the program and relevance to your career/education plans․
• Host Country Engagement (1750-character limit): At its core, the Fulbright program aims to promote mutual understanding and seeks individuals who can be cultural ambassadors while living abroad. This section should offer a description of the ways in which you will engage with the host country outside of your grant activities to fulfill this mission. How do you plan to share your culture and values in your host community? Specific ideas should be included.
• Plans Upon Return to the U.S. (850-character limit): A brief description of your future career and/or educational plans following completion of the Fulbright grant.

Statement of Grant Purpose

This 2-page document outlines the Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How of what you are proposing for your Fulbright grant. If you are pursuing a research project, developing a strong, feasible and compelling project is the most important aspect of a successful Fulbright application.

The first step is to thoroughly read the award description for your selected award and host country to understand the type of grant you are allowed to propose (Independent Study/Research or Graduate Degree Enrollment). Depending on the country and award parameters, applicants may have the option to propose completing a graduate degree program. Some countries have specific arrangements or named awards for graduate study. In this case, applicants should focus on demonstrating the reasons for pursuing the proposed graduate program at a particular institution in the host country.

Whether you are applying for a research project or a degree program, the proposal should indicate a clear commitment to the host country community and a description of how you will engage with it.

Develop an intellectually compelling and feasible project: This is the most important factor in presenting a successful application. Program design will vary by country and award, and while some countries encourage applicants to incorporate coursework into a project, others prefer independent research. You should ensure that your proposed project fits the program guidelines for the host country and award.

For applicants proposing independent study/research projects , address the following points:

• With whom do you propose to work?
• What do you propose to do?
• What is innovative about the research? What will this research contribute to the field/discipline?
• What are the specific research goals and methodologies?
• What is important or significant about the project?
• What contribution will the project make toward the Fulbright goal of promoting cultural exchange and mutual understanding?
• When will you carry out the project? Include a feasible timeline.
• Where do you propose to conduct your study or research? Why did you choose this location?
• Why do you want to undertake this project?
• What are your qualifications for carrying out this project?
• Why does the project have to be conducted in the country of application?
• How will your project help further your academic or professional development?
• How will you engage with the host country community? Give specific ideas that relate to your own personal or professional interests.

Design a feasible project: You must demonstrate that your research strategy is viable, including its content, methodology, and time frame. Address the following points:

• How will the culture and politics of the host country impact the work?
• Will the resources of the host country support the project?
• Have you developed a connection with a potential adviser in the host country who has knowledge of the research topic and access to other appropriate contacts in the field?
• Do you have the necessary academic/field-specific background to undertake the proposed research?
• You should consider that, even if a country indicates that English will be sufficient for carrying out the proposed project, for purposes of engaging with your host community, at least a basic level of language skill should be obtained prior to leaving the United States for the host country.
• What are your plans for improving your language skills, if they are not adequate at the time of application?
• Are there any possible sensitive topics or feasibility concerns that the project could provoke?

For applicants proposing to enroll in graduate degree programs , address the following points:

• Why do you want to pursue the proposed program in the country to which you are applying?
• What are your reasons for selecting this particular institution?
• Do you have the requisite academic/field-specific background to gain admission to and undertake the proposed graduate degree program?
• Why do you want to gain a better understanding of the peoples and cultures of your host country? Please demonstrate specific ideas on how you will integrate into the host country community that relate to your own personal or professional interests.
• Do you have sufficient language skills to successfully complete the program, especially if the program is not taught in English?
• Do you have the flexibility and dynamism necessary for active involvement in the host country?

Candidates applying through U.S. institutions are urged to consult professors in their field of study or faculty members with experience in the host country, as well as their Fulbright Program Advisers, about the feasibility of their proposed projects. At-Large applicants should consult similarly qualified persons in their fields.

Crafting your proposal:

• Be clear and concise. The individuals reading the proposal want applicants to get to the point about the 'who, what, when, where, why, and how' of the project. Avoid discipline-specific jargon and ensure your application can be clearly understood by a general audience.
• Organize the statement carefully.
• Don't make reviewers search for information. We urge you to have several people read and critique your Statement of Grant Purpose, including a faculty adviser, a faculty member outside your discipline, a fellow student, and/or a colleague.

Adhere to the proper format:

• Length is limited to a maximum of two single-spaced pages. The application system will not allow documents longer than two pages to be uploaded.
• Do not include any bibliographies, publications, citations, etc., except those that will fit in the two-page limit. Citations are not required for your Statement of Grant Purpose.
• Use 1-inch margins and Times New Roman 12-point font.
• On line 1: Statement of Grant Purpose
• On line 2: Your Name, Host Country, and Field of Study
• On line 3: Your Project Title as it appears in the Program Information page
• On the second page of the Statement, enter the same information or just Last Name, Grant Purpose, Page 2.
• Do not include information in headers, footers or margins.
• Do not include links to websites or external files/materials. Adding any URLs to external websites may affect the eligibility of your application.

Affiliation Letter

For Study/Research Applicants, affiliation with an educational institution or other sponsoring entity in the host country is required , even if the grant project is primarily research, an artistic activity, or does not require enrollment in regular classes. All applicants are required to list a proposed affiliation, with some awards requiring a letter of affiliation to be submitted at the time of the application deadline. Please refer to the award description for specific requirements on which institutions or organizations can serve as an affiliate.

Failure to submit a letter of affiliation for an award which requires one at the national deadline may result in an application being deemed ineligible.

The affiliation letter should come from the institution and/or individual in the host country with whom you are proposing to work. It should be written in or translated to English, printed on official letterhead, and should be signed by the author (electric signatures are permitted).

Understand the affiliation requirements for the country to which you are applying: Affiliation arrangements vary by country and may not be required at the time of application. Carefully review the affiliation information provided in the award summary for your host country. All academic grantees must have an affiliation in the host country listed in their application, even if a letter is not required at the deadline.

Countries differ in the kinds of host affiliations that are acceptable. Examples of affiliations include universities, laboratories, libraries, non-governmental organizations, and so on. Pay special attention to the requirements in some countries to attend classes and/or affiliate with academic institutions. Proposing an affiliate that does not meet the requirements for your chosen award may affect the eligibility of your application.

Identify an appropriate affiliation for your project: The affiliation is your proposed host in the country to which you are applying. Fulbrighters have used a number of methods to contact potential hosts and solicit support for their projects. One primary method is to use the contacts and advisers that you already have. Ask current or former professors to put you in contact with the appropriate people in the host country. If the proposal contains a strong research component, you must have host country contacts that can support the research, provide access to required resources, and/or advise you during the grant period. It is your responsibility to identify, contact, and secure an affiliation from a potential adviser.

Potential avenues to identify an appropriate affiliation/host country adviser include:

• Faculty at your home campus.
• International students.
• Visiting Fulbright Professors in the U.S. or U.S. Fulbright Scholars who had grants to your host country. Directories are available here .
• Internet searches of faculty at potential host institutions with your interests, or organizations in the host country that work with issues related to your topic.
• Other U.S. academics with expertise in the location/subject matter of the proposed project.
• Contacts from previous experience abroad.
• Educational Advising sections of Embassies or Consulates of your potential host country.

Start early: Obtaining an affiliation letter from overseas can be a time-consuming process, and sufficient time must be given to receive signed affiliation letters before the application deadline. Late affiliation letters will not be accepted after the application deadline.

Request the Affiliation Letter: After identifying the appropriate host institution and the individual at that institution best suited to serve as an adviser for the proposed project, contact the potential adviser to determine if they are willing to write an affiliation letter. Before requesting the letter, you should provide the author with a copy of the Statement of Grant Purpose. The affiliation letter should indicate the author’s willingness to work with you on the intended project and it should speak to the feasibility and validity of what is being proposed. The letter should also indicate any additional resources or contacts that the adviser can provide to support the work.

• Scanned versions of the original hard-copy letters with hand-written signatures should be uploaded into the application. Letter writers can either send the original hard-copy letters or electronic copies to the applicants.
• Since affiliation letters are not confidential, you will upload the letter yourself into the online application system. Affiliation letters written in a foreign language must be translated into English and both the original letters and the English-language translations must be uploaded into the application. An ‘official’ translation of the letter is not required.
• Instructions on uploading letters of affiliation are available in the Fulbright online application system.  IIE will not accept any affiliation letters via email, fax, or mail.
• The affiliation letter must be printed on an institutional letterhead and must be signed by the author.
• Copies of email correspondence will not be accepted.
• Do not upload any documents other than a letter of affiliation to this field of the application. Uploading extraneous materials to this field may result in your application being deemed ineligible.

Personal Statement

The statement should be a 1 page narrative that provides a picture of yourself as an individual․ It should detail your personal history, family background, influences on your intellectual development, the educational, professional, and cultural opportunities  that you have (or have not) accessed, and the ways in which these experiences have affected you and your personal growth․ Include your special interests and abilities, career plans, and life goals, etc․ It should not be a list of facts already listed on the application or an elaboration of your Statement of Grant Purpose․ Rather, it should be but specifically related to you and your aspirations   as they relate to the specific Fulbright Program award to which you have applied․

                                 Do not repeat information from other parts of the application.

• Length is limited to a maximum of one single-spaced pages. The application system will not allow statements longer than one page to be uploaded.
• On line 1: Personal Statement
• Do not include information in headers, footers, or margins.

Foreign Language Forms

Language requirements vary by country, so before starting the application you should review the specific language proficiency requirements of your selected award. You must possess the necessary language skills to successfully complete the project you are proposing.

For programs where language skills are required , you must complete the Language Self Evaluation form within the application, and register an individual to complete the Foreign Language Evaluation Form. The Foreign Language Evaluation Form is completed by a professional language teacher, preferably a university professor. 

Submission of both the Language Self-Evaluation portion of the application and Foreign Language Evaluation form is mandatory, even if you have advanced skills or are a native speaker of the language. The application system will not allow the submission of an application if a required Foreign Language Evaluation form is not registered.  Failure to submit the required language forms may affect your eligibility.

For programs where language skills are r ecommended or not required , if you possess some language skills relevant to the host country or proposed project, you should complete the Language Self Evaluation and submit a Foreign Language Evaluation Form. It will be beneficial to have your language ability documented, even if it is not required for the award. Remember, even if a country indicates that English will be sufficient for carrying out the proposed project, for purposes of engaging with your host community, at least a basic level of language skill should be obtained prior to leaving the United States for the host country.

For programs in countries where English is one of the national languages, you do not need to submit any foreign language forms unless a foreign language is required for your project.

If language proficiency is not required for the award and you have little or no knowledge of the language relevant to the host country but plan to acquire proficiency prior to the start of the grant, you may discuss your plans in the Language Self Evaluation. In this case, you should not obtain a Foreign Language Evaluation.

For Commonly-Taught Languages : The Foreign Language Evaluation should be completed by a professional language teacher, preferably a university professor. The language evaluator cannot be related to the applicant.

For Less-Commonly-Taught Languages : If a professional language teacher is not readily available, a college-educated native-speaker of the language can be used. The language evaluator cannot be related to the applicant.

Provide your language evaluator with the Instructions for Foreign Language Evaluators . You can print these out and discuss them with the person completing the form.

If you wish to have the same person complete both a recommendation and a Foreign Language Evaluation, you will need to register the person once for the recommendation and once for the Foreign Language Evaluation. Please check with your evaluator/recommender to ensure they receive the correct forms. If your evaluator/recommender is having issues accessing the forms, please instruct them to email [email protected] for assistance.

Recommendations

You must submit three recommendation letters as part of the application. The authors should be the three individuals who can best speak to your ability to carry out the project being proposed; they should discuss your intellectual and professional preparation, and your ability to represent the U.S. abroad. You should provide the recommender with a copy of your Statement of Grant Purpose before requesting the recommendation letter. The recommendation letter should NOT simply be a character reference, as this will be of no value in assessing your ability to complete the proposed project.

• Recommenders cannot be related to you. Do not submit recommendations from a parent, sibling, or other relative.
• Provide reference writers with copies of the Statement of Grant Purpose and the Personal Statement so that they can write well-informed recommendation letters.
• It is common courtesy to give recommenders at least 4-5 weeks to complete the recommendation letters.. Confirm with your recommenders that they can submit your recommendation letters within this timeframe, and ahead of the national deadline.
• You must register the recommenders in the online application system so that they can upload their recommendation letters directly into the application. When available, it is preferred you register your recommenders using their professional or institutional email address. Let your recommenders/evaluators know that they should be expecting an email message with the following information in the header:
• From:  Fulbright U․S․Student Program ([email protected])
• Subject:  Fulbright Recommendation for [Your Name]
• Recommendations must remain confidential. Applicants cannot upload recommendation letters on behalf of their recommenders, and recommenders should not share their recommendations with applicants.
• Recommendation letters should be on institutional letterhead, signed by the authors, and then uploaded into the online application system. Digital signatures are also acceptable.
• Provide your recommenders with the Instructions for Study/Research Recommendation Writers
• All recommendations must be written in English. If the original recommendation letter is written in a language other than English there must be an official English translation. Because the recommendation letter is confidential, the translation cannot be done by the applicant. Both the original recommendation letter and the English-language translation must be uploaded into the Fulbright application as a single document.
• After the recommendation is submitted, it cannot be edited. However, if there is a significant error and the recommender agrees to submit a revised recommendation, the following process must be followed:
• The deadline to request a letter be un-submitted is Friday, October 4, 2024 at 5:00pm Eastern Time.
• The recommender sends an email from the registered email account to [email protected] to request that the recommendation be un-submitted.
• The email to [email protected] must include the applicant’s full name and country of application.
• The recommender will need to allow at least 48 hours for the request to be implemented.
• Once the recommendation is un-submitted, the recommender can edit the recommendation and resubmit.
• All recommendations must be submitted by the application deadline, Tuesday October 8, 2024 . Late recommendation submissions are not accepted  under any circumstances.
• If a recommendation letter needs to be removed from the application after being submitted, the recommender must send an email from the registered email account to [email protected] to request that the recommendation be deleted from the application.

Note: Applicants and Fulbright Program Advisers cannot request that a recommendation be un-submitted.

Applicants can follow the status of the recommendation (In progress, Submitted) from the Applicant Status Page. Additional instructions and details on the submission of recommendations are available in the online application system.

Transcripts

The Fulbright Program requires a complete academic record of your higher education. You must provide transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions from which you received degrees. Transcripts must also be submitted from other institutions where you studied and received credit for coursework.

You may submit documentation of certificates (e.g.: non-degree programs) only if relevant to your Fulbright Grant Purpose․ However, do not submit extraneous documents as they will not enhance your application․

Failure to submit any required transcripts will result in your application being declared ineligible.

• You must upload one unofficial academic transcript from each post-secondary institution from which you received (or expect to receive) a degree. Additional transcripts should be uploaded for coursework and grades not reflected on degree-granting transcripts.
• If a degree is still in progress, you may upload a copy that shows the most recently completed semester.
• Make sure that the document that you submit clearly shows your name, the name of the institution , and appears as an academic record that is organized chronologically--with course dates, titles, credits, and grades. Screenshots of online academic portals (e.g. a course schedule) will not be accepted․
• Graduate-level students who do not include undergraduate transcripts will be considered ineligible.
• Consult the Transcript Upload Instructions page for more detailed information.

Ethical Requirements

Applicants proposing research involving human beings or animals as research subjects should have their projects vetted by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) at their home institutions. Pending selection, grantees may also be required to obtain research clearance from the host country (where applicable). Strong letters of affiliation should include the host institution’s commitment to guiding the applicant through any in-country clearance processes.

At-Large applicants should conduct an individual ethics review ensuring that their proposed projects are consistent with ethical standards for research involving humans as research participants as outlined in the  National Guidelines for Human Subjects Research  (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Extramural Research, National Institutes of Health), and in the National Guidelines for Animal Welfare at the  National Institutes of Health’s Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare  or other applicable internationally recognized ethics guidance documents.

Human subjects research includes: 

• Clinical investigations (any experiment or study on one or more persons which involves a test product/article, whether a drug, treatment, procedure or device); 
• Social-behavioral studies which entail interaction with or observation of people, especially vulnerable populations (i.e., as minors, pregnant women, inmates, drug-users, the mentally impaired, displaced/refugee populations); and, 
• Basic scientific research to study the biology of animals, persons, or organs and specimens thereof. 

The most fundamental issues in studies involving human research subjects include: valid scientific questions and approaches; potential social value; favorable risk-benefit ratio; fair selection of study participants and an adequately administered informed consent process.

On the ‘Affiliation’ page of the application, applicants must note if their proposed project will involve activities that may require a license to practice and/or involve clinical training and/or patient care.

While IRB approval is not required at the time of application, individuals selected for grants must abide by all ethical requirements before commencing their research on human and/or animal subjects through a Fulbright award.

Study/Research Application Components Overview

Checklist For Academic Candidates

Download a PDF copy of the application checklist to use while you prepare your Fulbright application.

Starting The Application

• Contact the Fulbright Program Adviser at your school to discuss the campus application process and note any campus deadlines (pertains only to candidates applying through a U.S. institution).
• Carefully review the program summary for the country and award to which you are applying.
• Draft responses for the following required short answer questions: 1) Abstract/Summary of Proposal, 2) Host Country Engagement, 3) Plans Upon Return to the U.S.
• Draft a Statement of Grant Purpose that is feasible and culturally appropriate for the country of application.
• Identify a potential affiliation in the host country and make contact with an appropriate person there who might be able to serve as an adviser and who could write the Affiliation Letter for the Fulbright application. Provide the author of the affiliation letter with a copy of your Statement of Grant Purpose.
• If you are proposing a graduate degree program, review the admission requirements and application deadlines of the proposed host institution and program. Applicants proposing to pursue a graduate degree program must apply to the degree-granting program separate from their Fulbright application.
• Draft a Personal Statement that provides the screening committee members with a fuller picture of who you are and what has motivated you to pursue this Fulbright opportunity.
• Consult with professors and/or colleagues with background in the country to which you are applying or those who have expertise in the field of study of the proposed project.
• Solicit critiques on the draft Statement of Grant Purpose from professors, advisers, mentors, colleagues, etc., and make revisions as appropriate.
• Contact 3 individuals to write recommendations. These individuals should be those who can best speak to your ability to carry out the project being proposed. You should provide a copy of your Statement of Grant Purpose to each recommender. Allow enough time for the recommender to complete their recommendation before your institution’s campus deadline and/or national deadline.
• For candidates submitting Foreign Language Evaluations: Contact the professor or other professional foreign language instructor who will complete the Foreign Language Evaluation form for the application.
• Obtain transcripts from each post-secondary institution attended.

Before Submitting The Application

• Make any necessary revisions based on feedback from the Campus Interview Committee (pertains only to candidates applying through a U.S. institution).
• Check for typos—misspellings, capitalization errors, grammatical mistakes, etc.
• Make sure that all of the required fields on the Biographical Data pages have been filled in, including the Project Title and Abstract of Proposal sections.
• Check to make sure that the Statement of Grant Purpose, the Personal Statement, and the transcripts have been uploaded into the correct sections of the application.
• Confirm that recommenders and language evaluators are registered in the application system and have received the email link to complete the recommendation/evaluation. Applicants can submit their application before the recommendations/evaluations are submitted. After application submission and before the national deadline, applicants can log in to the application and resend email links.
• Preview the completed application in the Fulbright online application system by going to the Review page.
• Print a copy of the application for your records.

Grant Application: How to Write a Grant Cover Letter

Many students rely on educational grants. Getting one is a great accomplishment and an exceptional opportunity to graduate without debt. That’s why it’s important to understand which type of grant you can apply for and how to do it properly.

What Is a College or University Grant?

Grant is an option that allows you to study for free. What this means is that you don’t have to pay anything back even after graduating from college, as all of the costs will be covered by the Federal Government.

There is a significant difference between a college loan and college grant. A loan has to be paid back after graduation, and grant, in its turn, is non-repayable.

There are a lot of different grants that students can apply for, depending on the type of school program or specific conditions, such as low income, single motherhood, etc.

What to Do if You Want to Apply for a Grant?

If a student decides to apply for a grant, first of all, he or she has to conduct research on the preferred learning institutions and types of grants they offer. After that, one can start an application process which may vary for different learning institutions. For example, some colleges accept emails, others require letters. So, make sure to find out the procedure for the desired college or university.

Why should you write a letter?

Writing student grant application letters is a common practice in learning institutions. They represent information about:

• The applicants
• The programs they want to apply for
• The reasons for getting a grant

Learning institutions get a lot of applications each year. So, they have to decide which students deserve to receive a grant.

In your letter, you need to provide convincing arguments on why you deserve receiving the grant. You have a chance to explain your situation and provide reasons for a learning institution to pick you. If you’re not sure whether you can do that properly, you can always turn to a professional writing service for help.

How to Write a Request Letter for Grant

Many students ask “ How to write a grant proposal for education ?” and “What are the specifics of a request letter for a grant?” Like any other formal letter, this one has a similar structure:

• Contact information.
• Brief information about the program you want to apply for and why.
• An explanation of your current situation (for example, financial) and why you need a grant for studying in a particular learning institution.
• The showcase of your strongest arguments on why you deserve a grant.
• The complimentary close.

Keep in mind that this letter will be the first communication between you and the representatives of a learning institution. So you need to be specific but brief and explain your situation in a laconic and informative manner.

Such a letter is an essential part of your application, just like an application essay. Therefore, you should definitely check our tips on how to write a scholarship essay without struggling.

How to Write Letters for Your Grant Applications ?

To make the process of writing such a letter easier, we have prepared a sample grant request letter. Use it to provide your arguments and support your application for the grant.

Sample cover letter for proposal submission:

To: X [contact information] From: Y [contact information] Dear Dr. X My name is Y. Currently, I’m a student of [your high school]. I’m really interested in the [desired program] and the opportunities that your learning institution provides. I’m writing to ask you to consider me for [the name of the grant or scholarship program] award. You can find all the needed materials, such as transcripts, recommendation letter, and financial statements, enclosed. [Also add other evidence that you need to attach. For example, if you are a single mother or you are a veteran, etc.] Becoming a [type of professional] is my big dream that I work hard to make come true. [List your achievements in studying, participation in sports, community service or volunteering projects and any other facts that emphasize your strengths and diligence]. I would appreciate the opportunity to continue studying and get a degree that will allow me to make my contribution to [the sphere of your specialization]. Thank you for your time and consideration. I am looking forward to hearing from you soon! Best regards, [Your Full Name]

Related posts

• Event Website Publish a modern and mobile friendly event website.
• Registration & Payments Collect registrations & online payments for your event.
• Abstract Management Collect and manage all your abstract submissions.
• Peer Reviews Easily distribute and manage your peer reviews.
• Conference Program Effortlessly build & publish your event program.
• Virtual Poster Sessions Host engaging virtual poster sessions.
• Customer Success Stories
• Wall of Love ❤️

How to Write a Convincing Letter of Support for Grant

Published on 09 Nov 2022

Applying for a research grant is a daunting task. Between the main research proposal and all of the additional documents required, it can be overwhelming. While some people enlist the help of professional grant writers , many others turn to Google (which may be how you found our blog). 

In this article, the focus is on an important part of that grant application process: Requesting and writing letters of support.

If you’re seeking a letter of support or have been asked to write one, don’t leave it until the last minute. While it may seem like a simple, supporting document (pun intended), well-written proof from the right people can get a grant applicant those final few steps across the approval line.

What is a letter of support for a grant?

A letter of support is an important argument in favour of a research proposal. It lends credibility to a grant application in several ways:

• Provides a third-party testimonial that backs up the applicant’s claims and promises.
• Shows that other organizations or individuals believe in the research proposal.
• Gives examples of the writer’s commitment (i.e. money or resources) to the project.
• Demonstrates a genuine and enthusiastic collaboration between the involved parties.

This letter can be written by a variety of people. But, writers tend to fall into two categories: (1) partners providing monetary or in-kind support and (2) influential people or organizations that believe the research project is worthwhile. For example: An applicant may seek support from a partner organization, an outside business, another major funder of the research project, or key stakeholders (including community leaders and individuals who will be impacted). 

How to request a letter of support for a grant

If you’ve been asked by someone to write a letter of support, then you can skip to the next section. However, if you’re here because you’re applying for a grant that requires you to submit a letter of support (or several), this section is worth noting. 

How you request a letter of support makes a difference. So, whether you’re the principal investigator (PI) in an application or someone assisting them, here’s the steps you should take: 

• Make a list - In the academic world, as in any industry, it’s often about who you know. Even if you wish research could speak entirely for itself, you’ll have to reach out to at least one individual (more likely several) to get proof of support.
• Set up meetings - Explain your project in detail and ask if each person would be willing to write you a letter of support. Don’t just assume they will.
• Provide important information to include - If someone agrees to help, make it easier for them by highlighting the info they’ll need. This could include: a project summary, details of the funding agency, how the research supports the interests of the funder, and how the grant can help the writer or their organization.
• Discuss any disagreements - In the support request process, you may realize that your understanding of the collaboration is different from your collaborator’s understanding. Be sure to sort out any disagreements now so that you go into the grant proposal fully aligned.
• Give a reasonable timeline - Ensure that the person who is writing the letter is aware of when you’ll need it back to include it with your grant application. Be considerate of the writer’s schedule and give them at least 2-3 weeks to prepare the letter.

All grant applications have different requirements. So, before you begin requesting or writing a letter of support, review the funding agency’s guidelines first and foremost.

What is the difference between a letter of support and a letter of recommendation?

In the midst of a grant application, it can be easy to get your wires a little twisted on what’s what, especially when distinguishing between letters of recommendation vs. support. Some funders expect both, but most will be looking for the latter. To help you out:

A letter of recommendation… 

• Is primarily requested in scenarios related to career development (like applications to fellowships or other programs).
• Requires the writer to be familiar with an applicant's qualifications, but does not require them to be involved in the project.
• Is submitted separately from an application.

A letter of support…

• Demonstrates the writer’s commitment and role in the project.
• Requires the writer to be a significant contributor or stakeholder in the research.
• Is submitted as part of a grant application.

How to write a letter of support

A letter of support should include a few key sections. Here’s an in-order outline to use if you’re the writer (plus a few bonus tips to help with the writing process):

• Header - At the top of the letter, include your name, institution, and date of writing. This may already be included as part of an organizational letterhead (which you should use if you have one). Include the recipient’s name and contact information in the line below. The letter may be addressed to the reviewer at the funding agency or to the person applying for the grant.
• Salutation - How does the recipient of the letter prefer to be addressed? Include this at the start (e.g. “Dear Dr. Strange,” or “Dear Mrs. Robinson,”). Avoid using “To whom it may concern.”
• Opening statement - Introduce yourself (i.e. Who are you and why should the reader care?). State the intent of your letter clearly and succinctly. Highlight what you know about the project and the value you see in it.
• Key points of support - This is the main body of the letter. Justify why funding is needed for the research project and how it will benefit you and others. Emphasize your belief in the research and its results. Discuss expected outcomes and be clear on the kind of support that you will be providing to the project. Try to anticipate and address questions that the funding agency may have for you.
• Closing statement - Summarize your key points. Convince the reader of your enthusiasm for the project. If you’re addressing the letter to the applicant (instead of the funding agency), you may want to add a note here wishing them well in the application process.
• Sign off - End with a polite close (e.g. “Sincerely,”) and be sure to actually sign the letter. Include your full name and title below the signature space. Provide further personal contact details if you can’t be reached at the number/email on your organization's standard letterhead.

Even if it’s a good start, including all the sections above isn’t a surefire way to write a convincing letter of support. So, here’s a few other tips to help…

• Start with key talking points - Draft your first version of the letter in bullet points. With an outline of important information that you want to include. Then, sweep through and write the “real first draft” without having to worry about missing something.
• Watch that page count - Keep to a single page if possible (two maximum). It can be tempting to include everything you think is even slightly relevant. But, that will only drown out the most important parts. For reviewers reading through mountains of application material, shorter is definitely sweeter.
• Enlist some grammar help - Consider getting Grammarly (or a similar free software) to help carry some of the load of all that wordweaving and editing.
• Check (and double-check) grant requirements - Many funding agencies provide a list of rules for applications (like this helpful outline from the Canadian Institute of Health Research). So, whatever you’re applying for, be sure to review the preferences that have been highlighted by the funding provider.

Sample letters of support for an educational grant

There’s no single formula for a perfect letter of support. However, samples can give you a good place to start. Just don’t fall into the template trap! Advice from a collection of grant reviewers highlighted the importance of “unique letters that show the writer’s actual support.” So, draw inspiration from a few examples, then, use that to write something original.

For a straightforward template to help you visualize: APCCP created this simple document that presents a letter layout in a more visual way.

For more helpful tips on writing letters of support: Enago provides a list of suggestions, plus a letter of support template further on in the article.

For a bit of a laugh: Junee Community Network has an entertaining how-to outline that includes a sample letter on the topic of “Funding for Dragon Cages at Camelot Castle”.

Summary: What makes or breaks a letter of support?

Researchers face endless challenges in securing much-needed financial resources. A well-written letter of support goes a long way toward convincing funding agencies that a research proposal is worth taking a chance on.

At the end of the day, a great letter of support is to-the-point, personalized, and full of genuine enthusiasm for the writer’s participation and the potential research findings.

Now, what are you waiting for? Go on and get writing!

5 Best Event Registration Platforms for Your Next Conference

By having one software to organize registrations and submissions, a pediatric health center runs aro...

5 Essential Conference Apps for Your Event

In today’s digital age, the success of any conference hinges not just on the content and speakers bu...

• Exploring Your Interests
• Financial Literacy
• Interviewing
• Negotiating an Offer
• Résumé & Cover Letter Writing
• Applying to Graduate & Professional School
• Externships & Shadowing
• Fellowships
• Finding a Job
• Internships
• Volunteering
• Career Clothing Closet
• Internship Funding
• Interview Room Reservation
• Student Recruiting Policies & Guidelines
• Exploratory
• Arts, Media & Communications
• Business & Finance
• Education Professions +
• Government, Law & Policy
• Health Professions
• Science, Engineering & Sustainability
• Technology & Data
• Black, Indigenous & People of Color
• First Generation / Low Income Students
• International Students
• LGBTQ+ Students
• Religious Identities & Professions
• Students with Disabilities
• For Students
• For Faculty & Staff
• For Community Partners
• Community Partner Search
• Global Fellowships & Awards
• For Employers

Fulbright – Research Study & English Teaching Assistantship Grants

Location: International Experience Type: Nomination Based Fellowship Awards

• Share This: Share Fulbright – Research Study & English Teaching Assistantship Grants on Facebook Share Fulbright – Research Study & English Teaching Assistantship Grants on LinkedIn Share Fulbright – Research Study & English Teaching Assistantship Grants on X

Fulbright grants are awarded to college graduates for year-long international experiences, primarily in research, graduate school, or teaching English. Applicants choose one grant program and one country per application cycle and submit applications in the early fall for grants that commence the following summer, fall, or later. Recipients know if their applications are being advanced to the finalist stage by the end of January, with Fulbright grants typically awarded between March and May.

Eligibility: Below is a brief outline of the eligibility criteria for the Fulbright; all candidates should review the full list of eligibility criteria on the Fulbright website to ensure that they are eligible for the grant for which they are applying. Applicants must:

• Be U.S. citizens at the time of application. Permanent residents are not eligible.
• Hold a B.A. degree or the equivalent before the start of the grant.
• Be in good health
• View updated Videos & Tutorials and Information Sessions to learn more about the program and the application process.

Note: Fulbright/IIE opened the 2024-2025 grant year application process on April 1, 2023!

Ethical Guidelines: All applicants are expected to adhere to these ethical guidelines .

Intent to Apply Deadline: Friday, May 26, 2023: please complete the following online form to let Grinnell’s Fulbright Program Adviser, Ann Landstrom, know that you are planning to apply for a Fulbright Grant in the coming cycle and schedule an advising appointment with the adviser; we appreciate this courtesy communications to provide full advising support to each applicant. If you missed this deadline, contact Ann at [email protected]. These applications take considerable time, so do not delay in starting.

Intent to Apply URL: Fall 2023 Fulbright Inte n t to Apply

Commitment to Apply Deadline: Wednesday, August 16, 2023 – Must have met with Ann and be in progress with an application by this commitment date to submit an application on September 5. To commit you just need to tell Ann during an advising appointment!

Campus Deadline (for endorsement): Tuesday, September 5, 2023 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT; applicants must have completed the Fulbright online application and deliver paper copies of the required application materials to Ann Landstrom in the CLS (1103 Park Street); THIS DEADLINE IS NON-NEGOTIABLE.

Pre-Foundation Deadline: All students and alumni applying through Grinnell College must complete their final applications by Friday, October 6, 2023, at 8 a.m. Central Time. Applications must be completed in advance of the foundation deadline for the FPA to complete and upload Campus Committee Evaluations.

Foundation Deadline: Tuesday, October 10, 2023, at 5 p.m. Eastern Time

Grant URL: Fulbright U.S. Student Program

• Research/Study Grant Application Components
• English Teaching Assistant Application Components

Application URL: Fulbright U.S. Student Program Application Portal

Fulbright Application Campus Checklist :

• Fulbright Application Checklist, Fall 2023
• Fulbright Self-Evaluation, Fall 2023

About Fulbright Research/Study Grants

Research/Study Grants allow students to undertake a year of graduate study, research, and/or a combination of study and research at an academic institution in a different country. For graduating seniors, your plan should be a feasible research project and may include taking coursework. In addition, many countries offer one-year taught master’s programs that may be completed on a Fulbright. Research/Study Grant applicants should plan to obtain a letter of affiliation from someone at their host institution who will oversee and guide their fellowship year. Details of the grant duration, preferred topics, preferred candidates, affiliation requirements, grant benefits, language requirements, housing, additional stipends for dependents, and visa requirements are all determined on country-by-country bases. Potential applicants should review the  Country Summaries on the Fulbright website  to learn more about each individual country.

• View example applications from Research/Study Recipients (called Finalists in Fulbright world) and Alternates from the past several years . [Grinnell login required]

About English Teaching Assistantship Grants

English Teaching Assistantships (ETAs) are currently available in over 70 countries across all world regions. Depending on the country, ETAs may teach in elementary or secondary schools, universities, or language centers. They are usually placed outside of capital cities and live in university housing, apartments, and sometimes with host families. In a few countries, ETAs may also pursue a supplementary project—individual study, research, service project, etc—in addition to their teaching duties as time allows. Potential applicants should review the  Country Summaries on the Fulbright website  to learn more about each individual country.

• View example applications from English Teaching Assistantship Recipients (called Finalists in Fulbright world) and Alternates from the past several years . [Grinnell login required]

Fulbright Grant Benefits

Fulbright benefits are based on the cost of living in the host country (and thus vary by country). In general, though, Fulbright grant benefits include:

• Round-trip transportation to the host country;
• Maintenance for the academic year, based on living costs in the host country; and
• Limited health

Fulbright Grants  may  also include:

• Book and research allowances. (The allowance provides some funding for research, books, and/or supplies. Grantees with projects that require extensive research support, in-country travel, study materials, or equipment should explore additional funding from other sources to supplement the Fulbright funding.)
• Mid-term enrichment activities in many countries or world regions.
• Full or partial tuition
• Language study programs.
• Pre-departure and in-country orientation.

For more details on Fulbright benefits, please see the Fulbright benefits webpage .

A Special Note on Transcripts for Enrolled Candidates

By the on-campus deadline, please obtain your unofficial Grinnell transcript through Colleague on the Registrar’s Office GrinnellShare site and submit by scanning in and uploading as a .pdf in the Fulbright application portal .

If you have transcripts from other postsecondary institutions, please procure and submit official copies of those. Exception: If course titles, credits, and grades from your off- campus-study program show up on your unofficial Grinnell transcript, you do NOT need to procure a separate transcript from that program. Likewise for college- or university-level courses you may have transferred to Grinnell College: provide supplemental transcripts only if the details are absent from your Grinnell transcript. The Embark Online Application has a page from where you upload your transcript (or transcripts); it works in the same way as uploading your Statement of Grant Purpose and Personal Statement essays.

Attention Ninth-Semester Teaching Certification Students

Due to different schedules for academic years around the world, over a dozen countries allow you to start your Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship Grant in January (or later) of the year following your graduation from Grinnell.

At-Large Candidates

Grinnell College alumni are welcome and encouraged to apply through our enrolled candidate process; national statistics show that enrolled candidates win Fulbright awards at about twice the frequency as at-large candidates. If they so choose, however, alumni may instead apply as at-large candidates. In this case, they would skip all of the above steps and apply directly to Fulbright by the early October deadline; no on-campus evaluation is required.

Resources for Applicants

Fulbright applicants from Grinnell College will find the following materials to be helpful:

• Lana Katai, Your Place in it All, Recording, November 2023 (Lana Katai sharing international experiences during International Education Week, November 2023)
• Fulbright Webinar with Guest Speakers Andrea Baumgartel ’19 and Katie McDonald ’19 [Grinnell login required] (Please enjoy the recording through the end of Katie’s presentation. Ann’s audio became distorted following Katie’s last slide (33:35) and it is not pleasant to listen to. The PowerPoint slides provide the information she is discussing. Thank you.)
• PowerPoint Slides – Fulbright Webinar April 2020 [Grinnell login required]
• Watson Fellowship versus Fulbright Grants [Grinnell login required] : Unsure which to apply to? Check out this page of Q&A.
• Specific advice on writing Study/Research Grant application essays [Grinnell Login Required]
• Specific advice on writing ETA Grant application essays [Grinnell login required]
• General advice on writing personal statements [Grinnell login required]
• Advice from Joe Schall on writing personal statements [Grinnell login required]
• Specific advice on Fulbright letters of recommendation [Grinnell login required]
• Past grantee directory
• Competition statistics
• Council for International Education of Scholars website : Study/Research Grant applications may click “View the Fulbright Scholar Directory” to search for previous Fulbright recipients to or from their target country; helpful if you’re seeking an institution or individual from whom to acquire a letter of affiliation. On the page, select CONNECT and then SCHOLAR DIRECTORY.

Additional Considerations

What about grades? Generally, applicants to Study/Research Grants need to be more concerned with grades; for a research proposal or combined study/research proposal, I would recommend having a minimum GPA of 3.5, with excellent grades in your major and focal area for your Study/Research Grant application. Grades are important for these applications because (a) you must secure full letters of recommendation from faculty members or other researchers (and Fulbright letters are akin to letters for graduate school); and (b) you must seek and procure a letter of affiliation, and potential affiliators may very well ask to see a copy of your transcript before deciding whether they will support you. If you are applying for a master’s degree abroad, your grades should be even higher, since competition for these awards is very steep.

Grades are a bit less important for English Teaching Assistantship (ETA) Grant applicants. Please consult with the FPA if you are concerned about competitiveness markers and your specific situation.

And what about language ability? For Study/Research Grant applications, you must be able to carry out the work you propose – using language(s) of the host country however appropriate. In some cases you’ll need to compose written materials for your application in a host language; and in some cases you will interview (via Skype) in a host language. For ETA applications, you must meet or exceed the language requirements stated on the Fulbright country profile page.

Note that successful ETA applicants to countries in Western Europe (particularly France and Spain) must effectively be fluent – even though the Fulbright website calls only for two years of college study or its equivalent; the same goes for applicants to Latin America. (The reason is because you’ll be competing against students who’ve majored in French or Spanish.)

Note that the Fulbright U.S. Student Program welcomes applications from students and alumni who have previously spent time in the country to which they are applying for their Fulbright. (This policy differs from that for the Watson Fellowship; see this page that highlights additional differences ) [Grinnell login required]. But they have some limitations: Having studied abroad in the country is fine; currently residing in the country is not. If you’ve spent more than six months in the potential host country outside the context of being a student, you will be at a disadvantage. Finally, if you hold dual citizenship, read the details about eligibility vis-à-vis your target country before applying.