Proposal Development Resources
Write Winning Research Proposals
There are a wealth of proposal development and grant writing resources available for Humanities faculty and researchers at the University of Utah. Check out the information provided below. If you need additional assistance developing and submitting proposals for your research projects, please contact the COH Office of Research. We can meet with you to discuss your needs, provide personalized guidance, and connect you with available resources. For more information, visit www.research.utah.edu/resources and uofuhealth.utah.edu/research/resources.
- Proposal Writing Guidance and Assistance:
- External Funding Opportunities:The VPR Research Writing Services Office offers proposal writing and editing services for all U faculty and researchers applying for any external funding. Submit requests at least 2 weeks in advance.
- Foundation Grants and Fellowships: The U’s Corporate & Foundation Relations (CFR) Team oversees grant and fellowship applications to national foundations. Our College’s Development Team manages funding request to local foundations. In both cases, contact them as early in the process as possible. They manage the university’s relationship with many of those funders and can provide invaluable insights, guidance, and connections. And, in some cases, certain foundations only accept U-affiliated applications through special calls.
- Federal Grants and Fellowships: Check out our university’s RED NSF Grant Writing Consultation, RED NIH Grant Writing Consultation, CTSI NIH Grant Peer Grant Review Program, and U Health Team Grant Support Program.
- Large-Scale Grant Applications:The VPR Large Infrastructure Funding Team (LIFT) offers grant writing support for center, program, and other large-scale interdisciplinary grants. Submit requests at least 12 weeks in advance.
- Budgets, Forms, Compliance, Submissions:Our College Grants Officer is available to assist with budgets, compliance requirements, institutional reviews and approvals, application forms, user accounts, and online submissions. Contact them as soon as you plan to apply for something but no later than 2 weeks before the application deadline.
- University Approvals for Applications: Certain applications must be submitted to the university’s Office of Sponsored Projects (OSP) one week before the funder’s deadline. This includes federal grant applications, projects involving human studies research, multi-institution submissions, and applications in which the organization (not the individual) is the official applicant. Our College Grants Officer can serve as your interface with OSP.
- General Grants and Fellowships: Check out the U’s Research Education online classes, including proposal preparation and submission (RED 401, RED 451, RED 900) and budget preparation and development (RED 359, RED 400). Also, the VPR Research Writing Services Office and the U’s Corporate & Foundation Relations (CFR) Team offer various trainings.
- National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH): Check out NEH’s pre-recorded virtual workshops covering various grant opportunities and application tips.
- National Institutes of Health (NIH): Check out NIH’s Guide to Grants and NIH's Tips Before You Submit, and our university’s RED NIH Grant Writing Training, CTSI NIH Grant Writing Group (sign-ups due in August, December, and April), and VPR NIH Grant Writing Cohort (sign-ups due in Spring).
- National Science Foundation (NSF): Check out NSF’s Getting Started Guide (including tips for preparing and submitting proposals) and our university’s RED NSF Grant Writing Training and VPR NSF Grant Writing Cohort (sign-ups due in April).
- Proposal Writing Guide (for fellowships and small-scale grants)
- The Grant Application Writer’s Workbook (NSF, NIH, USDA, etc.)
- Grant Writer’s Handbook (University of Cambridge)
- Federal Grant Writing Basics (Q&A’s and how to’s)
- Writing Proposals for Fellowship Competitions (Gillis article)
- How Your Grant Proposal Compares (Stone article)
- Why Academics Have a Hard Time Writing Good Grant Proposals (Porter article)
- U's Research Administration Quick References and Resources
- How to Determine if Funds are a Gift or Sponsored Project
- Foundation Funding Request Guidelines and Outlines
- How to Write a Personal Statement for a Fellowship Application
- How to Write a Career Narrative for a Fellowship Application
- How to Write a Professional Bio for Faculty Scholars/Researchers
- Tips for Publications List and Bibliography/Works Cited for Fellowship Applications
- Sample Outline for Fellowship Letter of Reference
- Sample Outline for Project Partner Letter of Support
- OSP Guidance for Requesting/Drafting Letters of Support
- U's Proposal Checklists and Templates for Federal Agencies
- Government Per Diem Rates for Travel Costs
- How to Get a Grant from NEH (overview of application and review processes)
- NEH Fellowship Sample Funded Narratives (halfway down page)
- NEH Summer Stipend Sample Funded Narratives (halfway down page)
- National Institutes of Health (NIH) Grant Application Guide
- National Institutes of Health (NIH) Sample Funded Applications
- National Science Foundation (NSF) Proposal Preparation Guide
This list is not exhaustive and may contain errors. Please let the COH Office of Research know of any needed corrections or useful updates. Thanks!