Read the funding notice first
Every opportunity has a notice of funding opportunity (NOFO). Before writing anything, find five things: who is eligible, the deadline and time zone, the award range, whether cost sharing is required, and how applications are scored.
Decide go or no-go
Be honest about fit. A strong match on eligibility, mission and capacity beats a long shot with a big award. If a forecast fits, use the extra time to prepare.
Build a timeline backwards
- Submission: aim several days before the deadline, since systems get busy.
- Internal review and sign-off.
- Budget and budget narrative.
- Project narrative, following the notice's headings.
- Letters of support and attachments.
Write to the scoring criteria
Reviewers score against published criteria. Use the same headings and answer each criterion directly, with evidence and numbers where you have them.
Submit and confirm
After submitting, watch for confirmation and validation emails. A submission isn't complete until it's validated by the system and the agency.
Find grants you can apply for
Free search of open and forecasted federal grants from Grants.gov.