scientific-skills/research-grants/SKILL.md
Research grant writing is the process of developing competitive funding proposals for federal agencies and foundations. Master agency-specific requirements, review criteria, narrative structure, budget preparation, and compliance for NSF (National Science Foundation), NIH (National Institutes of Health), DOE (Department of Energy), DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency), and Taiwan's NSTC (National Science and Technology Council) submissions.
Critical Principle: Grants are persuasive documents that must simultaneously demonstrate scientific rigor, innovation, feasibility, and broader impact. Each agency has distinct priorities, review criteria, formatting requirements, and strategic goals that must be addressed.
This skill should be used when:
⚠️ MANDATORY: Every research grant proposal MUST include at least 1-2 AI-generated figures using the scientific-schematics skill.
This is not optional. Grant proposals without visual elements are incomplete and less competitive. Before finalizing any document:
How to generate figures:
How to generate schematics:
python scripts/generate_schematic.py "your diagram description" -o figures/output.png
The AI will automatically:
When to add schematics:
For detailed guidance on creating schematics, refer to the scientific-schematics skill documentation.
Mission: Promote the progress of science and advance national health, prosperity, and welfare
Key Features:
Mission: Enhance health, lengthen life, and reduce illness and disability
Key Features:
Mission: Ensure America's security and prosperity through energy, environmental, and nuclear challenges
Key Features:
Mission: Make pivotal investments in breakthrough technologies for national security
Key Features:
Mission: Advance scientific breakthrough, industrial application, and societal impact in Taiwan.
Key Features:
Every proposal needs a concise overview that communicates the essential elements of the research to both technical reviewers and program officers.
Purpose: Provide a standalone summary that captures the research vision, significance, and approach
Length:
Essential Elements:
Writing Strategy:
Common Mistakes to Avoid:
The core technical narrative that presents the research plan in detail.
Structure Varies by Agency:
NSF Project Description (typically 15 pages):
NIH Research Strategy (12 pages for R01):
DOE Project Narrative (varies):
DARPA Technical Volume (varies):
For detailed agency-specific guidance, refer to:
references/nsf_guidelines.mdreferences/nih_guidelines.mdreferences/doe_guidelines.mdreferences/darpa_guidelines.mdreferences/nstc_guidelines.mdClear, testable goals that structure the research plan.
NIH Specific Aims Page (1 page):
Structure for Each Aim:
Writing Strategy:
For detailed guidance, refer to references/specific_aims_guide.md.
Articulate the societal, educational, or translational value of the research.
NSF Broader Impacts (critical component, equal weight with Intellectual Merit):
NSF explicitly evaluates broader impacts. Address at least one of these areas:
Advancing discovery and understanding while promoting teaching, training, and learning
Broadening participation of underrepresented groups
Enhancing infrastructure for research and education
Broad dissemination to enhance scientific and technological understanding
Benefits to society
Writing Strategy for NSF Broader Impacts:
NIH Significance:
For detailed guidance, refer to references/broader_impacts.md.
Articulate what is novel, creative, and paradigm-shifting about the research.
Innovation Elements to Highlight:
Writing Strategy:
Common Mistakes:
Detailed description of how the research will be conducted.
Essential Components:
Writing Strategy:
For Experimental Research:
For Computational Research:
For Clinical or Translational Research:
Demonstrate that the research is achievable and the team is capable.
Purpose:
What to Include:
NIH Requirements:
NSF Approach:
Writing Strategy:
Demonstrate that the project is well-planned and achievable within the proposed timeframe.
Essential Elements:
Presentation Formats:
Writing Strategy:
DARPA Emphasis:
Demonstrate that the team has the expertise, experience, and resources to succeed.
Essential Elements:
Writing Strategy:
Biosketches / CVs:
Letters of Collaboration:
Develop realistic budgets that align with the proposed work and agency guidelines.
Budget Categories (typical):
Agency-Specific Considerations:
NSF:
NIH:
DOE:
DARPA:
Budget Justification Writing:
Understanding how proposals are evaluated is critical for writing competitive applications.
Intellectual Merit (primary):
Broader Impacts (equally important):
Additional Considerations:
Scored Criteria (1-9 scale, 1 = exceptional, 9 = poor):
Significance
Investigator(s)
Innovation
Approach
Environment
Additional Review Considerations (not scored but discussed):
Varies by program office, but generally includes:
DARPA-specific considerations:
Core Evaluation Dimensions:
For detailed review criteria, refer to references/nstc_guidelines.md.
Write for Multiple Audiences:
Strategies:
Build a Compelling Narrative:
Structure of Persuasion:
Language Choices:
Effective Use of Figures:
Design Principles:
Balance Innovation and Risk:
Common Concerns:
Ensure All Parts Align:
Avoid Contradictions:
Fellowship Mechanisms:
Introduction to Resubmission (1 page):
Strategies:
When Not to Resubmit:
NSF allows resubmission after revision:
Activities:
Outputs:
Activities:
Outputs:
Activities:
Outputs:
Activities:
Outputs:
Activities:
Outputs:
Critical Tip: Never wait until the deadline. Portals crash, files corrupt, and emergencies happen. Aim for 48 hours early.
This skill works effectively with:
This skill includes comprehensive reference files covering specific aspects of grant writing:
references/nsf_guidelines.md: NSF-specific requirements, formatting, and strategiesreferences/nih_guidelines.md: NIH mechanisms, review criteria, and submission requirementsreferences/doe_guidelines.md: DOE programs, emphasis areas, and application proceduresreferences/darpa_guidelines.md: DARPA BAAs, program offices, and proposal strategiesreferences/broader_impacts.md: Strategies for compelling broader impacts statementsreferences/specific_aims_guide.md: Writing effective specific aims pagesreferences/nstc_guidelines.md: NSTC-specific guidelines and review criteriaLoad these references as needed when working on specific aspects of grant writing.
assets/nsf_project_summary_template.md: NSF project summary structureassets/nih_specific_aims_template.md: NIH specific aims page templateassets/budget_justification_template.md: Budget justification structurescripts/generate_schematic.py: Generate scientific diagrams and schematicsFinal Note: Grant writing is both an art and a science. Success requires not only excellent research ideas but also clear communication, strategic positioning, and meticulous attention to detail. Start early, seek feedback, and remember that even the best researchers face rejection—persistence and revision are key to funding success.