Below is a list of resources to help enhance grant writing and proposal competitiveness. Please note that many available university services require several weeks’ notice for grant writing support. So plan ahead.
Washington University Grant Writing Resources
- The Office of Foundation Relations can provide assistance with writing grants to private foundations. Please contact them before approaching a private foundation directly about a funding opportunity.
- Washington University’s Federal Grants Library is available through the ICTS for investigators to view examples of successful proposals.
- A NIH Mock Study Section is offered by the ICTS twice per year to provide study section-like feedback to investigators on NIH R, K, and F grants before grant submission. Please note that you must register as a member of ICTS to participate.
- The Writing Center is a free service for all students, both graduate and undergraduate, currently enrolled at Washington University in St. Louis.
- The Research Development Office offers a review and editing service for grant proposals. This service reviews a variety of components in your proposal to make the project accessible and intriguing to reviewers.
- Inprint is a trainee-run scientific editing network and resource that provides free, confidential editing of scientific communications to the Washington University community.
School/Unit Specific Grant Writing Resources
Below is list of school-specific resources. Many schools and departments have additional personnel who can assist with grant writing. Check with your school for resources, or email Catherine Determan for referrals.
- The Engineering Communication Center assists Engineering graduate students, faculty, and alumni with written, oral, and graphic communications, including grant writing. For more information or to schedule an appointment, email ECC@seas.wustl.edu.
- Washington University’s School of Medicine Grant Writing & Review Matrix provides a summary of resources available to the School of Medicine community for grant writing support.
- The Institute of Clinical and Translational Sciences will provide grant writing support to investigators seeking to accelerate and augment the quality and impact of their clinical and translational science research.
- The Center for Humanities provides support to enhance the ability of Washington University Faculty to compete for external funding.
- The Brown School Communication Lab assists all Brown School students (social work, public health, social policy) students, faculty, and alumni with written, oral, and graphic communications, including grant writing. For more information or to schedule an appointment, email pcoogan@wustl.edu.
Fee-for-Service Grant Writing Resources
- Academic Publishing Services (APS) provides education and training in scientific writing and editing, manuscript publishing, grant proposal development, and oral presentation skills. For faculty who need individualized editorial services, APS manages an Editorial Services Directory of qualified freelance writers and editors who, for a fee, provide writing and editing assistance for manuscripts, book chapters, grant proposals, and other forms of written communication. For more information, send an email to Karen Dodson or call 314.362.4181. Grant writing classes are also offered periodically.
- External graphic designers or grant writers are available for a fee. Please email Catherine Determan for a list of potential external contractors.
Grant Writing Links
- NIH’s Grant Writing Tips Sheets
- Center for Scientific Review (Insights into writing for NIH)
- NIH’s Mock Study Section
- NSF’s Guide to Proposal Writing
- NSF’s Grant Reviewer Tells All
- Learn About Proposal Writing (The Foundation Center)
Many agencies provide tips and advice on grant writing. Check with the agency that you are applying to for web pages or documents on writing for that agency.