Essential grant writing terms and definitions — from Specific Aims to F&A rates
A structured CV alternative required in NIH and NSF grant applications that highlights an investigator's qualifications, expertise, and contributions relevant to the proposed project.
A required criterion in NSF proposals that describes how the proposed research will benefit society beyond the immediate scientific community.
A narrative document that explains and defends each line item in a grant budget, showing reviewers why each cost is necessary, reasonable, and allowable.
The percentage rate applied to grant budgets to cover institutional overhead costs such as facilities, administration, and utilities that support but are not directly attributable to a specific project.
A brief preliminary document submitted to a funder before a full proposal, expressing interest in a funding opportunity and summarizing the proposed project to determine fit.
A visual framework that maps the relationship between a program's resources (inputs), activities, outputs, and intended outcomes, commonly required in nonprofit and federal grant proposals.
The official announcement published by a federal agency that describes a grant program's purpose, eligibility requirements, application instructions, review criteria, and deadlines.
The National Science Foundation's most prestigious award for early-career faculty, providing 5 years of funding to integrate research and education in a single, compelling proposal.
The NIH's original and most common research project grant mechanism, providing support for a defined research project over 3–5 years with budgets typically up to $500,000 per year in direct costs.
A one-page document that outlines the goals, hypotheses, and objectives of a research grant proposal, serving as the roadmap for the entire application.
GrantCopilot's Compass AI helps you apply grant writing best practices to your next proposal.
