This page provides tools for researchers applying to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for research funding. To begin, review this helpful overview of tips and resources for new applicants and the NIH grants website. Please use the additional resources below to help you design, write, and meet the requirements for proposals to the NIH.

Proposal Support by Funding Type

The buttons below will take you to a page with a checklist and templates based on the NIH  guidance for each component of a particular NIH grant mechanism. Use the templates to begin writing each element, and use the checklist to keep track of timing and what parties at UO are responsible for various pieces of an application.

Guidance & Resources

Research Development Services Training Videos

• How to Write a Specific Aims Page for the NIH - 2022 video (20 min): Watch this video to learn the art of writing the specific aims document for NIH grants, the most important component of your application. (Overview of Aims Video)
• Preparing Your First NIH Proposal - 2022 video (17 min): This video covers resources available through RDS and the NIH and essential grant writing tips for the NIH. (Overview of Prep Video)  

NIH Videos

The NIH has produced significant content on various elements of the agency, proposal preparation, and merit review. 

Conference Videos

• Fundamentals of the NIH Grant Process and Need to Know Resources (34 min): A walk-through of the NIH grants process and give you an overview of key resources and websites you will need to be successful. Timetable for Video (PowerPoint)
• Finding and Understanding Funding Opportunity Announcements (13 min): Learn about the different types of funding opportunity announcements (FOAs) including requests for applications, parent announcements, and program announcements; where to find them; and explore the sections of a sample FOA. Timetable for Video (PowerPoint) 
• Grant Writing for Success (25 min): Provides insights and helpful hints on preparing an application for submission. Learn how to avoid common mistakes in writing grant applications and correct typical misconceptions about the grant review process. Timetable for Video (PowerPoint) 
• NIH Peer Review: "Live" Mock Study Section (45 min): Models how a peer review meeting is conducted and goes over common questions asked by reviewers and mistakes by applicants. Timetable for Video 
• Understanding NRSA Fellowships & Training Grants (45 min): The administrative and financial aspects of National Research Services Awards (NRSA) fellowships and training grants. Timetable for Video (PowerPoint) 
• Understanding Career Development "K" Awards (43 min): Learn about "K" awards, which fund research training opportunities for scientists and clinicians at various stages of their careers. Timetable for Video (PowerPoint) 
• Understanding the New NIH Data Management and Sharing (DMS) Policy (87 min): Learn about the new requirements for providing data management plans for all NIH research applications. 

Brief Tutorials

• eRA Commons Overview (4 min): An overview of eRA Commons, the IT infrastructure for managing NIH grants. All applicants must have an eRA account before proposal submission.
• How to Get a User ID for eRA Commons (2 min): Highlights the steps an institutional official takes to create your account in eRA Commons. 
• NIH RePORTER Tool (5 min): Learn RePORTER database is a repository of all grant-funded projects funded by the NIH. (5 min)
• NIH Matchmaker (3 min): Learn about Matchmaker, an extension of the NIH RePorter system that makes it easy to find which Centers and Institutes have funded similar work to your proposed project and find the right program officers to contact before submitting your application. (3 min)
• A Walk-through of the PHS Human Subjects & Clinical Trials Information Form (6 min): A walk-through filling out the PHS Human Subjects and Clinical Trials form, which is used to collect detailed study-level information for the protocols including in NIH applications. (6 min)