Articles and resources on the following topics are available:

Developing an Elevator Pitch

• “Make Your Pitch Perfect: The Elevator Pitch,” a video presentation from Barclays, provides guidance on developing and delivering an elevator pitch.
• “The Best Elevator Pitch,” a video presentation by Science of People, describes how to use body language effectively in an elevator pitch.
• “The Art of the Elevator Pitch” from Harvard Business Review offers tips for selling an idea in one compelling sentence.
• “How to Write/Present Science: Baby-Werewolf-Silver Bullet,” a blog post by Andrew Hendry and Dan Bolnick, explains a metaphor that can help investigators articulate the importance of their work.
• Crafting a Sales Pitch for Your Grant Proposal- by Robert Porter at University of Tennessee

Grant Writing

• “Six Critical Questions to Launch a Successful Grant Proposal” by Robert Porter at University of Tennessee

• “Writing a Preproposal: Leave them wanting more” – by Karen M. Markin, The Chronicle of Higher Education

• “Debunking Some Myths About Grant Writing” by Kenneth T. Henson, Chronicle of Higher Education
• Grant Writing Tips (collection of resources, NIH)
• On Using Plain Language (NIH) - with examples
• Write Your Application (NIH)

• Proposal Writing Short Course—A self-paced online class by the GrantSpace that introduces key components of a proposal to a foundation.

• The Proposal Writer’s Guide (University of Michigan)
• “Guide for Writing a Funding Proposal” by S. Joseph Levine, Ph.D. at Michigan State University
• “On the Art of Writing Proposals” - Social Science Research Council

Interacting with Program Officers

• “What to Say – and Not Say – to Program Officers,” by Michael J. Spires, The Chronicle of Higher Education.
• “Can We Talk? Contacting Grant Program Officers,” by Robert Porter, Research Management Review.
• The “Guide for a Successful Visit to a Funding Agency” From the University of Nebraska Lincoln Office of Research and Economic Development.

Writing a Data Management Plan

• “Writing a Data Management Plan for your NSF Proposal,”  by James W Brunt, Long Term Ecologic Research Network.

• “Where Should You Keep Your Data?,” by Karen M. Markin, The Chronicle of Higher Education, describes the impetus for and formalization of federal funding agencies’ data management requirements.

• The Data Management Planning (DMP) Tool, hosted by Stanford University Libraries and the California Digital Library, is a free, interactive program that provides step-by-step guidance on developing a ready-to-use data management plan.

Program Evaluation

• The 2002 User-Friendly Handbook for Project Evaluation is a guide for investigators needing to develop basic evaluation plans for NSF-supported educational projects.
• Program Development and Evaluation from the University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension provides resources and guidance to help investigators plan, design, and evaluate programs.
• W.K. Kellogg Foundation Logic Model Development Guide

Grant Review

• Grant Review Process (collection of videos, NIH Center for Scientific Review)
• “What do Grant Reviewers Really Want, Anyway?”- by Robert Porter at Viginia Tech

Rigor and Reproducibility

• NIH Rigor and Reproducibility policy guidance
• NIH Rigor and Reproducibility Resource Chart
• Clarifications on Rigor and Reproducibility from NIH Deputy Director of Extramural Research Dr. Mike Lauer
  • Scientific Premise
  • Scientific Rigor
  • Consideration of Relevant Biological Variables
  • Authentication of Key Biological and/or Chemical Resources
• NIH Training Modules to Enhance Data Reproducibility

Additional Information

• Analyses of Various Agencies' Funding Priorities and History from the University of California
• Tools & Tips: How to Get Funding– a collection of articles in Science magazine
• Designing Science Presentations:  A Visual Guide to Figures, Papers, Slides, Posters, and More,by Matt Carter.  (see chapter 14 for advice on grant proposals)