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H H S Department of Health and Human Services
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Health Resources and Services Administration

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Tips for Writing a Strong Grant Application

Before you can apply, your organization needs

  1. DUNS Number: Can be done in 1 day.
  2. Central Contractor Registry registration: If you have an Employer Identification Number (EIN), this will only take 5 to 7 days.
  3. Grants.gov registration: Can be as quick as 3 days or as long as 4 weeks. You need the DUNS and CCR to register.

Include DUNS Number. You must include a DUNS Number to have your application reviewed. Applications will not be reviewed without a DUNS number. Please include the DUNS number in the appropriate space on the application face page.

Keep your audience in mind. Reviewers will use only the information contained in the application to assess the application. Be sure the application and responses to the program requirements and expectations are complete and clearly written. Do not assume that reviewers are familiar with the applicant organization, service area, barriers to health care, or health care needs in your community. Keep the review criteria in mind when writing the application.

Start preparing the application early. Allow plenty of time to gather required information from various sources.

Follow the instructions in this guidance carefully. Place all information in the order requested in the guidance. Avoid the risk of having reviewers hunt through your application for information.

Be brief, concise, and clear. Make your points understandable. Provide accurate and honest information, including candid accounts of problems and realistic plans to address them. If any required information or data is omitted, explain why. Make sure the information provided in each table, chart, attachment, etc., is consistent with the proposal narrative and information in other tables. Your budget should reflect back to the proposed activities, and all forms should be filled in accurately and completely.

Be organized and logical. Many applications fail to receive a high score because the reviewers cannot follow the thought process of the applicant or because parts of the application do not fit together.

Be careful in the use of attachments. Do not use the attachments for information that is required in the body of the application. Be sure to cross-reference all tables and attachments to the appropriate text in the application. Be sure to upload the attachments in the order indicated in the forms.

Carefully proofread the application. Misspellings and grammatical errors will impede reviewers in understanding the application. Be sure that page limits are followed. Limit the use of abbreviations and acronyms, and define each one at its first use and periodically throughout application. Make sure you submit your application in final form, without markups.

Print out and carefully review an electronic application to ensure accuracy and completion. When submitting electronically, print out the application before submitting it to ensure appropriate formatting and adherence to page limit requirements. Check to ensure that all attachments are included before sending the application forward.

Ensure that all information is submitted at the same time. We will not consider additional information and/or materials submitted after your initial submission, nor will we accept e-mailed applications or supplemental materials once your application has been received.