A well-formed grant proposal is one that is carefully prepared, thoughtfully planned and concisely packaged. Resources and tools can be found on these pages to help SOM researchers develop applications from conceptualization to submission of the final proposal. These include sources for finding funding, links to funders’ announcements, sample proposals, templates, and how-to videos and best-practices articles.

In addition, the SOM Office of Research provides staff support for grant proposal development. The goal of this support is to enable researchers who are submitting grants (e.g., an NIH R01 or similar), to submit quality, competitive proposals. To maximize the effectiveness of support services, please request grant proposal assistance early in the planning process.

Contact Martha Brendel with questions or requests.

Proposal development services can help:

  • Identify potential funding opportunities

  • Develop checklist of required proposal documents

  • Create a timeline for proposal development with due dates for necessary milestones

  • Organize planning meetings with key collaborators

  • Provide templates, sample text and commonly requested documents and examples of administrative sections (e.g., Facilities and Other Resources)

  • Help with biosketch format and requirements

  • Respond to questions regarding compliance with MU and School of Medicine grant policies and regulations

  • Work with faculty to develop budgets and budget justification

  • Assist with grant application forms and assist with submission process

  • Edit text for consistency, correctness and compliance with agency guidelines

In addition to SOM proposal development support, investigative teams pursuing large or complex grants have access to the Strategic Proposal Development Service which is part of the MU Division of Research, Innovation & Impact (RII). The Strategic Proposal Development Service provides support for large, complex and strategically important grants. Services are coordinated with academic units and departments and are intended to be supplementary and complementary. Priority funding agencies include Department of Defense (DoD), National Institutes of Health (NIH) and National Science Foundation.

Proposal Development Resources

Presentations