8+ Sample Investigator Grant Proposal

What is an Investigator Grant Proposal?

An investigator grant proposal is a compelling research funding proposal document that comprises the major research project goals and objectives of a research investigator to seek grants for the development and execution of their research and development plans and research programs. It is a fundamental tool to encourage government agencies and private institutions to provide each scientist and researcher with a specific budget per year for a certain timeframe to fully support their research work during the beginning of the research and the receipt of sustained investigative research funding.

According to a statistical report, 75% of investigator grant seekers who submitted an application won an award while 94% of those with three to five grants obtained at least one. On the other hand, 98% of applicants had six or ten applications on hand.  New and early-stage investigators should be able to carefully prepare and plan a successful grant proposal so that they can request funding or investment in their research projects. That’s why developing an effective investigator grant proposal is helpful in facilitating the coverage of eligible expenses of the resources crucial to run the research programs.

Different Types of Investigator Grant Proposals

Investigators in medical research studies and other fields usually obtain information about people as they study, interpret or analyze the collected information. They also have certain roles and responsibilities, especially in the ethical treatment of human subjects. If you are one of the early-stage investigators in an institution, consider what type of investigator grant proposals and fundraising proposals you will use for your research project or research program. 

1. New Investigator Grant Program Proposal

A new investigator grant program proposal is a request for proposals for the implementation of a new investigator grant program which is a faculty-student collaborative research project. When preparing this document, define the basic information related to the grant program such as the RFP release date, proposal due date, award notification date, maximum award amount, and project duration. Include other important sections such as a brief description of the program, the latest proposal review criteria, and eligibility criteria. Add a bulleted list in the proposal review criteria section and inform the prospective grantees about the primary requirements. For example, the proposed research projects must be original, innovative, and feasible within the time and budget.

2. Investigator Grant Research Award Proposal

This document is used to call for grant applications for funds and give a special research award to the investigator. When you create an investigator grant research award proposal, explain the instructions for completing the application for a research award. Write an overview of the background and purpose of the institution’s research award. You may indicate in the proposal that the purpose of the research award is to provide funding for research projects that will contribute to the further development of the principal investigator’s research career. Add some details about the funding, deadlines, applicant criteria, and format requirements.

3. Doctoral New Investigator Research Grant Proposal

A proposal for a doctoral new investigator research grant is an informative document that highlights the nature and scope of the research, funding criteria, eligibility, budget, terms, conditions, and guidelines. In the research scope, explain the purpose of the doctoral new investigator grants program. Let them know that the grants program is aimed at providing start-up funding for scientists and engineers who are within the first three years of their first academic appointment. In the funding criteria, make a bulleted list of the details including the overall quality, significance, and scientific merit of the proposed research and the qualifications of the principal investigator.

4. Investigator Associate Grant Fund Proposal 

Are you planning to announce the Associate Giving Grant Fund in your institution? An investigator associate grant fund proposal is a request for proposal or RFP or agency funding proposal document comprised of main goals and objectives, the process of request for proposal (RFP), and criteria for selection of successful grant applications. Also, outline the technical aspects of the new investigator grants such as the date of proposal submission, review, duration, and budget. In the review part of the proposal, explain how the scientific review committee will evaluate and review all grant applications based on their feasibility, scientific merit, and potential for future funding. 

Basic Components of an Investigator Grant Proposal 

The Center for Collective Philanthropy stated in their report that 32% of foundation leader respondents say their foundation provides general operating support, 18% of some foundation leaders provide capacity-building or organizational effectiveness grants, and other 29% offer assistance beyond the grant. If your research team needs to receive grant funding for your programs, define the basic components of your investigator grant proposal well.

Introduction/Executive Summary: One of the basic components of an investigator grant proposal is an introduction or executive summary. Cover the major elements of your grant proposal by writing a problem statement, the research purpose, research goals or objectives, and the significance of the proposed research project or program.Program Summary: Describe the program by highlighting the core mission of the institution. Explain the goal of the investigator grants program. Also, point out the importance of grant proposal writing to the readers of your proposal. Applicant Qualifications: Outline the key qualifications of the research applicants. For example, include in the qualification list that competitive applicants must have a previous record of research and publication and if the principal investigator is not based in the country where the research is to be performed, the proposal should have the support of at least one co-applicant situated in the country where the research will take place. Investigator Criteria: Construct a clear and detailed list of the investigator criteria. Briefly explain the importance of mission adherence, health study policy, application limits, resubmissions, budget, and duration.Application Process: Detail some events and tasks that happen in the investigator grant application process. For instance, add the date when the foundation or institution started using a new grant application and management software.

How to Write an Investigator Grant Proposal

Each principal investigator is accountable and responsible for the right conduct of the research project or program and the proper submission of all fundamental reports, plans, and proposals. If you are having some difficulties in writing an investigator grant proposal, there are eclectic investigator grant proposal templates and investment requests for proposal examples available online like on our website, Sample.net. Take note of the essential steps when preparing this document for your medical research work.

Step 1: Construct an Executive Summary

Every investigator grant should begin with a short executive summary. An executive summary is a brief and clear synopsis of the overall grant proposal. Introduce your research work, target audience, proposal, project goals, and grant request. Be straightforward and factual while including all sufficient information in this part. Provide adequate information and mention the funds you need. Briefly explain your research methodology as well. Also, tell the grantee some bits about your history, mission, and objectives.

Step 2: Write a Problem Statement or Needs Statement

Next, write a problem statement or statement of need. Identify the causes of the problem in your community and how you can provide the solution with your research work. Conduct extensive research on the history of the underlying issue, and previously implemented solutions that are failed, and point out why your solution will create a huge difference. Integrate comparable data in this section as you rely on the results of other communities that already executed your solution and had satisfactory results.

Step 3: Define your Goals, Objectives, Methods, Strategies

State your main goals, objectives, methods, and strategies. Consider defining your main goals as broad statements, while your objectives as more specific statements of intention with measurable outcomes and a certain timeline or SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable Realistic, and Time-bound). Outline your methods and strategies to allow your grantee to know how you plan on accomplishing your goals and objectives. The methods and strategies should be associated with the goals and objectives, and the needs statement. Be specific while explaining the methodologies.

Step 4: Describe the Process Evaluation and Eligibility Criteria

Clearly outline the evaluation and measurement methods so that both you and your funders will be aware of how the research program is doing. Indicate the evaluation tasks that you will do to track the progress of the research program. Also, include the eligibility criteria of the applicants or specific requirements they need to have before submitting their proposed research grant projects.

Step 5: Explain the Budget

Go into detail about the project budget for the research grant. Explain how your research investigation team will use the resources and provide full justification for all expenses. Pay attention to detail and don’t leave anything out. Always double-check the numbers indicated on the budget.

Step 6: Prepare the Final Investigator Grant Proposal

Set a schedule with your team to create the final draft of the grant proposal. Read the document and review for any possible grammatical and spelling errors. Make sure that you include all fundamental information. Proofread, edit and revise the document if necessary. Last but not the least, prepare the final investigator grant proposal.

FAQs

How to create a compelling grant research proposal?

Before you create a compelling grant research proposal, you need to identify your needs and think about the focus of your research project. When preparing your grant proposal, make sure to give readers what they want and follow all the general guidelines for the specific grant you want to apply for. Clarify the theoretical orientation of your project. Then, organize the basic elements of your grant proposal that include the title page, abstract, introduction, literature review, project narrative, personnel, budget spreadsheet, and timeline.

What are the common types of grants for nonprofits?

The common types of grants for nonprofits are competitive grants, continuation grants, pass-through grants, and formula grants. Competitive grants are provided for a nonprofit organization that submits a proposal reviewed by a team of evaluators based on criteria. Continuation grants are opportunities for a non-profit to allow the renewal of its previously awarded grant for a consecutive amount of time. Pass-through grants came from the federal government to allocate funding to state or local governments. Formula grants are non-competitive funds distributed to firms and organizations according to predetermined criteria.

What are some examples of an investigator grant proposal?

Some examples of an investigator grant proposal are a new investigator grant program proposal, an investigator grant research award proposal, a doctoral new investigator research grant proposal, a new investigator catalyst grant proposal, an investigator associate grant fund proposal, a brain research investigator grant proposal, and an investigator grant proposal application form.

Who qualifies as a new and early-stage investigator?

A program director or principal investigator who qualifies as a new and early-stage investigator must be someone who has not previously competed with success as a principal investigator for a substantial NIH independent research award and must be within 10 years of completing their terminal research degree or within 10 years of completing medical residency.

What are the basic components of a grant proposal?

The basic components of a grant proposal are a title page, cover letter, introduction or abstract or executive summary, background overview of the institution, problem statement or need statement, program goals and objectives, methodology or research implementation plan, research evaluation plan, and future funding or sustainability.

Many principal investigators accept grants for their research work to enable the external funding of their projects. They are responsible to support early-stage investigators in their journey to increase their research success rate and become established investigators. Whether you are writing a medical research investigator grant proposal or a research investigator team grant proposal, it is beneficial and efficient for your work if you use a simple and well-coordinated investigator grant proposal template. Access our website and download our sample investigator grant proposal templates here today such as investigator associate grant fund proposal templates, and investigator grant funding proposals.