Research Development Toolbox

Find templates and links to federal agency requirements—all in one place. Use the resources below to get started on your proposal or double-check that your proposal meets agency guidelines.

Questions or suggestions? Use the Request Assistance button below to get in touch.



Frequently Used Guides, Forms, and Templates

Follow the quicklinks below to jump within this page to the agency of your choice.


Science Experts Network Curriculum Vitae (SciENcv)

SciENcv aids in creating biosketches for multiple federal agencies, including the National Institute of Health (NIH) and the National Science Foundation (NSF) formats. Use SciENcv to transform an existing biosketch from one format to another.


DOE: Department of Energy

DOE Data Management Plan Template (developed by OR)

The following is provided as a guide for the Data Management Plan section of your DOE proposal. Always refer to the specific funding opportunity announcement and DOE general application instructions when completing this template.


ED: Department of Education

  • Grant Application and Other Forms—provides links to PDF forms for information purposes only.  Applications are submitted to the Department of Education electronically.

EPA: Environmental Protection Agency

  • Key Grant Resources—includes resource links helping applicants and recipients find important information such as grants clauses, terms & conditions, and procedures

NEH: National Endowment for the Humanities


NIH: National Institutes of Health

  • How to Apply – Application Guide—Provides instructions to be used along with guidance in the funding opportunity for grant proposal submissions to NIH, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Food and Drug Administration, and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
  • Writing Your Application—provides general information and tips for providing a strong research application
  • Essential NIH Forms Directory—provides instructions and format pages required for applications, grants management and closing out awards

NIH Proposal Templates (developed by OR)

The following are provided as guides for specific required sections of your NIH proposal. Always refer to the specific funding opportunity announcement and NIH general application instructions when completing these templates.

NIH BioArt Source

NIH BioArt Source is a resource developed by the NIAID to provide a library of accurate scientific and medical visuals for use in figures, presentations, etc. The illustrations, icons, and visual elements are free to use and are available in raster and vector formats for a variety of applications.


NSF: National Science Foundation

NSF Proposal Templates (developed by OR)

The following are provided as guides for specific required sections of your NSF proposal. Always refer to the specific funding opportunity announcement and NSF general application instructions when completing these templates.


NIFA: National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA)

  • About Grants—provides links to information about the grants process, grant applications and management as well as funding opportunities and deadlines
  • Grants Application Guide—provides both general and NIFA-specific information and guidance for grant application preparation and submission
  • Application Support Templates