Writing For SBIR/STTR Grant Applications

When it comes to securing funding from the National Institute of Health’s (NIH) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs, it's not just about having a great idea – it's about how well you can communicate that idea. The NIH imposes page limits on grant proposals, underscoring the importance of concise and precise writing. Additionally, strong writing helps NIH reviewers readily understand and efficiently evaluate proposals for federal funding. In this post, we'll delve into the power of writing style and approach, exploring how these can significantly impact the likelihood of obtaining vital federal grant funds.

The Importance of Style

Writing style matters, but too often when people think of writing style, they think of having literary flair or flowery language. This might be appropriate when reading for enjoyment, but NIH reviewers are tasked with scrutinizing your content and seeking a clear understanding of your project’s potential impact on healthcare and biomedical research. This requires a writing style that is easy to comprehend first and foremost.

Use precise and clear language

Word choices matter. Using concrete and specific language is better than using abstract  or vague language. For example, it might be tempting to write a problem statement like, “Our proposed medical device aims to enhance blood glucose monitoring for diabetic patients." However, a more precise version would be, "Our proposed medical device addresses the challenge of frequent blood glucose level fluctuations in diabetic patients, often leading to inaccurate readings and incorrect insulin dosages." Precise language and terminology has a limit, however. Making use of project or field specific language or jargon will likely increase confusion rather than provide precision. Make sure to be cautious with specialized language and the assumptions that NIH reviewers will be experts in precisely your knowledge area.

Be concise and complete

These may seem like contradictory style approaches, but they work well together. When writing your application, focus on writing as little as possible that explains all that needs to be explained. Overly redundant writing gets in the way of your message and is more likely to increase misunderstanding and confusion as your audience gets lost in the prose. Being concise does not meant cutting out connective thoughts or key explanations. If a calculation is necessary to understand your claims, make sure to show that work. If a key concept or process needs a thorough description in order to be understandable to someone outside of the project, give yourself the space to do that.  Avoid assuming prior knowledge on the part of your audience. Remember, while your reviewers are experts, they may not be familiar with the specifics of your project. Explicitly connect your ideas and employ descriptive language to ensure clarity, especially when explaining how your solution and innovation are interconnected.

At Blue Haven Grant Consultants, our business is your successful application for SBIR/STTR funding. As grant writers we possess extensive experience crafting concise, comprehensive, and compelling applications.  If you require assistance in communicating your groundbreaking idea effectively to secure the funding you deserve, our team is here to support you. Contact us for a free consultation to explore your SBIR/STTR application options.