NIH
Concept
Paper
Template
A Concept Paper may address any or
all of these topics depending on how
far you have thought through your
project. The more information you can
provide a Program Official, the better
the advice you will receive in
developing your application.
4
Grant Purpose:
Briefly, relate the type of mechanism
(R01/R03/R43 etc), amount and duration of
the grant, and which
institutes/centers/agencies you think
might be interested in funding your
project.
Problem &
Significance:
Explain why the literature/your research
leads you to think this topic needs study.
Relate the payoff to science AND to public
health. Mention what makes your project
unique and innovative, especially in light
of any similar projects and the refereed
literature.
Question:
Derived from the scientific literature,
describe the theories and model(s) that
will guide your hypotheses, and specify
what hypotheses you will test.
Design &
Analysis:
Describe the population (age range,
gender, race, selective characteristics),
interventions, controls, measures, etc. that
will enable testing your hypotheses.
Estimate the required sample and power
(N, levels of analysis). Justify the statistical
approach that will ensure a fair test of your
hypotheses.
Team & Logistics:
Indicate how your career stage, expertise,
and experience qualify you to lead a
project of the size, scope, & technology
proposed. Name key collaborators (co-
investigators, consultants, and
organizations) who will help the project
succeed. Mention the organizations
whose cooperation you will need to access
subjects/data/equipment/field sites, and
indicate any people or organizations who
have agreed in writing to
participate/support the project.
Urgency:
If you are you trying to initiate work within
a time-sensitive window, indicate the
scientific and public health justification for
early award and the consequences of
delayed award.