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Grant Application Cover Letter Template

What it's for
An NIH cover letter goes only to the Division of Receipt and Referral and the scientific review officer, not to peer reviewers. It is required for late or corrected applications submitted after the deadline, applications that will send video later, and some genomic data applications. Requests for a specific institute or study section now belong on the PHS Assignment Request Form instead.
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When to use it

  • Late applications, with the reason for lateness.
  • Changed or corrected applications submitted after the due date.
  • Applications that will submit video files after submission.
  • Optionally, to cite the specific RFA or PA, flag special issues, or explain a subaward active in only some years.

Template preview

Highlighted text is a placeholder to replace. The download has the same content, ready to edit.

Keep it to one page. Attach it as the cover letter file in your application. Reviewers do not see it.

[Date]

Division of Receipt and Referral Center for Scientific Review National Institutes of Health

Re: [Application title] Funding opportunity: [NOFO number and title] PD/PI: [Name], [Institution]

Dear Scientific Review Officer:

Please find enclosed our application entitled "[Application title]," submitted in response to [NOFO number]. [One or two sentences describing the project.]

[Include any that apply, and delete the rest:]

  • Late application: This application is submitted after the due date because [reason, consistent with NIH's late application policy].
  • Corrected application: This corrected application replaces the version submitted on [date] to address [error].
  • Video: We will submit [N] video files by [date], as permitted by the funding opportunity.
  • Subaward: The subaward to [Institution] is active only in Years [N to N] because [reason].
  • Special considerations: This application involves [human subjects / vertebrate animals / select agents] as described in the relevant sections.

    • Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, [Signature] [PD/PI name, title, contact information]

    Tips

    • Use the PHS Assignment Request Form, not the cover letter, to request an awarding institute, a study section, or reviewers to exclude.
    • Do not use the cover letter to argue the science. Only receipt and review staff read it.
    • Keep the title and NOFO number identical to the application forms.
    • For late applications, read NIH's late application policy first. Reasons such as a missed internal deadline are not accepted.

    Frequently asked questions

    Is a cover letter required for an NIH application?

    Only in specific cases: late applications, changed or corrected applications submitted after the deadline, applications sending video later, some genomic data applications, and continuous submissions. Otherwise it is optional.

    Who reads an NIH cover letter?

    Receipt and referral staff and the scientific review officer. Peer reviewers and program officers do not see it.

    Can I request a study section in the cover letter?

    No longer. NIH now asks applicants to use the PHS Assignment Request Form for institute, study section, and reviewer requests.

    How long should a grant cover letter be?

    One page is enough. State the title, funding opportunity, and the specific reason for the letter.

    Related terms
    SF-424 (R&R)Notice of Funding OpportunityResubmission (A1)
    Related tools and guides
    Grant letter of intent templateLetter of support templateProposal submission checklistAll templates
    Official sources

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