# Research grant planning: fit, budget and timeline

Decision workbook and teaching example · 2026-10-06

The completed case is fictional. Its values and decisions are not actual findings; complete your project using relevant permissions, methods and requirements.

- Project: ____________________
- Researcher and role: ____________________
- Date and version: ____________________
- Data seen before the decision: ____________________
- Aim and scope: ____________________

## Completed example

| Stage/decision | Example | Check or action |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Fit | Aim aligned with the call | Are eligibility and limits clear? |
| Package | Activity, owner, output and timing | Are dependencies defined? |
| Budget | Cost linked to activity | Allowed and justified? |
| Risk | Approval or access delay | Is there a valid trigger and fallback? |
| Impact | Measurable bounded contribution | Are promises within capacity? |

## Complete your own record

| Topic | Actual decision and reason | Evidence link and status |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Fit | __________ | __________ |
| Package | __________ | __________ |
| Budget | __________ | __________ |
| Risk | __________ | __________ |
| Impact | __________ | __________ |

## Completion checks

- [ ] Prepare a project rationale, work packages, budget and risk log.

## Changes and limitations

| Date | Change | Data known at decision time | Reason | Consequence for claim | Reviewer |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| __________ | __________ | __________ | __________ | __________ | __________ |

## Sources and further reading

- [NIH — Plan to apply](https://grants.nih.gov/grants-process/plan-to-apply)
- [NIH — Write application](https://grants.nih.gov/grants-process/write-application)
- [MIT Libraries — Write a data management plan](https://libraries.mit.edu/data-management/plan/write/)

Related guide: https://didgar-research-site1.vercel.app/en/guides/grant-planning/