How to use AI in Grant Writing

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming grant writing across industries, particularly for technology-driven companies, drug developers, energy innovators, defense contractors, and health systems. AI can automate labor-intensive tasks and improve the quality of grant proposals, but ethical considerations are critical to maintaining trust and credibility in highly regulated sectors.

Understanding AI’s Role in Grant Writing
AI offers powerful tools for grant professionals:

1. Research Assistance: Tools like ChatGPT streamline research into funding opportunities.
2. Proposal Drafting: AI can create drafts tailored to specific funding agencies, improving alignment with solicitation requirements.
3. Data Analysis: AI identifies trends in funding, competitive landscapes, and key performance metrics, guiding strategic decisions
   

Reminder: It is the grant professional’s responsibility to always verify the information generated by AI.

However, organizations in regulated industries must tread carefully, ensuring AI use adheres to
strict ethical and legal standards.

Key Ethical Principles for AI Use

1. Transparency: Disclose the role AI plays in the grant-writing process to maintain trust with funding agencies.
2. Accuracy: Validate AI-generated content to ensure it meets scientific, technical, or regulatory requirements.
3. Confidentiality: Use secure platforms, especially when handling proprietary or sensitive information.
4. Regulatory Compliance: Ensure AI tools meet industry standards and do not introduce compliance risks.

Source of these Guidelines: As of December 16, 2024, there are no laws in the US regulating the use of AI. However, there are several regulatory frameworks already being implemented in the US government (non national security and national security); for more information please see: https://ai.gov/. Additionally, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has created several efforts to lay out a framework for industry. Finally, industry itself, companies such as Google, Microsoft, and IBM have created their own self-managed guidelines, which are
also an important source of these guidelines.

Key AI Platforms for Advanced Industries

● ChatGPT: Assists with technical content creation and RFP responses.
● Tableau + AI Integration: Visualizes complex data for compelling proposals.
● Grammarly Business: Refines professional tone and technical accuracy.
● AI-powered CRMs: Tools like Salesforce Einstein help analyze donor and funding trends.
● DALL-E: Creates engaging visual aids to enhance proposals.

Looking Ahead

For industries driving technological and scientific innovation, AI can enhance grant writing by optimizing processes and improving proposal outcomes. Balancing this innovation with ethical practices ensures long-term success and alignment with organizational values.

What other AI platforms are you aware of, or use, that may be helpful to the grant industry? Please share with our audience through your comments!

Author Bio: G. Antonio Sosa-Pascual is the CEO of REOFTech, a company specializing in AI-driven
solutions for R&D funding acquisition in advanced industries. Contact at asosa@reoftech.com.

GPC Competency: 5. Knowledge of ethical practices related to grant acquisition and
administration