Write your government grant narrative
Describe your project and desired outcomes. Get a complete narrative section formatted for Grants.gov federal applications.
Write your government grant narrative
River's Government Grant Narrative Writer creates complete narrative sections for federal grant applications on Grants.gov. You provide project details, target population, and expected outcomes. The AI generates comprehensive narrative responses addressing need, project design, capacity, and evaluation following federal grant requirements. You get professional narratives ready to paste into Grants.gov application forms.
Unlike basic templates, this tool writes complete responses addressing the specific evaluation criteria federal reviewers use to score applications. The AI structures narratives with clear logic, specific measurable objectives, evidence-based strategies, realistic timelines, and detailed evaluation plans. Federal grants are highly competitive and require precise, data-driven narratives that demonstrate your capacity to manage federal funds and achieve ambitious goals.
This tool is perfect for grant writers at nonprofits, schools, and community organizations applying for federal funding through Grants.gov. Use it when starting federal applications, responding to specific narrative prompts, or adapting successful applications for new opportunities. It works best when you provide detailed project plans, specific outcome metrics, and clear target population data. Government grants demand more rigor and detail than foundation proposals.
What Federal Grant Reviewers Evaluate
Federal grant reviewers score applications using published evaluation criteria, typically including need (15-20 points), quality of project design (30-40 points), organizational capacity (15-20 points), evaluation plan (15-20 points), and budget adequacy (10-15 points). Applications that do not directly address each criterion with specific evidence lose points. Reviewers are often volunteers who read dozens of applications. They appreciate clear, organized narratives that make criteria easy to identify and score. Use criterion headers, number your responses if multiple parts exist, and directly answer every question asked.
Strong federal narratives are data-driven and specific. Weak applications use vague language like 'many students struggle' while strong applications state '67% of students at our school read below grade level based on 2024 state assessment data.' Reviewers want evidence at every step: evidence of need, evidence your approach works (research base), evidence you can execute (past performance), and evidence you will measure results rigorously. Citations to peer-reviewed research strengthen project design sections. Specific numbers strengthen need statements and evaluation plans.
To write competitive federal narratives, read the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) thoroughly and address every priority, requirement, and criterion exactly as stated. Use the language from the NOFO in your responses. If the NOFO asks how you will 'ensure equity in program design,' use that exact phrase in your response header. Federal applications are compliance documents as much as persuasive narratives. You must demonstrate you understand and will follow all federal requirements, regulations, and reporting obligations. Be realistic about what you can accomplish with the funding and timeline. Overpromising is a red flag for reviewers who know federal grants require extensive reporting and accountability.
What You Get
Complete grant narrative addressing all standard criteria
Need statement with demographics and data
Project design with activities and timeline
Management plan and organizational capacity
Evaluation plan with measurable objectives
Federal grant formatting and structure
Evidence-based approach descriptions
How It Works
- 1Enter project detailsProvide grant program name, project description, outcomes, and target population
- 2AI writes narrativeGet complete federal grant narrative addressing all standard criteria in 10-15 minutes
- 3Customize for NOFOAdjust to match specific NOFO questions, criteria, and page limits
- 4Paste into Grants.govCopy narrative sections into application forms and submit
Frequently Asked Questions
Will this match the specific questions in my NOFO?
Not exactly. Every federal grant opportunity has unique questions and criteria in its Notice of Funding Opportunity. This generates a comprehensive narrative covering standard federal criteria like need, project design, capacity, and evaluation. You must restructure content to match your specific NOFO questions, add responses to unique requirements, cut content that does not apply, and adjust page length to meet limits. Use the generated content as raw material, not a final answer to your specific application.
How detailed should my project description input be?
Be as detailed as possible. Federal grants require specificity. Include what activities you will conduct, when they will occur, who will lead them, how many people will participate, what locations will be used, and what results you expect. The AI generates narrative based on what you provide. Vague input produces generic narrative. Detailed input produces specific, competitive narrative. If you have not planned your project thoroughly before writing, your application will show it.
Should I include research citations in my input?
Not required in input, but note any evidence-based models or research-backed strategies you plan to use. The AI will reference the importance of evidence-based approaches in your narrative. You should add specific citations to peer-reviewed research after generation. Federal reviewers want to see your approach is grounded in proven strategies, not experimental ideas. Search for research supporting your methodology and cite it explicitly in your final narrative.
What if I have never written a federal grant before?
This tool helps, but federal grants are complex. Consider finding a consultant or experienced grant writer to review your application before submission. The AI generates strong narrative structure, but federal applications also require extensive attachments, detailed budgets with justifications, letters of commitment, job descriptions, logic models, and compliance with numerous regulations. First-time applicants should find successful applications from previous years (often available through FOIA requests) to understand competitive applications in their grant program.
How long will the generated narrative be?
Approximately 3000-4000 words covering all standard sections. Most federal grants have page limits between 10-30 pages for narrative sections, depending on the program. You will likely need to cut content to fit your specific page limits or expand certain sections the NOFO weights heavily. Check your NOFO for exact page limits and point distributions across criteria. Allocate your page budget proportionally to point values.
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