Work on streamlining has already begun. While some tips are more NEH-specific, most have universal applications. Call the program officer . This is good advice for dealing with any federal agency. If you have a great idea, contact the appropriate program officer for feedback and advice.
Most Web sites contain a breakdown of programs and program officers.
Pay particular attention to the review criteria that panelists must use. Grantwriters should also pay particular attention to program and format limitations. Panelists frown on proposals including requests for ineligible activities or budget items. Some funding agencies direct reviewers to ignore any pages of a proposal which exceed specified page limits, as well as any appendices that are not specifically allowed. NEH does not instruct panelists to to ignore additional pages, but the panelists do not like them.