Letter of Intent (LOI)
Definition
A brief preliminary document submitted to a funder before a full proposal, expressing interest in a funding opportunity and summarizing the proposed project to determine fit.
A Letter of Intent (LOI) — sometimes called a concept paper or pre-proposal — is a short document (typically 1–3 pages) that introduces your project idea to a funder before you submit a full application. LOIs serve different purposes depending on the funder: some use them to gauge the volume of applications, some use them to screen out misaligned projects before applicants invest time in a full proposal, and some make invitation-to-apply decisions based on LOIs. At NIH, a letter of intent is voluntary and non-binding. At many foundations, it is a required first step.
Types of LOIs
The term 'letter of intent' is used differently across funding contexts.
- Informational (NIH) — A voluntary, non-binding notification that you plan to submit. Helps the agency plan reviewer recruitment but does not affect review
- Required screening (foundations) — A mandatory first step. The foundation reviews LOIs and invites selected applicants to submit full proposals
- Competitive pre-proposal — Functionally a short proposal. Scored and ranked, with only top applicants invited to the full round
- Concept paper — A slightly longer format (3–5 pages) sometimes used by federal agencies for phased competitions
What to Include in an LOI
Even though LOIs are short, they need to communicate key information efficiently.
- Organizational overview — Who you are and your qualifications to do this work (2–3 sentences)
- Problem statement — The need or gap your project addresses
- Proposed approach — What you plan to do, briefly described
- Expected outcomes — What will change as a result of the project
- Alignment with funder — How your project fits the funder's priorities and program goals
- Budget estimate — A rough total amount requested (if required)
- Timeline — Approximate project duration
LOI Best Practices
Since LOIs are often the first impression a funder has of your work, clarity and concision are essential.
- Follow the format exactly — If the funder provides a template or structure, use it. Do not improvise
- Lead with impact — Open with the problem and why it matters, not your organization's history
- Mirror funder language — Use the terminology from the NOFO or funding guidelines in your LOI
- Be specific, not vague — 'We will train 200 teachers in rural Georgia' is stronger than 'we will improve education'
- Proofread rigorously — A short document with errors signals carelessness in a longer proposal
Related Topics
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