How to Design Figures for Grant Proposals

In a competitive grant, reviewers form an impression fast. A strong central figure communicates your hypothesis and approach before they read a word of dense text — and it sticks in memory during the panel discussion. Figures in proposals do persuasive work that prose alone can't.

1. The overview / concept figure is your MVP

Most fundable proposals have one figure that captures the entire idea: the problem, your hypothesis, and how your aims address it. Invest the most effort here. It should be understandable in isolation, because some reviewers will look at it first.

2. Map figures to your specific aims

Reviewers navigate by aims. A diagram that shows how the aims connect — and how they don't all depend on one another — reassures them the project is feasible and de-risked. Use a consistent colour per aim throughout the proposal.

3. Make preliminary data unmissable

Preliminary results justify feasibility. Present them as clean, honest figures with clear axes, error bars, and sample sizes (avoid the misleading-chart traps). Annotate the key result directly on the figure so a skimming reviewer can't miss it.

4. Design for difficult viewing conditions

• Assume printing in black and white — make sure it still reads (use shape/pattern, not colour alone).
• Assume a tired reviewer on a laptop — large labels, high contrast.
• Assume a strict page limit — figures must earn their space and reduce, not add, total length.

5. Respect formatting rules

Funders specify margins, minimum font sizes inside figures, and sometimes resolution. Violating these can get a proposal returned unreviewed. Read the agency's formatting guidelines (NIH, ERC, DST, your national body) and follow them exactly.

6. Keep a consistent visual identity

Use one font, one palette, and one icon style across every figure so the proposal feels coherent and professional — see our guides to fonts and colour. Consistency signals rigour.

7. Get it right early

Draft the concept figure at the start of writing, not the night before submission. Building the figure often clarifies your own thinking — and gives co-investigators something concrete to critique.