NIH page-limit matrix — every attachment, every activity code.
The NIH Table of Page Limits, rearranged so you can find your attachment in one line. SBIR/STTR rows (R41 · R42 · R43 · R44) are highlighted — that's who we build for.
The FOA / NOFO always supersedes this table. If Section IV of your funding opportunity specifies a different limit — shorter or longer — use that number, not this one. Page-limited attachments (Specific Aims, Research Strategy) generally may not use hyperlinks to circumvent the limit; reviewers are instructed to ignore off-page material.
- Specific Aims1 pageAll activity codes using the PHS 398 Research Plan form
- Research StrategySBIR/STTR6 pagesR03, R21, R36, R41, R43, Fellowships (F-series)
- Research StrategySBIR/STTR12 pagesR01, R15, R18, R33, R34, R42, R44, single-project U01, DP3, G-series, UH2/UH3, SC1, X01
- Commercialization PlanSBIR/STTR12 pagesR42, R44, SB1, U44, UB1 (SBIR/STTR Phase II and CRP)
- Introduction to Resubmission / Revision1 pageSingle-project applications (A1 resubmissions, competing revisions)
- Introduction to Resubmission / Revision3 pagesMulti-project applications
- Project Summary / Abstract30 linesAll activity codes
- Project Narrative3 sentencesAll activity codes
- Bibliography & References CitedNo limitAll activity codesReasonable, not exhaustive.
- Biographical Sketch (per person)5 pagesPD/PI, senior/key personnel, other significant contributors
- Facilities & Other ResourcesNo limitAll activity codes
- EquipmentNo limitAll activity codes
- Specific Aims1 pageAll activity codes using the PHS 398 Research Plan form
- Research Strategy6 pagesSBIR/STTRR03, R21, R36, R41, R43, Fellowships (F-series)
- Research Strategy12 pagesSBIR/STTRR01, R15, R18, R33, R34, R42, R44, single-project U01, DP3, G-series, UH2/UH3, SC1, X01
- Commercialization Plan12 pagesSBIR/STTRR42, R44, SB1, U44, UB1 (SBIR/STTR Phase II and CRP)
- Introduction to Resubmission / Revision1 pageSingle-project applications (A1 resubmissions, competing revisions)
- Introduction to Resubmission / Revision3 pagesMulti-project applications
- Project Summary / Abstract30 linesAll activity codes
- Project Narrative3 sentencesAll activity codes
- Bibliography & References CitedNo limitAll activity codesReasonable, not exhaustive.
- Biographical Sketch (per person)5 pagesPD/PI, senior/key personnel, other significant contributors
- Facilities & Other ResourcesNo limitAll activity codes
- EquipmentNo limitAll activity codes
- FontArial, Georgia, Helvetica, or Palatino Linotype. 11pt or larger. Symbols, equations, and figure legends may go to 9pt.
- Margins≥ 0.5 inches on every side, every page. No information in the margins, headers, or footers — reviewers see it clipped.
- Line spacingNo less than single-spaced. Standard is single or 1.15.
- ColumnsSingle column strongly encouraged. Two-column layouts often trigger accessibility flags.
- Page numbersDo not add page numbers to attachments — eRA Commons adds them at assembly.
- HyperlinksNot permitted in page-limited attachments except where explicitly allowed (e.g. required links in Data Management & Sharing Plan).
- Paper sizeUS Letter (8.5 × 11 in). A4 will fail check.
- File typeFlattened PDF. No scanned image PDFs — text must be selectable.
The authoritative NIH Table of Page Limits. Bookmark it; the agency updates it as activity codes evolve. When the NOFO and this table disagree, the NOFO wins.
Every formatting rule above is drawn from NIH's Format Attachments guidance. Violations at eRA assembly are hard stops, not warnings.