Early in the process, talk to the program officer of the program you are submitting to – the following documents include tips on talking to program officers.
Can We Talk? Contacting Grant Program Officers – Research Management Review, Fall/Winter 2009 — includes an email template for contacting program officers
Talk to Program Officers – Early and Often – inReview, EHE Office of Research Newsletter, Spring 2018
What to Say – and Not Say – to Program Officers – Chronicle of Higher Education, March 28, 2012
Tips For Contacting A Program Officer 08192013 – Marquette University, August 2013
Advice for Meeting NSF Directors – Richard Nader
Questions to Ask Potential Funding Agencies – Lori Kaser