Success with Proposal Development—The Proposal Development Team (PDT)

Sessions:

TBD

This session will focus on the stages of proposal development, the components that make up a successful proposal, and the various services of the Office of Research & Engagement Proposal Development Team (PDT), which supports UT faculty as they transition through critical career stages to becoming an independent investigator. Faculty who meet the criteria for PDT assistance can draw on several services offered:

• Scheduling and organizational help tailored to specific solicitations
• Periodic meetings to keep proposals on schedule
• Editing
• External review comparable to sponsoring agency reviews
• Budget and supplementary documents support
• Graphics

Writing Successful Grants, Part I

Sessions:

TBD

The first in a two-part series, this introductory workshop covers basic principles of good grant writing, starting with the phrasing of a compelling research theme to the actual construction of the proposal itself. Special attention will be paid to the perspectives of grant reviewers and how to write in ways that will meet their expectations. Participants should also register for Part II (see below).

Writing Successful Grants, Part II

Sessions:

TBD

The second in a two-part series, this introductory workshop picks up where Part I leaves off, and continues the sequence of topics, covering basic principles of good grant writing, starting with the phrasing of a compelling research theme to the actual construction of the proposal itself. Special attention will be paid to the perspectives of grant reviewers and how to write in ways that will meet their expectations. NOTE: Participants may register for both parts at the same time, but must complete Part I before attending Part II.

Finding Funding

Sessions:

TBD

This hands-on workshop will focus on the use of powerful tools such as SciVal Funding, the Foundation Center, and Grants.gov. Search techniques for web sites of federal agencies will also be covered, with plenty of time for participants to practice their skills.

Building the NSF Grant Proposal

Sessions:

TBD

This workshop focuses on critical aspects of interacting with the agency as well as proven techniques for effective writing in each section of the NSF grant proposal. Samples from successful proposals are cited to illustrate key points.

Building the NIH Grant Proposal

Sessions:

TBD

This workshop focuses on key principles for effective writing in each major component of the proposal. Samples from successful proposals are cited, with special attention to a model R01 proposal, annotated by NIH staff.

Responsible Conduct of Research

NOTE: This workshop is an overview only and DOES NOT satisfy the Responsible Conduct of Research training requirement for NSF, NIH, and other federal agencies requiring RCR training. It also does not satisfy the RCR requirement for the Grant Writing Certificate.

Sessions:

TBD

Funding agencies are increasingly concerned that researchers attain basic skills in responsible conduct of research, adhering to guidelines and standards that reflect best practices by the scientific research community. To supplement the online courses currently available to UTK researchers, and using a case study approach, this workshop provides face-to face learning experiences on topics such as research ethics, conflict of interest, mentor/mentee relationships, research misconduct, responsible authorship, and the environmental and societal impacts of scientific research.

NSF CAREER Grants, Part I

Sessions:

TBD

This workshop presents an overview of CAREER’s purpose and structure, with emphasis on proposal requirements and review criteria. UT faculty who have recently won CAREER awards are featured, with emphasis on their grant writing strategies. Copies of their successful proposals will be made available. Attendees are also encouraged to register for NSF CAREER Award, Part 2, which offers a detailed focus on unique components of CAREER proposals that are critical for success (see below). NOTE: Registration is limited to faculty and final-year doctoral students only.

NSF CAREER Grants, Part II

Sessions:

TBD

CAREER proposals present unique challenges to grant writers, as they require three distinct components:

1. a strong scientific research design;
2. detailed description of creative teaching and learning activities over the course of the grant; and
3. a plan for the applicant’s long term career development.

This second CAREER workshop will provide detailed guidelines on building a successful CAREER proposal, with particular emphasis on plans for education and career development. Participants will examine excerpts from successful CAREER proposals and construct a template for their own applications. NOTE: Registration is limited to faculty and final-year doctoral students only.

Strategies for Success in Sponsored Research

Sessions:

TBD

For those with some experience in grant writing, this advanced session focuses on key strategies to assure success in sponsored research — assuring your proposal is a good fit with grant program goals; communicating with grant program officers; and evaluating proposals to understand what reviewers are looking for and how meet to those expectations.