Register early!! Only 35 seats are available for each in-person session. Only virtual sessions will be recorded. To register click HERE.
JULY 20th - 24th
MON: APPETIZERS & STARTERS
10am Virtual Session
Alphabet Soup: Learn how to strategically identify and pursue funding opportunities across federal, state, and foundation sponsors. This session goes beyond simply "where to look" by introducing tools like Pivot-RP and practical techniques for aligning your research with funder priorities. Participants will also explore how to use keywords and AI tools effectively to uncover relevant opportunities and refine their funding search approach.
2pm In-Person Session
First Bites: Gain clarity on the often-confusing landscape of funding mechanisms. This session breaks down common solicitation types (RFPs, BAAs, SBIR/STTR, and more.) Participants will also engage in a hands-on activity to build or enhance their Pivot profiles, positioning themselves for more targeted and efficient funding discovery. Please bring your computer!
TUE: LOCAL SOURCING
10am Virtual Session
The House Salad: Explore the full range of research development and support resources available at MSU. This session highlights how to leverage institutional assets, including ORD services, data repositories, evaluation units, and key campus partners, to strengthen proposals. Participants will also learn how tools like SciENcv and ORCID contribute to building a strong, funder-ready research profile.
2pm In-Person Session
The Secret Sauce: Move from awareness to application by developing essential supplemental proposal components. The interactive session provides guidance on preparing biosketches with SciENcv, data management plans, and other required documents, with an emphasis on aligning these materials with sponsor expectations and strengthening overall proposal competitiveness.
WED: CHEF'S PLATTER
10am Virtual Session
Reading the Menu: Learn how to deconstruct a funding solicitation and translate it into a clear plan for action. This session walks participants through identifying required proposal components, interpreting instructions, and building an organized checklist to streamline the submission process and reduce administrative burden.
2pm In-Person Session
Setting the Table: Strengthen your proposal development skills with a closer look at standard proposal structures, including R01-style submissions. This session also highlights common pitfalls and proposal weaknesses, providing practical strategies to improve clarity, alignment, and overall competitiveness.
THU: FUSION & PAIRINGS
10am Virtual Session
Fusion Cuisine: Discover strategies for building strong, collaborative, and interdisciplinary research teams. This session will also explore how to navigate collaborative mechanisms such as subawards, and letters of support and commitment. Participants will gain insight into positioning their work for multidisciplinary funding opportunities.
2pm In-Person Session
Mixing Flavors: Hear directly from MSU experts on what makes interdisciplinary teams successful. This session features perspectives on both team formation and communication, including how to effectively write for diverse reviewer audiences and convey the value of collaborative research.
FRI: COMPLIMENTARY DESSERT
9am-11am In-Person Event
Confections: Close out the week with an informal, in-person networking mixer at 301 Research Boulevard. Designed to connect faculty with key research support offices, including ORD, OSP, OTM and ORC, attendees can build relationships, ask questions, and gain a better understanding of the people and services that support their research success. Brunch included!
