Apply by March 14th for Grant Writing Workshop in Spring 2022
WCU Faculty are invited to apply for a two and a half day Proposal Writing Workshop taking place May 11-13 to develop a grant proposal. Workshop leaders will be Dr. Joanna Downer, Associate Dean for Research Development at the Duke University School of Medicine, and Alison Krauss, Director of Resaerch Administration at WCU. Attendance is limited to 12 to offer maximum benefit to participants. There will be three mandatory pre-workshop virtual presentations prior to the May workshop; two of these will focus on the fundamentals of proposal development including creating an outline, drafting a concept paper and budget, and a third by Dr. Downer will convey grant-writing tips and strategies.
The workshop provides
- An intensive, creative, and safe working environment
- A live, in-person experience for real-time progress and feedback
- Work in an interdisciplinary group to improve your messaging
- Expert perspective on planning and crafting a compelling proposal
What you gain
- Insider information and writing tips from proposal development professionals
- individual feedback on your proposal , including follow-up consultation with Dr. Downer
- An opportunity to form a supportive cohort
To apply for the workshop, applicants will need to specify a funding opportunity/request for proposal and provide a CV/Biosketch along with any relevant materials such as a draft narrative, previously submitted proposal, reviewer comments, and/or concept paper. Application deadline is March 14th, 2022. APPLY NOW
If you need help finding funding opportunities, please use our RESOURCES or contact Alison Krauss or Nikki Jones in WCU's Office of Research Administration.
Joanna Downer, PhD, is Associate Dean and Director of Research Development at the Duke University
School of Medicine, leading an effort she launched as a one person shop in 2009 and
that is now 5 FTEs. Since 2009, she and her team have supported development of research
grant applications that have resulted in more than $795 million in awarded funds.
She previously worked in science writing and media relations, first at Duke Medicine,
then at Johns Hopkins Medicine. During Graduate school she was a Mass Media Fellow
of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, placed at Time Magazine
in Washington, DC. Joanna holds an MA and PhD in nuclear chemistry from Washington
University in St. Louis, and a BS with honors in chemistry from Carnegie Mellon University
in Pittsburgh, PA.
More information:
This Grant Writing Workshop is an intensive experience using a mix of didactic and hands-on learning, with time to apply what is learned and get real-time feedback. Both fundamental and advanced aspects of applying for external funding will be covered – everything from navigating WCU’s grant application processes and identifying sponsor requirements to aligning your ideas with sponsor priorities and crafting compelling arguments.
DURATION: 2.5 days, May 11-13, 2022; 9:00 am – 5:00 pm on Wednesday and Thursday, and 9:00-12:00 on Friday.
WHO: The Grant Writing Workshop is aimed at WCU faculty who need to write a grant proposal for external funding.
BEFORE THE WORKSHOP: Participants need to have identified a funding opportunity appropriate for their idea and have already captured some of their proposal ideas on paper. Three mandatory pre-workshop presentations will provide some basics on proposals and grant writing before we meet.
PRACTICALITIES: During the workshop participants will have internet access and must bring their own laptop. Days will include both didactic learning and hands-on work. In addition to receiving feedback from Dr. Downer and Ms. Krauss, participants will work both independently and in small groups to enable mutual feedback and benefit from interdisciplinary interaction. Lunch and coffee/tea will be provided.
