This semester’s research development workshops are designed to provide faculty members, research scientists, and postdocs with a high-level overview of the entire proposal writing process: searching for funding opportunities, planning the proposal, writing the proposal, and assessing and evaluating the broader impacts projects that arise from the funded proposal. Join us to learn more about these topics and more—including specific funding mechanisms, early career awards, graphics, and research development in the age of artificial intelligence. It promises to be an exciting semester, and we look forward to meeting and working with you!

This workshop will cover the first step of the funding process by giving participants insight into how to start a search, where to look, what to look for in a search, and how to prepare for the next steps. We will take a deep dive into Rice University's preferred funding database, Pivot-RP, as well as cover our internal limited submission system, InfoReady. The goal of this Lunch and Learn is to have attendees leave with the confidence and understanding to complete the entire process of conducting their own funding searches.

Speakers: Jalon Martin

This workshop will provide a high-level overview of the entire proposal writing process: refining the proposal idea, talking with the program manager, determining the fit with the agency’s mission, identifying the team, accessing campus resources, drafting the various sections of the proposal, vetting and editing the proposal, making the “go/no-go” decision, and understanding the review criteria and review process. Rather than focusing on a particular federal agency, the workshop will instead will cover general concepts that can be tailored to any federal proposal.

Speakers: Phyllis McBride

Learn various techniques for creating visuals using Blender, a free and open-source 3D program. This workshop will focus on creating procedural 3D models using geometry nodes. Participants will receive an overview of the basic components of 3D, such as polygons, normals, splines, and transformations. Building off these basic components, participants will learn how to create elaborate and descriptive designs and figures that can be used for graphical abstracts, proposal figures, and artwork.

Speakers: Mario Norton

New technologies have always impacted the ways we communicate — with our students, our colleagues, and even our research sponsors. While the current slate of AI-based platforms has promised to increase productivity across sectors, it raises complex questions around transparency, veracity, responsibility, and academic honesty. Tailored to sponsored researchers and grant seekers, this lively and informative discussion will put human beings in a room together to explore the promises and pitfalls of AI and clarify official policies governing its use (and misuse).

Speakers: Jonathan Meyer

Join panelists for a lively discussion and Q&A session on NIH, and particularly on its R01, R03, and R21 funding mechanisms. Learn the purpose of each of these popular mechanisms, when to use one mechanism over another, and how to approach each mechanism.

Speakers: Phyllis McBride

This session provides Early Career Rice faculty with an overview of the complex and competitive research funding opportunities sponsored by the Department of Defense (DOD) and the Department of Energy (DOE). Attendees will receive helpful tips for crafting impactful Early Career proposals that are well-aligned to these agencies’ priorities, and will learn how to navigate their vast network of branches and funding mechanisms. Opportunities covered include DOE’s Early Career Research Program and DOD’s various Young Investigator Programs.

Speakers: Jonathan Meyer

The two-phase ORD CAREER workshop is structured as a sequence of sessions that guide faculty from initial orientation through proposal submission. Part 1 of the program begins with an overview of the solicitation and proposal requirements, continues with a panel of previous CAREER awardees who share their experiences, and includes a session with representatives from Rice offices who outline resources for educational and broader impact activities.

Speakers: Tanya Karamchandani and Vasudha Bharadwaj

What do assessment and evaluation really mean and how can they strengthen your proposals and funded projects? In this interactive workshop, attendees will explore the difference between the two, why funders increasingly expect both, and how practical, right-sized approaches can support learning, adaptation, and impact. The session will also highlight how ORDS partners with research teams to provide assessment and evaluation support during proposal development and throughout the life of an award.

Speakers: Kimberly Leeks

The ORD partners with the OCFR for this session. We look at best practices in grantsmanship for a wide variety of funding opportunities, and the similarities and differences between federal agencies and foundations. The workshop-style session will walk you through how you can assess fit, think strategically, and prepare the most competitive proposals as you build your funding portfolio in a competitive environment.

Speakers: Vasudha Bharadwaj and Ted Walker (OCFR)

During Part 2 of the ORD CAREER workshop, participants will focus on drafting their Project Summary and Project Description, exchanging feedback with peers and receiving guidance from the workshop facilitators (two research development specialists from ORD). After the group sessions, each participant will be paired with an ORD/S specialist who provides one-on-one editing support and assists with arranging a mock review session with a team of colleagues, mentors, and other experts chosen by the CAREER applicant. This structure establishes a consistent process for moving faculty through learning, drafting, revising, and external review, while providing both group-based and individualized support to strengthen their CAREER proposals.

Speakers: Tanya Karamchandani and Vasudha Bharadwaj

Visit our website at research.rice.edu/ord/ and click the "Request Assistance" button to get started.

Our Office’s mission is to serve faculty researchers as you conceptualize, develop, and write your proposals to federal agencies and other entities to seek funding for your research projects.

We also strongly encourage faculty to register for Pivot-RP, a comprehensive online funding database that provides funding opportunities across all disciplines, allows users to save searches and track funding opportunities, and enables users to receive tailored funding recommendations and alerts.

This email was sent by the Office of Research Development
PO Box 1892 | Houston, TX 77251-1892 | 713-348-3499
Privacy Policy | Unsubscribe | Web View | Update Your Information