Proposal Development
Research Development offers a range of proposal development services to help faculty obtain research funding. We are happy to offer advice for any proposal and answer questions about any opportunity. For large or complex interdisciplinary proposals or those of strategic importance to Northwestern University, we provide additional proposal development support during the entire pre-award timeline – from identifying the funding call to team formation assistance and project management throughout the proposal submission period.
Each proposal is unique, and the services offered will be tailored according to the needs of the proposal team.
To enhance the effectiveness of our support for complex interdisciplinary proposals, we occasionally collaborate with an external consultant firm specializing in strategic positioning and proposal development. Please refer to the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the conditions, cost allocations, and process required to obtain this support.
MOU: Proposal Development Support from External Consultants
Our offerings include:
Project Management
- Develop a roles and responsibilities framework
- Set timelines and facilitate meetings for scientific team, administrative team, and outreach/education team
- Monitor progress and notify specific team members of any upcoming action items and deadlines. Coordinate team meetings, prepare an agenda, and write and disseminate meeting minutes.
Team Formation assistance
- Evaluate team composition and suggest experts or practitioners to fill gaps
- Connect to campus resources
- Identify partners for education and outreach
Proposal Components
- Provide a writer’s outline based on the FOA description, requirements, and sponsor evaluation criteria.
- Guide the conceptual development and writing of proposal elements such as vision, administrative core, management plan, education/outreach, workforce development, data management plan.
- Strategizes with PIs on conveying the overarching theme, strengths and weaknesses of proposal elements, overall integration of center components or partners, and incorporating feedback from reviewers.
- Conceive and draft organizational charts and tables to enhance grantsmanship
- Provide templates and drafts of non-technical supplement documents
Competitive Review
- Assess full application for responsiveness to solicitation
- Review across documents/sections for consistency and integration
- Coordinate Red Team review
Site Visit Support
- Coordinate presentation materials and practice sessions for Site Visit and Reverse Site Visit proposal reviews
- Coordinate facilities, refreshments, handouts, AV equipment, agendas, and organize a “mock” site visit rehearsal.