The Research Development Unit within the Office of Research administratively supports large faculty teams in pursuing complex and high-priority research grant funding. Climate School and Lamont researchers may request support for center-level proposals of *$4M+.
The unit encourages researchers to review the support services available below and to submit a request at least 2 months in advance. With any additional questions, please contact us.
*the RDU team may support proposals of less than $4M depending on team bandwidth and proposal strategy.
SUPPORT SERVICES AVAILABLE
ADVICE & GUIDANCE
Drawing from our experience with over dozens of center grant proposals, we have gained valuable insights. The three most crucial lessons are detailed below.
Broader Impacts are a fundamental part of the mission of most funding agencies and seek to demonstrate how the proposed research will benefit society beyond the research community. Making broader impacts a priority is essential to demonstrate the relevance and importance of your research, to satisfy funding agency requirements, to increase the impact and visibility of your research, and to foster collaborations that can lead to innovative solutions to real-world problems.
A red team review is a peer review process where external experts evaluate a proposal. Proposal writers should do a red team review to identify weaknesses, improve the quality of the proposal, increase competitiveness, and gain perspective. The review can help identify unclear or incomplete sections, lack of alignment with the funding agency's priorities, and missing information. Overall, a red team review can increase the likelihood of success in securing funding.
The RFP outlines the specific requirements and guidelines for proposal submission. Following the RFP ensures that the proposal meets the expectations of the funding agency, addresses the priorities and goals of the funding opportunity, and increases competitiveness.
