Grant Fundingspecialist

The Grant Proposal Specialist will play a pivotal role in supporting faculty and research teams in securing funding to propel their initiatives, programs, and projects forward.

• Key Responsibilities:
• Proposal Development & Writing: Collaborate with faculty, researchers, and departmental staff to craft compelling grant proposals, including writing and editing narratives that effectively communicate the objectives, significance, methodology, and anticipated outcomes of research projects.
• Work with faculty and staff to define project goals, work plans, and budget justifications while aligning proposals with funding agency requirements and priorities.
• Craft clear, well-organized, and persuasive grant applications that address funding criteria for both federal and non-federal sponsors.

• Grant Strategy & Research:
• Conduct in-depth research to identify federal and non-federal funding opportunities that align with faculty/staff research and development interests and university goals.
• Provide guidance on the best funding strategies and agency-specific requirements to ensure competitive submissions.
• Stay up-to-date on the latest trends in funding opportunities and shifts in federal and non-federal agency priorities, particularly in STEM fields.

• Edit, proofread, and refine grant proposals to ensure clarity, consistency, and compliance with agency guidelines.
• Ensure all proposals are submitted on time, including managing deadlines and coordinating the review and approval process with faculty and administrators.
• Track proposal outcomes, manage feedback from funding agencies, and assist with necessary follow-up tasks.

• Review and ensure compliance with grant application guidelines and federal regulations, such as the Uniform Guidance and agency-specific policies.
• Assist faculty and researchers with ongoing reporting requirements after grants are awarded.

• Serve as the primary point of contact for faculty and researchers seeking external funding assistance, providing guidance and support throughout the grant writing process.
• Deliver training workshops and one-on-one consultations to faculty and staff on effective grant writing, funding strategies, and agency-specific requirements.
• Foster strong relationships with funding agencies, university departments, and other stakeholders to enhance the university's funding success.

Required Qualifications:

• Education: A bachelor's degree (required); a Master's degree or higher in a relevant field (e.g., English, Communications, Technical Writing, STEM, or a related discipline) is preferred.
• Experience: A minimum of 5 years of grant writing experience, preferably in a STEM academic or research setting.
• Proven Success: Proven success in developing competitive proposals for federal and non-federal agencies such as NSF, NIH, NASA, DOD, DOE, private foundations, and industry partners.

Skills:

• Exceptional technical writing and editing skills, with the ability to translate complex research ideas into clear, accessible, and compelling grant proposals.
• Strong oral communication skills, with the ability to articulate ideas and concepts effectively to diverse audiences.
• Highly detail-oriented with excellent organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously.
• Strong working knowledge of grant writing software, online submission platforms (e.g., Grants.gov, FastLane, Research.gov), and Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

Knowledge:

• Familiarity with federal and non-federal funding sources, including specific knowledge of STEM-focused research grants.
• Knowledge of the grant application process, including budget preparation, compliance, and reporting requirements.
• A solid understanding of research terminology and methodologies within STEM disciplines is highly desirable.