Training

The Office of Research Development (ORD) is offering a Spring 2019 workshop series covering a variety of topics important to researchers in their pursuit of external funding. Many of these workshops are addressed to early career faculty, while others are broadly relevant to faculty, staff, and graduate students.

Please read the following workshop descriptions and complete the embedded form below to register for individual workshop sessions. Advance registration is required. You may update your registration through this form after submitting it. For updates or weather-related changes, please see this page. Please RSVP to any of the workshops below. If you experience difficulty accessing or completing this form, contact Saul Allen in ORD at: saul.allen@maine.edu.

Early Career Research Funding: Overview

January 30, 10:00 a.m. 48 Stodder Hall and January 31, 3:30 p.m. 48 Stodder Hall

This workshop will cover funding opportunities that specifically target researchers who are in the early stages of their careers.  Staff from ORD will provide examples of private and federal programs that fund early career research. We will also cover how to identify the most promising opportunities and how to position your proposal for success.

Early Career Research Funding: NSF Early CAREER Program Part I. Basics

February 12, 3:00–4:30 p.m. 57 Stodder Hall

The National Science Foundation’s Early CAREER program is highly competitive and a valuable source of funding for UMaine faculty members.  Join staff from ORD to learn more about eligibility, grant-writing tips, how to work with program officers, and more.

Early Career Research Funding: DoD Young Investigator and NIH K Series

February 28, 3:00-4:30 p.m. 48 Stodder Hall

Highlights specific DoD and NIH early career opportunities and processes. Eligibility, proposal preparation strategies, developing quad charts and project pitches to program managers, and proposal development services available.

Foundation Funding

March 1, 10:00-11:30 a.m. 48 Stodder Hall

The philanthropic landscape spans more territory than government agencies. This workshop will give you the basic information you need to help diversify your funding portfolio. Learn about the differences between public, private, and corporate support, as well as emerging trends in the realm of private foundation grants. Practice navigating a searchable database for foundation funding, the Foundation Directory Online; discover the special role of the University of Maine Foundation in relationship building; and understand the expectations for exploring private foundation grant opportunities.

Early Career Research Funding: NSF Early CAREER Program Part II. View from the Trenches

March 13, 3:00-4:00 p.m. 48 Stodder

The National Science Foundation’s Early CAREER program is NSF’s most prestigious award to early career faculty and UMaine faculty have fared very well in the program.  Join colleagues to hear from UMaine faculty members who have received funding from this important program. Hear their perspectives on how to develop a five-year integrated research and education plan, craft a successful proposal, work with program officers, and more.

Project Management: Putting in Place the Pieces of Success

March 25, noon – 1:30 p.m. 48 Stodder Hall

Project management strategies to keep proposal development on track for success. Learn to use the project management tools embedded in funding portals, as well as the resources available through the university to ensure timely, complete submissions. Draft a sample project timeline and task list during the workshop while getting key questions addressed by the Office of Research Development

Project Evaluation

April 9, noon – 1:30 p.m. 48 Stodder Hall

Many funders now require applicants to describe an evaluation plan, often with an external evaluator, as part of their proposal.  How do you find an effective evaluator? How much will the services cost? What can you expect from her or him as part of the proposal development process?  What makes an evaluation plan effective? What are reviewers and program officers looking for? What is a logic model?

The First Formal Step Towards an Award (Introduction to Budgeting)

April 22, 3:00-4:30 p.m. 48 Stodder Hall

Start a proposal on the right foot by developing a working budget first. Make sure your project falls within the solicitation parameters. Learn to use the university’s budgeting tool – and how to translate project ideas into a viable budget, as well as crafting the associated detail, narrative or justification.

Broader Impacts

May 8, 3:00-4:30 p.m. 48 Stodder Hall

The National Science Foundation typically includes “broader impacts” as part of their merit review process.  What are they? How important are they? Who on campus can help? Join ORD staff to learn more about best practices, campus partners, and more.

Perspectives from Reviewers

May 30, noon – 1:30 p.m. 48 Stodder Hall

This ORD workshop will feature University of Maine faculty members who have served as external reviewers of proposals submitted to various agencies including the National Science Foundation. Each will share his or her experiences and tips, and answer questions from the audience.

Grants 101

In collaboration with Fogler Library, the Office of Research Development delivers quarterly grantwriting workshops to the UMaine research community and has trained over 325 faculty, staff, and graduate students to date.
A library guide related to grantsmanship created by librarian Jennifer Bonnet can be found on the Fogler Library website.
The Office of the Vice President for Research and Fogler Library are offering “Grants101: Seeking, Analyzing, and Writing Basics.” At the workshop, you will:
  • find grants in PIVOT
  • analyze an agency’s Request for Proposals
  • learn Grant Writing Basics

Location: Fogler library classroom

Upcoming dates: