Developing and Funding Your Research

Thursdays (10/24/2024 through 11/14/2024) from 12-2pm PT via Zoom.

Registration Deadline: Tuesday 10/22

The first sessions provide tools for faculty to see their research enterprise as an enterprise, with concrete planning and visualization tools designed to help view the grant proposal in the context of your larger research goals. The presenters show how systematic planning for publishing and for the development of preliminary data help position you for a more competitive proposal. The remaining sessions focus on the structuring of grant proposals to craft effective arguments and the appropriate scope of the proposed project, tailored for the reviewers and the funders.

Researchers interested in seeing their research program as a whole and learning how to structure proposals that make ideas and approaches clear are invited to attend.

Seminar Structure

• The four sessions typically cover the following topics:
• Session 1: Your Research Ecosystem
• Session 2: The Critical First Page
• Session 3: Justifying Need + Proving Feasibility
• Session 4: Approach + Everything Else
• Combined lecture format and hands-on activities
• Concepts applicable across many different funders

Expected Outcomes

• Visualization of projected research program over time
• Broader understanding of the grant planning, writing, and review process
• Ability to make less arbitrary and more informed writing decisions

The content of this program is aimed at researchers in STEM fields and the social sciences. A seminar series for Arts and Humanities will be held in Winter Quarter 2025.

Registration is open to UCLA faculty and staff whose role an independent research program. A series for graduate students and postdocs will be held in Spring Quarter 2025 (details forthcoming). 



NOTE: Individuals intending to participate in the Developing an NSF CAREER Application in Winter Quarter 2025 are strongly encouraged to attend this seminar series.

The seminar series will be presented by members of the AtKission Training Group (ATG):

Rachel Dresbeck, Ph.D.

ATG associate Rachel Dresbeck, Ph.D., leads strategic initiatives to support the research and innovation enterprise at Oregon Health & Science University in Portland, Oregon. She focuses on research investment and capacity building, partnerships, and funding – and she works extensively with faculty and trainees as a grantwriting and leadership coach. She also teaches science writing and is a faculty member in the school of public health. She is highly engaged with the National Organization of Research Development Professionals, serving on the board and as past president, and she is a board member and president-elect of the ARCS Foundation, Oregon Chapter.

Amanda Welch, Ph.D.

Amanda Welch earned a PhD in biochemistry from the University of Florida, and did her postdoc in molecular physiology at the North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System. She combines her passion for science and writing to assist researchers in clearly communicating their scholarly work. At ATG, Amanda serves as the lead consultant for individual proposal development and is a key editor for complex proposal development.

Advance registration required to receive Zoom information and program materials.

 A link for the Zoom session and access to course materials will be provided to registrants 1-2 days before the first session.



The sessions will not be recorded.