Research Development & Proposal Services Overview
The Research Development and Proposal Services team provides tailored services to help MSU researchers successfully compete for external funding for their research and creative pursuits. These services include grant editing, consultations, identifying funding opportunities, and project management for large-scale grant proposals. These services are available at no cost to MSU researchers.
Get Started
To schedule a consultation with a member of our team, or to request editing or project management services, please complete the Service Request Form. For any questions, please email ORI.editors@msu.edu.
Timing
We recommend contacting our office early in the grant development process to take advantage of the full range of services offered, including project management assistance for large-scale proposals, and substantive feedback on a proposal’s logic, layout, and organization to ensure it aligns with the funder’s guidelines. Our ability to edit proposals and facilitate more substantial changes will be limited as the submission deadline approaches. Please also refer to the MSU Proposal Submission Deadline Policy to ensure your proposal meets internal deadlines.
Current Offerings
- Proposal development and editing
- Proposal project management
- Peer-review coordination
- Proposal strategy consultation
- Exploring funding
- Webinars and workshops
Writing Groups and Programs
NSF CAREER Faculty Writing Group
This writing group is designed to prepare early-career faculty at MSU to submit a strong CAREER proposal to the National Science Foundation (NSF).
Fall NIH Deadlines: Grantsmanship and Mentoring Program for Winning Your First NIH R01 Grant
This mentoring program is designed to prepare early-career faculty at MSU to submit a strong R01 proposal to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Participants will receive information and advice on all aspects of the grant writing process during biweekly cohort meetings and personal mentoring sessions.
The MIRAcle Grant Group
The MIRAcle Cohort will prepare investigators to submit new or renewal R35/MIRA applications to the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS).
Summer NIH Deadlines: NIH Proposal Writing Bootcamp
Led by the Office of Research & Innovation’s Research Development and Proposal Services team, this writing group is designed to support faculty at Michigan State University (MSU) as they develop their application for an NIH research grant.
Academy for Developing Visionary Institutes and Centers of Excellence
The Academy for Developing Visionary Institutes and Centers of Excellence (ADVICE) is a faculty career development incubator for post tenure faculty to help participants position themselves for successful center-level funding opportunities.
Our Team
Lauren Aerni-Flessner
- Joined MSU in August 2014
- Ph.D. in Molecular Cell Biology from Washington University in St. Louis, studying glucose transporter biology
- Master of Business Administration from the University of Michigan
- Previously worked as a Grant and Project Management Specialist in the MSU College of Engineering
- Provides grant editing, first draft reviews, and more
Angie Kankula
- Joined MSU in January 2012
- Bachelor of Science degree from Michigan State University
- Specializing in NIH, DOD, and foundation grants
- Provides project management and budgeting for complex grants
Sara Steenrod
- Joined MSU in November 2018
- Ph.D. in Neuroscience from Columbia University
- Completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Rockefeller University, studying the neural mechanisms underlying visual attention.
- Previously worked as a Scientific Editor for the Institute of Clinical and Translational Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis
- Sara Steenrod's LinkedIn profile
Special note: Visit the Global IDEAS section of the International Studies and Programs website for opportunities related to international scholarship and be sure to register for their email notices.