Research Office

Each member of our team is a certified research administrator and completely dedicated to providing concierge-level service to help our faculty gain success throughout the proposal process.

Meet the ERO team

Creating compelling technical narratives is essential for securing external research funding. Our office can help craft and refine clear and convincing narratives that align with agency and program priorities. We have experience with many different funding agencies and can help faculty frame research proposals to maximize appeal. We are particularly focused on facilitating the pursuit of DoD mission-related opportunities.

Early Career Focus

Not sure where to begin? Our office offers one-on-one support to early career faculty to help launch a sustainable research career. These services include developing strategic funding plans, identifying programs relevant to faculty research interests, and assisting with effective initial contact with program officers.

Proposal Development Services Offered

• Identify appropriate funding opportunities
• Determine a strategic research funding plan
• Draft concept papers, quad charts, and project summaries
• Connect with program officers
• Craft persuasive proposal narratives
• Revise iterative drafts
• Review and edit final drafts
• Evaluate reviewer comments from prior submissions to improve future proposals

Harry Richards is the contact for Proposal Development Services.

There are two components to all research proposals: the technical narrative and everything else. Our team provides one-on-one support that allows faculty to focus on the narrative while we manage everything else required for a quality proposal that complies with agency guidelines, university policies, and regulatory requirements.

We will ensure your grant application includes all mandatory documents and is ready for review by the Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP), the office that actually submits proposals from the University of Tennessee to funding agencies, foundations, etc. We also coordinate with OSP on your behalf to address any issues or concerns that may arise during OSP’s administrative review before submission to the funding agency.

Whether you are planning to lead a submission from UT or collaborate with a colleague at another institution, contact ERO for assistance with preparing your proposal documents and navigating the many related requirements. The earlier you contact us, the more help we can provide.

Proposal Support Services Offered

• Review RFP/solicitation for requirements
• Develop matrix of proposal requirements/responsibilities and timeline
• Create required document templates
• Develop budget and budget-related documents
• Prepare cost share budgets and coordinate cost share commitments
• Facilitate internal and external collaborative arrangements
• Coordinate subrecipient documentation
• Draft non-technical sections of the narrative, e.g., organization overview, past performance, broad IP language
• Copyedit for clarity, flow, and conciseness, if timeline allows
• Format documents for compliance and cohesiveness
• Facilitate internal approvals (Cayuse) and coordinate with OSP

Jada Huskey is the contact for Proposal Support Services.