RSP to hold workshops on writing more effective proposals

Research and Sponsored Programs at Western Washington University is offering a number of workshops designed to help faculty and staff members write more effective proposals to external agencies. This is a new series and is in response to requests from several campus members.

In fall quarter, the workshops will focus on those PI’s who will be writing proposals to the National Science Foundation. NSF remains Western's largest external partner in research funding. In winter and spring quarters, the workshop series will be centered on other agencies and private foundations.

There are five workshops planned for fall, each centering on a different theme. Any materials presented will be available on the RSP website as will be each quarter’s schedule. The workshop kicks off next week, with a presentation and conversation with David Patrick. He’ll discuss his proposals to NSF and the feedback he received, modifications that were made subsequently, and lessons he has learned from working with NSF during his career. The second workshop will be an overview of NSF, with Edward Geary leading the presentation.  He will cover topics such as the organization of NSF and how proposals are evaluated.  The third workshop will cover the nuts and bolts of NSF funding. Tracey Finch and Ron Marks will cover topics such as Fastlane, budgets and how RSP supports faculty and staff from pre-award forward.  The fourth workshop will be led by Andy Bunn and Mark Bussell, and it will cover topics relating to interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary approaches to NSF funding.  The series concludes with chairs Bernard Housen and Joann Otto and Dean Emeritus Arlan Norman sharing their perspectives and wisdom.

The sessions are intended to be interactive and are meant to build a community for those involved in writing proposals. The first meeting is from 12:30 to 2 p.m. Oct. 12 in Miller Hall Room 258.  Subsequent sessions will be on Mondays from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Light refreshments will be provided.

To register for the first workshop or to ask questions, contact the RSP program coordinator, Coco Besson, at coco.besson@wwu.edu.