The Research Development Office in the Office of the Vice President for Research is pleased to partner with Dr. John Robertson from Grant Writers' Seminars & Workshops (GWSW) to conduct the Write Winning Grant Proposals seminar.

Event Information

Write Winning Grant Proposals Seminar will take place on Thursday, October 9 at 8:30 am-4:30 pm in the Iowa Memorial Union (IMU). In-person and virtual options are available.

This all-day presentation is the cornerstone of GWSW seminar programs. It comprehensively addresses both practical and conceptual aspects that are important to writing competitive grant proposals. It is appropriate for faculty members, postdoctoral researchers and administrative staff who have had some exposure to writing grant applications, either through training/mentoring or personal experience. Each presentation is tailored to meet the needs of the audience, e.g., to focus on the funding agency or agencies (federal, private, and/or industry) that is/are of greatest interest to the attendees. Emphasis is given to doing the “extra” things that can make the difference between success and failure.

At the University of Iowa, the main focus is on the NIH and NSF; however, regardless of the agency, participants are taught to write with a linear progression of logic, which leads reviewers through an application without them knowing that they are being led. Coping strategies to overcome the fact that applicants are writing for two different audiences—the assigned reviewers, who read the application in its entirety, and non-assigned reviewers who may have read little, or nothing, of the proposal before the meeting of the review panel—are emphasized. The seminar is in a lecture format.

The Write Winning Grant Proposals seminar is a pre-requisite to the Write Winning Grant Proposals workshop tentatively scheduled for January 2027.

Registration Details

• The registration deadline is Wednesday, September 24 at 11:59 pm.
• Cost: The registration fee is $150 (includes seminar, workbook, supplemental materials, and lunch).
• Eligibility: This seminar is open to faculty members, postdoctoral researchers and administrative staff who have had some exposure to writing grant applications, either through training / mentoring or personal experience.
• To Attend: Registration will be handled through a Workflow form. Some units are sponsoring registration. Check with your collegiate ADR to inquire about sponsorship. Each registrant will be asked to enter an MFK as required part of registration or select a sponsored spot.
• Sponsored Seats: Some colleges sponsor a certain number of faculty spots on a first come, first served basis. If a sponsored spot is selected you will not be required to enter a MFK. 
• Workbook Choice: Select a workbook where indicated in the form. Click here for a description of each workbook version.
  • Please note: Workbooks will be campus mailed to registrants attending virtually so be sure to provide a complete and clear UI campus address where indicated in the registration form. 

Questions?

Please email vpr-rdo@uiowa.edu with any questions. Sign up for the RDO Monthly Newsletter to stay up-to-date on this year’s seminar here!