The Research Development Office (RDO) in the Office of the Vice President for Research (OVPR) is pleased to partner with Dr. John Robertson from Grant Writers' Seminars & Workshops (GWSW) to conduct the Write Winning Grant Proposals seminar and intensive workshop.
The Write Winning Grant Proposals seminar is the cornerstone of GWSW's programs. It comprehensively addresses both practical and conceptual aspects that are important to writing competitive grant proposals.
Write Winning Grant Proposals Seminar
October 15, 2026
Registration deadline: September 30, 2026
Write Winning Grant Proposals Workshop
January 11-12, 2027
Registration deadline: October 22, 2026
The RDO will send calendar invitations following registration.
Write Winning Grant Proposals Seminar
Thursday, October 15 from 8:30am-4:30pm
Iowa Memorial Union (IMU) or virtual
This full-day seminar offers practical and conceptual advice for writing competitive grant applications. Designed for faculty, postdoctoral researchers, and administrative staff with some grant-writing experience, the lecture blends strategy with real-world insight.
Attendees will learn how to:
Build a clear, persuasive narrative that guides reviewers through an application
Write for both assigned and non-assigned reviewers
Avoid common pitfalls that weaken otherwise strong proposals
Apply proven techniques that can make the difference between funding and rejection
At the University of Iowa, examples focus on National Institutes of Health (NIH) and National Science Foundation (NSF) proposals, but the strategies apply across federal, private, and industry sponsors.
“This seminar included a massive amount of helpful information on general grantsmanship, as well as two major federal funders. It should be recommended for anyone who works on grant proposals, not just PIs!”
- 2025 University of Iowa seminar participant
This seminar is required to attend the Write Winning Grant Proposals Workshop, scheduled for January 11–12, 2027.
Seminar Registration Details
- Registration deadline: Wednesday, September 30 at 11:59pm
- Cost: $200 (includes seminar, workbook, supplemental materials, and lunch)
- Eligibility: Open to faculty members, postdoctoral researchers, and administrative staff who have had some exposure to writing grant applications through training, mentoring, or personal experience
- Sponsored seats: Some colleges provide a limited number of sponsored spots on a first-come, first-served basis. Check with your collegiate associate dean for research (ADR) to inquire about sponsorship.
- How to register and pay: Registration will be completed through a Workflow form. Participants must enter a valid MFK, unless you have a sponsored seat. If a sponsored seat is selected, an MFK is not required.
- Workbook selection: Select a workbook version within the registration form.
For those attending virtually, workbooks will be campus-mailed. Provide a complete and accurate University of Iowa campus mailing address in the registration form.
Write Winning Grant Proposals Intensive Workshop and Consultation
This workshop and consultation program is designed for faculty who have taken the seminar and are ready to submit a competitive funding proposal. The experience combines in-person training, individualized feedback, and sustained consultation support over four to six months, culminating in a review of the final proposal draft.
Participants will:
Develop and submit the strongest possible grant application
Gain deeper insight into the dynamics and psychology of the peer review process
Understand how constructive critique from peers strengthens competitiveness
Workshop
Monday, January 11, 2027 from 8am-12pm
University Capitol Centre (UCC)
The in-person workshop includes group activities and dedicated one-on-one consultation time to ensure each participant’s proposal receives focused attention.
On-Site Consultation
January 11 or 12, 2027
University Capitol Centre (UCC)
Virtual Consultation and Proposal Review
January-June 2027
Follow-up consultations continue virtually through June and are conducted by email, phone, or videoconference, as needed.
Each participant’s final proposal draft will receive:
A grantsmanship review by a GWSW consultant
A scientific and technical review by a pre-submission committee organized by the participant
Workshop and Consultation Registration Details
- Registration deadline: Thursday, October 22 at 11:59pm.
Cost: $4,400 per participant (cost shared equally by the participant’s college, department, and the Office of the Vice President for Research)
Eligibility:
Faculty who attended the fall 2025 seminar or are registered for fall 2026
Be approved by department executive officer (DEO) and collegiate ADR
Submission of required application materials
Can be a new, renewal, and resubmitted application
How to register: Registration is completed through a Workflow form. Interested participants should discuss sponsorship with their collegiate ADR and DEO before submitting the form.
Selection: Participants are selected based on a review of applications. Up to 25 participants will be selected.
Grant Writers' Seminars & Workshops (GWSW)
About the Presenter
Dr. Robertson is the managing member and owner of Grant Writers' Seminars and Workshops. He is the recipient of competitive extramural funding from both the NIH and non-federal sources. He has served as a member of grant review panels, a reviewer for various biomedical journals, as well as a member of journal editorial boards. Before his recruitment to GWSW he served as a mentor for junior-faculty grant applicants and was recognized routinely for excellence in teaching.
Education
- Ph.D., Pharmacology/Toxicology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX
- Postdoctoral, Toxicology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
Academic Appointments
- University of Kansas Medical Center, Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology & Therapeutics, Kansas City, KS (Assistant Professor)
- University of Kansas Medical Center, University of Kansas Cancer Center, Kansas City, KS (Associate Member)
Need to Cancel?
- Seminar: Cancel by September 30, 2026 to avoid charges.
- Workshop: Cancel by October 22, 2026 to avoid charges.
To cancel, email vpr-rdo@uiowa.edu.
Questions?
Please email vpr-rdo@uiowa.edu with any questions. Sign up for the RDO Monthly Newsletter to stay up-to-date on RDO activities here!
Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend all University of Iowa–sponsored events. If you are a person with a disability who requires a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in this program, please contact Research Development Office in advance at 319-335-2119 or vpr-rdo@uiowa.edu