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.

Seminar Event Information

Write Winning Grant Proposals Seminar will take place on Thursday, October 15 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 prerequisite to the Write Winning Grant Proposals workshop scheduled for January 11-12, 2027.

Seminar Registration Details

• The registration deadline is Wednesday, September 30 at 11:59 pm.
• Cost: The registration fee is $200 (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 colleges are sponsoring registration. Check with your collegiate associate dean for research (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 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. 

Workshop Information

The intensive workshop will take place on Monday, January 11, 2027 from 8:00 am-12:00 pm and follow-up consultation meetings will be scheduled that afternoon or Tuesday, January 12 in the University Capitol Center (UCC). This workshop is in-person. The workshop includes 4-6 months of ongoing virtual consultations.  The half-day seminar includes some activities that are group based; however, ample one-on-one time is included to ensure that the specific needs of each participant are addressed.  The program has three objectives for each participant:

1. To write and submit the best application of which they are capable
2. To better understand the dynamics and psychology of the review process
3. To develop an appreciation that constructive criticism from colleagues can make the difference between an application’s success and failure.

Faculty interested in attending the workshop must be approved by their collegiate ADR and submit an application. Participants will be selected based on a review of applications. Selected participants are required to attend the Write Winning Grant Proposals seminar and one additional on-site meeting on January 11-12, 2027.  Off-site consultations extend over the subsequent four-to-six months.

Off-site interactions with consultants are conducted by email, telephone, and/or virtually, as required, to ensure that the specific needs of each participant are addressed. The final draft is critiqued for grantsmanship by a GWSW consultant, after which it is reviewed for scientific and technical errors by members of a pre-submission review committee that is set up by the workshop participant.  By the time it is submitted, a proposal has gone through rigorous internal review, which is what helps to ensure maximal competitiveness of the resultant application. New renewal, and resubmitted applications are eligible. 

Workshop Registration Details (pre-requistite: Seminar)

• The registration deadline is Thursday, October 22 at 11:59 pm.
• Cost: The registration fee is $4,400/participant (tuition is split equally between the participant’s college, department, and the OVPR)
  • Eligibility: This workshop is open to faculty members who have attended the seminar last fall (2025) or are registered to attend this fall (2026). To be considered for participation in the workshop, candidates must be approved by their collegiate ADR and submit the required pre-proposal.  Workshop registration is capped at 25 participants.
  • To Attend: Registration will be handled through a Workflow form.  Interested registrants should discuss sponsorship with their collegiate ADR and DEO, and then complete the registration form below by Thursday, October 22 at 11:59pm.

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!