Grant Development Communities
Faculty Grant Development Community
Eligibility: Full-time, Continuing Faculty
Term: Starting in January 2027
Compensation: $4,000 total, awarded in two amounts after meeting program requirements, June 30, 2027 and August 15, 2027; faculty on 9-month contracts will receive this as a stipend, while faculty on 12-month contracts will receive this as professional development funds
Facilitated By: Center for Research Excellence
Application Deadline: November 2, 2026
Opportunity Summary
The Center for Research Excellence invites full-time faculty to apply to participate in a Faculty Grant Development Community (FGDC) starting in January 2027. Funded by Xavier’s NIH BRE-SPAD award, the FGDC will provide training and mentored support for up to 10 faculty as they develop external grant proposals.
Participants will meet weekly for 12 weeks to learn more about topics such as:
- Aligning research questions with funder priorities
- Reading Requests for Proposals
- Writing proposal components
- Building budgets and budget narratives
- Creating evaluation and sustainability plans
Through the program, participants will be mentored by staff in the Center for Research Excellence and Office of Grant Services, along with others with grants experience. In addition, the FGDC members will support each other and provide a structure of accountability to make progress toward defined goals.
Participants are expected to attend the spring weekly sessions, including completing required work between sessions, and draft grant proposals during their summer funding period. Participants should complete a reviewed draft of a proposal by August 15, 2027. While submission ultimately depends on funder deadlines, there is an expectation that participants will submit the proposal to an external funder within one year of completing the program.
Participants will receive their stipend or professional development funds upon completion of program requirements. The first half of compensation ($2,000) will be available if participants have fulfilled spring participation expectations and initial proposal draft requirements by June 30, 2027. The second $2,000 will be available if a complete proposal is reviewed by the CRE by August 15, 2026. Participants on a 9-month contract must receive compensation as a stipend; participants on a 12-month contract may only choose professional development funds, which must be spent by January 31, 2028. Professional development funds can be spent on travel or supplies related to research.
While faculty who have identified a research project and potential funder may make progress more easily, we welcome faculty at all stages of grant-readiness to apply. Applicants whose projects align with Xavier’s NIH BRE-SPAD grant priorities will be given preference. These priorities include enhancing faculty ability and capacity to obtain external grant funding, particularly for research in the biomedical sciences. Faculty who have had considerable success obtaining external grant funding should articulate a need for further training in order to be considered for the program.
Application Process
Full-time, continuing faculty from all disciplines are eligible to apply. Applicants must submit proposals following the format outlined below. The BRE-SPAD PIs will have the final voice in the selection process.
Applications should be submitted as one file to cre@xavier.edu by November 2, 2026 in the following format:
- Name:
- Title:
- Department:
- Project Stage
- Describe your interest in this program. What do you hope to accomplish? How do your goals align with Xavier’s NIH BRE-SPAD priorities? (300-word limit)
- Describe your experience with grant seeking. Briefly describe any proposals you have submitted and any grants that were awarded. (300-word limit)
- Describe any project ideas and potential funders you have in mind. (300-word limit)
- Please complete this availability form indicating your availability for program meeting times during the spring 2027 semester. Please note. These are times you are NOT available.
- A supporting letter from the Department Chair can be sent with the application or as a separate e-mail. Support letters should attest to the applicant’s qualifications and ability to commit the needed participation time.
- Attach an abbreviated curriculum vitae.
Applicants should carbon copy their Department Chair and Dean on this application.
Selected participants will be announced by the end of the fall 2026 semester.
Contact Scott Breloff (breloffs@xavier.edu) with questions or if you would like to receive the call for applications as a Word document.