I-DISC has developed a good relationship with a number of external grant writing consultants with specific experience aligning with I-DISC research interests. I-DISC will support Lehigh faculty wishing to write a proposal on I-DISC approved initiatives & research areas by connecting the faculty with external grant writers & coordinating all administrative processes involved (agreements & payment).

Grant writing services can help you in the following areas:

  • Proposal consultation, editing and review 
  • Single-PI proposals, small team proposals, large team and Center-level proposals, and institutional proposals
  • Strategic planning
  • Kick-off solicitation workshop for the proposal development team to discuss solicitation requirements, program history, and review criteria.
  • Assistance with project planning
  • Development of a work plan for producing the proposal
  • Development of a detailed proposal outline
  • Review and editing of proposal drafts
  • Advice on proposal strategy, including budgets, letters of support, assessment, external advisory boards, etc.

Note – grant writers do NOT write the actual proposal due to the scientific expertise required – but work closely with the PI & research group involved in the proposal to ensure they produce a clear & coherent proposal that describes their project & vision of the research. In addition, they can oversee the grant proposal process and ensure each specified criteria & format is adhered to. It is the responsibility of the PI & research group to work directly with the external grant writer & coordinate the final grant submission of the grant with the Office of Research & Sponsored Programs (ORSP). 

Services provided by our external grant writers to I-DISC faculty members have included:

  • solicitation breakdown
  • work plan for producing the proposal
  • development of detailed proposal outline
  • strategic planning
  • project management
  • reviewing

2022-23 I-DISC supported 7 proposals
2023-24 I-DISC supported 10 proposals
2024-25 I-DISC has funding to support at least 15 proposals

Feed back from faculty that have taken advantage of the I-DISC Grant Proposal Support reported their overall experience working with an external grant writer on a scale of 1-5 (1=poor and 5=excellent)
Overall experience 4.3
Stayed in regular contact (email/phone) throughout the process 4.7
Communicated clearly what action was needed & by what date 4.7
Provided feedback, guidance & support in a timely manner 4.7

Grant writing resources & templates for proposal writing > 
Request grant writing support >

“....[..] is an exceptional grant writer. She is professional, organized, easy to work with, and provides feedback, guidance/support in a detailed and timely manner. She is also flexible & available to meet when needed. I enjoy working with her, she has lots of experience and has helped me improve proposal quality”

Karmel S. Shehadeh, Assistant Professor ISE, proposal for NSF-OE