Research funding in the changing federal environment continues to be the strategic focus of Research Strategy and Development (RSD), Brown Technology Innovations (BTI), and Corporate & Foundation Relations (CFR). With the academic year underway, these teams are here to support faculty and researchers across every discipline. Together, they provide programs, resources, and expertise to advance ideas, foster collaborations, and achieve research goals.
- Research Strategy & Development (RSD): Find funding, strengthen proposals, and connect with collaborators. RSD helps align research with the right opportunities—and has just launched the newly expanded Seeds Program and Pivot-RP tool.
- Brown Technology Innovations (BTI): Protect ideas, launch startups, and build industry partnerships. BTI supports patents, commercialization, and collaboration—and recently hosted the third annual Innovation@Brown showcase during RI Startup Week.
- Corporate & Foundation Relations (CFR): Identify prospects, craft proposals, and steward relationships. CFR helps faculty connect with leading foundations and corporations—and is offering a new workshop series on optimizing foundation proposals.
From the humanities and social sciences to STEM, public health, and medicine, these strategic teams support research and innovation across Brown. Explore their fall offerings to take the next step in your research journey.
Fall resources & events
Now open: 2026 Division of Research Seed Program
We are pleased to announce expanded funding to strengthen Brown’s innovative and resilient research environment. This year’s program includes three tracks: NEW Research Resilience Award – up to $75K / 12 months; NEW Research Innovation Award – up to $250K / 24 months; Research Seed Award – up to $75K / 12 months. Program details
Foundations 201: Finding the Right Fit and Crafting Proposals that Get Noticed
Tuesday, Oct. 28 | 12–1:30 PM | In person | 211 South Main Street, Room 901
Join CFR for a workshop on essential foundation funding skills: identifying the right funders, writing persuasive proposals, and pitching effectively—even to foundations without open calls. Bring your federal proposal summary to adapt for foundation audiences. Focused on public health researchers used to applying to NIH, but open to all Brown affiliates. Details & registration
Successful Strategies for Landing Funding for Humanists and Social Scientists
Wednesday, Oct. 29 | 12–1 PM | Zoom
This is the first of a three-part series coordinated through the Dean of the Faculty’s office. Learn how to identify funding opportunities, build relationships with funders, and make a compelling case for foundation support. CFR, RSD and RMS staff, along with faculty peers, will share insights and advice. Open to all career stages. Register by Oct. 22
Strategies for Obtaining Cross-Institutional Center & Institute Major Grants
Wednesday, Nov. 5 | 12–1 PM | Zoom
CFR and RSD staff will discuss strategies for securing large, cross-institutional grants that support the creation and advancement of humanities and social science-based research centers and institutes. Suitable for mid- to later-career faculty. Register by Oct. 29
Applying to Young Investigator Awards with DOE, DOD, or DARPA
Thursday, Nov. 6 | 12–1 PM | Online
The RSD team invites junior faculty to a webinar demystifying the application process for early-career awards, including ONR and AFOSR Young Investigator Programs, DARPA’s Young Faculty Award, and DOE’s Early Career Research Program. Details & registration
Foundation Funding Workshop for Postdoctoral Students
Thursday, Nov. 6 | 12–1:30 PM | In person | Innovation Zone, Carney Institute, 164 Angell Street
This workshop offers postdoctoral students training in foundation proposal writing, along with hands-on practice in Pivot-RP for finding opportunities. Participants are encouraged to bring an abstract and laptop for interactive exercises. Open to postdocs in all disciplines. Details & registration
Skill-Building for Center & Institute Grant Success
Wednesday, Nov. 12 | 12–1 PM | Zoom
This is the final of the three-part series, and building on the Nov. 5 session, RSD staff will provide actionable practices to strengthen leadership, build teams, and improve the chances of success in pursuing major center and institute grants. Register by Nov. 5
Ongoing support: Research funding Search Tool: Pivot-RP
Brown researchers now have access to Pivot-RP, a powerful platform connecting scholars to more than $100B in worldwide funding opportunities. Use customized searches and alerts to discover funding that aligns with your research goals. Log in here.
We encourage faculty to participate in these activities. If you would like to see any of our offices provide additional information or support, please contact us.
Edel Minogue, Senior Director, Research Strategy and Development, edel_minogue@brown.edu
Sasha Dolgicer, Executive Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations, sasha_dolgicer@brown.edu
Marty Scholtz, Interim Executive Director of Brown Technology Innovations, marty_scholtz@brown.edu