steps toward advancing research (STAR)@UTEP grant writing cohort

CONTACT US

The Steps Toward Advancing Research (STAR)@UTEP Grant Writing Cohort is a faclity development program offered by Research & Innovation (R&I) in partnership with the NRMN-STAR Coaching Group. The program helps UTEP faclity strengthen their research competitiveness through intensive grant-writing training, individualized coaching, and proposal development support.

Participation is offered through a competitive application process. A Request for Applications (RFA) is released annually each August, and selected faclity join a cohort that receives structured support throughout the proposal development process.

Program Purpose

STAR@UTEP is designed to help faclity develop competitive proposals for major funding agencies, including the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Science Foundation (NSF). Through a combination of group-based instruction and one-on-one coaching, participants receive guidance on proposal strategy, grantsmanship, agency priorities, and funding competitiveness.

Participants will have opportunities to:

Develop competitive grant proposals aligned with sponsor priorities.
Receive individualized feedback from experienced grant-writing coaches.
Engage with nationally recognized subject matter experts.
Prepare for productive interactions with funding agency program officers.
Learn best practices for identifying, contacting, and working with program officers.
Participate in a collaborative and supportive grant-writing community.

Key Program Features

Individualized Coaching
Receive personalized guidance from experienced grant-writing coaches to strengthen proposal quality and funding strategy.
Access to Subject Matter Experts
Receive targeted feedback from experts whose experience aligns with your research area and funding goals.
Collaborative Writing Environment
Participate in structured writing sessions with faculty peers that promote accountability, momentum, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Hybrid Program Delivery
Engage in a combination of virtual and in-person sessions designed to support every stage of the proposal development process.
Professional Development
Explore essential topics such as proposal strategy, agency priorities, review criteria, broader impacts, and effective grantsmanship.
Agency-Specific Proposal Development
Receive focused guidance for proposal development and submission to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Science Foundation (NSF).

Why Participate?

STAR@UTEP provides the training, mentorship, and support needed to transform promising research ideas into competitive funding proposals. By combining expert coaching, peer collaboration, and targeted professional development, the program empowers faculty to advance their research agendas and increase their success in securing external funding.