Research Development & Grant Services
Research Development & Grant Services

Funder Selection

Selecting a funder goes in tandem with your specific research strategy. Varying levels of research are aptly paired with varying levels of funding. Miscalculating this step could set you back in both timeline and resources. But, when your research is in line with your carefully crafted trajectory, you know which sandbox to be in. Our funder selection services position you for a fundable future.

Pitching to Program Officers

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What is it? Technically, this could be two different things. Pitching to program officers could either be (1) a 30-60 second elevator pitch that you prepare in preparation for meeting the Program Officer (PO) at a workshop or conference — allowing you an opportunity to give a good first impression and hopefully open the doors for more discussion; or (2) a scheduled call or a face-to-face meeting you have with your PO to discuss your project based off a concept paper that has already been shared with your PO. Ultimately, pitching to program officers is about confirming whether your research or project fits with the funder’s and program’s objectives. This conversation can help you obtain the necessary guidance for your project’s design, collaboration, timeline, and budget — as well as specific nuances that might be left out of the funding notice. It also can give you insights into the program’s likes/dislikes, shifting priorities, and underlying considerations. 

Researchers do not always consider the great ace in their pocket — the ability to communicate and pitch to an agency’s specified Program Officer. While this can be intimidating, when done in tandem with a well-written concept paper, it can be the very thing that sets your final proposal above the rest. However, do not call the PO until you are ready to discuss in detail your project (and this assumes that you have already determined alignment with their priorities). We have seen researchers call to clarify a question, and then be asked questions that they weren’t prepared for, leaving them startled and without leaving the greatest of impressions.

The pitch is the beginning of your relationship with the funding program and its Officer. Whether you are preparing your elevator pitch or preparing more formalized conversation points, there is a protocol for pitching to Program Officers, so be sure you start out on the right foot.

How can we help you?
  • Ensure your concept paper is well developed
  • Coach “the pitch”

Related Services

Coaching & Training

Coaching and training are about capacity building. Our coaching and training services can offer support through broader nuanced processes such as grant writing or through developing evaluation plans, or more task-specific items.

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Articles and White Papers About Pitching to Program Officers

How to Highlight Key Medical Health Outcomes in Your Funding Pitch

Introduction Securing funding in the medical and health sectors often requires a persuasive and well-structured pitch that underscores the importance and potential impact of the research. Effectively highlighting key medical health outcomes can strengthen your pitch, making it clear to funders that their investment will yield tangible benefits. This article...

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Top 10 Elements of a Successful Corporate Research Funding Proposal

Introduction Securing corporate research funding requires involves crafting a compelling, well-structured proposal that aligns with corporate priorities. Corporate funders often seek proposals that clearly articulate value, demonstrate feasibility, and show potential for measurable impact. This document outlines the top 10 elements essential for creating a successful corporate research funding proposal...

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FAQ About Pitching to Program Officers

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How does writing a grant for a foundation differ than for writing to a state or federal agency?

Federal and state funding usually come with more requirements in their submission guidelines and required paperwork; they usually also have more focused prioritized areas than foundation funding.

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Do I send anything along with my concept paper?

Sending your program’s logic model along with the concept paper is advisable.

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What do you look for right out-of-the-gate?

When asked to review a proposal, we are immediately looking for first impressions, the writer’s knowledge/understanding of the funder and its priorities, and whether or not the content is clear.

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How do I prepare for my pitch?

The starting point for any conversation with a funder is a concept paper and logic model.

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What’s the protocol for contacting and relating to the PO?

You will want to have done your homework in order to identify funder priorities, the types of programs that have been funded recently, and perhaps to understand your PO’s professional background. You will also want to have a solid logic model and concept paper to share in your introductory email. When ready to make contact, send an email with a summary of the issues, be specific, ask for a time to talk, and attach your concept paper and logic model. Do not bog the PO down with methodological details, but concentrte on the big picture, outcomes, and deliverables.

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