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Workshops, Events & Trainings

Upcoming Events

Developing and Funding Your Research

Thursdays (10/24/2024 through 11/14/2024) from 12-2pm PT via Zoom

Registration Deadline: Tuesday 10/22


The first sessions of this series provide tools for faculty to see their research enterprise as an enterprise, with concrete planning and visualization tools designed to help view the grant proposal in the context of your larger research goals. The presenters show how systematic planning for publishing and for the development of preliminary data help position you for a more competitive proposal. The remaining sessions focus on the structuring of grant proposals to craft effective arguments and the appropriate scope of the proposed project, tailored for the reviewers and the funders.

The content of this program is aimed at researchers in STEM fields and the social sciences. Registration is open to UCLA faculty and staff whose role includes an independent research program. 

People interested in participating in the Developing an NSF CAREER Application seminar series in Winter 2025 are strongly encouraged to register for this series.

The seminar series will be presented by Rachel Dresbeck, Ph.D. and Amanda Welch, Ph.D. of the AtKission Training Group (ATG)

Advanced registration required to receive Zoom information and program materials.

SPIN Funding Database Training

Thursday, November 7, 2024, 12-1pm PT via Zoom

Registration Deadline: Tuesday 11/5


As a resource for the UCLA campus community, the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research & Creative Activities (ORCA) provides an institution-wide subscription to the SPIN funding opportunity database SPIN offers:

  • Over 40,000 programs from more than 10,000 unique sponsors
  • Opportunities from a range of sponsor types (e.g. federal, foundation, and corporate)
  • Programs with a wide variety of eligibility (e.g. student, postdoc, and faculty) across all disciplines
  • Ability to set up customizable funding searches and alerts

The training sessions will be presented by Bill DeCocco, Account Manager at InfoEd Global (provider of SPIN).

Developing an NSF CAREER Application

Tuesdays (Jan 28 and Feb 4, 2025) from 10am-12pm PT via Zoom

Registration Deadline: Tuesday 1/21/2025


An NSF CAREER award application is more than an NSF Standard Grant with an education plan added in. Highly competitive awards integrate the research and education plan. Over the course of the two sessions, the presenters will discuss why and how to create a plan that results in a competitive proposal. Participants can expect to walk away with an understanding of the requirements and nuances of an NSF CAREER Award application and the ability to connect proposal elements to tell your story in a cohesive way.

Registrants interested in this series are strongly encouraged to participate in Developing and Funding Your Research offered in Fall Quarter 2024.

This series is intended for UCLA faculty with an independent research program who intend to submit an NSF CAREER application in an upcoming cycle. 

The seminar series will be presented by Dr. Peg AtKission and Dr. Amanda Welch of AtKisson Training Group (ATG).

Advance registration will be required to receive Zoom information and program materials.

Planning and Writing Successful Grant Proposals in the Arts + Humanities

Wednesdays (Feb 12 through Mar 5, 2025) 12-2pm PT via Zoom

Registration Deadline: Wednesday 2/5/2025


This seminar series presents fundamental concepts of proposal planning and writing for Arts + Humanities faculty backed by concrete tips and operational strategies that support planning and longer-term sustainability. The four sessions typically cover the following topics:

  • Your Research Ecosystem
  • The Critical First Page
  • Justifying Need + Proving Feasibility
  • Approach + Everything Else

The content of this program is aimed at researchers in the arts and humanities. Registration is open to UCLA faculty and staff whose role includes an independent research program. 

The seminar series will be presented by Dr. Barbara Endemaño Walker from AtKission Training Group (ATG).

Advance registration will be required to receive Zoom information and program materials.

Additional events will be added to this page as they are scheduled. Information regarding upcoming events will be included in the weekly Research Enhancement Rundown newsletter. Click here to subscribe.

Past Events

Foundation Limited Submission Opportunities (LSO) at UCLA

Tuesday, October 1, 2024 , 12-1pm PT via Zoom

Join the Office of Foundation Relations and Corporate Philanthropy and the Office of Research and Creative Activities (ORCA) for an online information session on foundation limited submission opportunities (LSOs) at UCLA. The session will offer an overview of the UCLA LSO process, outline the benefits of applying, and share information on assistance available through ORCA and UCLA Development. 

Attendees will also hear brief overviews of prominent and competitive foundation-sponsored LSOs, including: 

  • W. M. Keck Foundation – Research Grants program
  • David and Lucille Packard Foundation – Packard Fellowships for Science and Engineering
  • Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation – Moore Inventor Fellows program
  • G. Harold and Leila Y. Mathers Foundation – Research Grants
  • Carnegie Corporation – Andrew Carnegie Fellows Program
  • The Nicholas Endowment

This information session will be presented by:

Planning and Writing Successful Grant Proposals in the Arts + Humanities

Wednesdays (5/8 - 6/5, no session on 5/15) from 12-2pm PT via Zoom

This seminar series presents fundamental concepts of proposal planning and writing for Arts + Humanities faculty backed by concrete tips and operational strategies that support planning and longer-term sustainability. Faculty members in the Arts + Humanities disciplines who plan to write a grant proposal are invited to attend.

The seminar series will be presented by Dr. Peg AtKisson and Dr. Barbara Endemaño Walker from AtKission Training Group (ATG).

The seminar series will occur over four 2-hour sessions via Zoom on Wednesdays from 12-2pm PT (5/8 - 6/5, with no session on 5/15)

  • 5/8: Before You Begin to Write
  • 5/22: The Critical First Page
  • 5/29: Justifying Need + Proving Feasibility
  • 6/5: Approach + Everything Else

Registration is open to researchers with a UCLA appointment who are actively engaged in a research/creative activities program and anticipate submitting future grant proposals in support of their work.

Asking Better Questions

Friday, May 3 from 9am-1pm PT via Zoom

Asking Better Questions is a hands-on workshop to help you find new ways of looking at your research and scholarship to generate new questions. Working with two experienced facilitators with backgrounds in learning and leadership, you will come away with new skills and perspectives for approaching your work with more creativity.

This workshop is open to faculty researchers in any discipline.

The workshop will be presented by Dr. Peg AtKisson and and Shani Feyen of AtKission Training Group (ATG).

Proposal Submission & Award Set Up at UCLA: Tips and Resources

Wednesday 4/24 from 9am-9:45am PT via Zoom

This session will be presented by the UCLA Office of Contract and Grant Administration (OCGA),

The Office of Contract and Grant Administration (OCGA) will provide an overview of:

  • The proposal review process at UCLA, including what type of applications are submitted through OCGA, how to submit, what to submit, timelines etc.  
  • Award negotiation and acceptance, including issues that may require extra attention
  • Sponsor Prior Approval Requirements
  • Initiating a subaward

SPIN Funding Database Training

Tuesday 4/23 from 12-1pm PT via Zoom

As a resource for the UCLA campus community, the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research & Creative Activities  provides an institution-wide subscription to the SPIN funding opportunity database SPIN offers:

  • Over 40,000 programs from more than 10,000 unique sponsors
  • Opportunities from a range of sponsor types (e.g. federal, foundation, and corporate)
  • Programs with a wide variety of eligibility (e.g. student, postdoc, and faculty) across all disciplines
  • Ability to set up customizable funding searches and alerts

The training sessions will be presented by Bill DeCocco, Account Manager at InfoEd Global.

Developing and Funding Your Research: A Faculty Development Program

Thursdays (2/8/2024 through 2/29/2024) from 12-2pm PT via Zoom

Researchers interested in seeing their research program as a whole and learning how to structure proposals that make ideas and approaches clear are invited to attend this event sponsored by the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research & Creative Activities (ORCA). 

This program will be oriented towards faculty members in STEM fields and the social sciences. 

The seminar series will be presented by Dr. Amanda Welch and Dr. Rachel Dresbeck of AtKission Training Group (ATG).

The seminar series will occur over four 2-hour sessions via Zoom on Thursdays from 12-2pm (2/8 - 2/29)

  • 2/8: Your Research Ecosystem
  • 2/15: The Critical First Page
  • 2/22: Justifying Need + Proving Feasibility
  • 2/29: Approach + Everything Else

Registration is open to researchers with a UCLA appointment who are actively engaged in a research program and anticipate submitting future grant proposals in support of their work. See registration page for more details.

Questions?

Questions or feedback regarding the events on this page can be sent to orcafunding@conet.ucla.edu.