Our strategy consultations are designed to support investigators in developing comprehensive research strategies that prioritize extramural funding opportunities. The SRD team combines extensive proposal development expertise with strategic intelligence—a dynamic, data-driven perspective that empowers investigators to anticipate key trends while aligning their research with the university’s mission.

An effective research strategy may also combine SRD-led federal funding opportunities with private source corporate and/or foundation funding opportunities, so we advise researchers to contact the office of Corporate and Foundation Relations (CFR) through their website. We are also happy to provide introductions to the appropriate CFR team members as desired.

Our research consultation activities meet the needs of a wide range of researchers, including:

• Faculty and research staff seeking guidance on new or evolving project ideas.
• Teams preparing large, multi-institution collaborations or interdisciplinary initiatives.
• Investigators looking to expand their research portfolio or explore new funding opportunities.
• Early-career researchers seeking to establish a strong foundation for their research program.

SRD offers a wide range of activities that support your research endeavors, including:

• Roadmap for Proposal Success: We help you clarify your objectives, timelines, and deliverables, ensuring that your proposal is well-organized and competitive.
• Funding Source Identification: Our team guides you in identifying and prioritizing potential funding sources, including federal agencies, foundations, and corporate partners.
• Partnerships: We facilitate connections with strategic partners, both within Tufts and beyond, to enhance your research collaborations and impact.
• Strategic Intelligence: Our team monitors trends, funding shifts, and policy updates, providing you with valuable insights to inform your research strategy and stay ahead of the competition.

We encourage researchers to connect with our team as early as possible to consider their funding strategy, with typical stages including:

• Early Concept Phase: Before committing major time or resources, our team can help you refine your idea and identify potential funding sources.
• Refining Your Plan: As you refine your plan, we can ensure that your scope, partners, and timelines remain feasible and competitive.
• Responding to New Opportunities: Following significant developments, such as new calls for proposals, policy changes, or breakthroughs, our team can help you capitalize on fresh opportunities and adjust your strategy accordingly.

Interacting with federal funding agencies varies widely across agencies and can often be supported by developing networks among congressional offices or other representatives connected to government funding sources. SRD can provide guidance on where and how to start building your network or connections with partners or program officers to advance your research ideas. A few key avenues for developing networks are listed here, but feel free to contact us with questions or for further information about best approaches.

• At Tufts, the office of Government & Community Relations serves as the university’s primary liaison for connecting and collaborating with community partners and local? government officials. They help support and coordinate an array of programs and events within local communities for Tufts faculty, staff, and students.
  • Click here to learn more about the services provided by the Government & Community Relations team at Tufts, including partnering with local organizations for community research, engaging elected officials, or finding volunteer opportunities.
     
• Lewis-Burke Associates (LBA) is a full-service government relations firm specializing in advocating for the public policy interests of institutions of higher education and other research and education organizations. LBA works toward building long-term relationships across government and research communities, with an emphasis on broadening the networks and knowledge necessary to be heard and trusted by both funding sources and policy leaders. Given the recent changes to federal funding and the surrounding uncertainty, LBA has focused their commitment to aggressively advocating for our research community as it relates to strategic planning for congressional appropriations for research.
  • Click here to learn more about the benefits of working with LBA and the services that they provide. At this time, if Tufts faculty or staff have any questions for LBA or are interested in contacting them, please reach out to us to discuss.
     
• Request for Information (RFI): Prior to releasing a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a funding opportunity, federal agencies may publish an RFI to solicit public input on current challenges and opportunities in a given research domain to help determine what their funding priorities should be. In collaboration with LBA, we can notify you when RFIs are published and help you complete them in a way that highlights why your research objectives should be given funding priority by that agency.
   
• For members of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), advocacy for the use of research and science in policymaking is done on their behalf by the Office of Government Relations (OGR). OGR aims to connect scientists and researchers to the policymaking process at the national and local levels, including providing trainings and workshops on how to work effectively with legislators and learn to advocate for science. OGR also issues statements, provides congressional testimony, and gives input on government regulations regarding science issues, as well as works with numerous coalitions to advocate for funding and other STEM community priorities.
  • If you’re a member of AAAS or interested in becoming one, click here to learn about how OGR can advocate for research and science in policymaking on your behalf.

• The Association for Women in Science (AWIS) is a not-for-profit organization that has been the leading advocate for women in STEM fields to achieve business growth, social change, and innovation. AWIS provides career resources, professional development and leadership skills, and networking, mentoring, and volunteer opportunities. As a partner with Tufts, AWIS provides access to thought leadership on current topics and trends impacting women in science and STEM, as well as opportunities to connect faculty and students with the AWIS network.
  • Click here to learn more about the benefits of AWIS’s partnership with Tufts, including participation in discussion threads with other AWIS members in the online community, access to professional development resources and webinars for career advancement, and eligibility for AWIS awards and scholarships.
     
• Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU) is a not-for-profit organization that provides innovative scientific and technical solutions to advance national priorities in science, education, security, and health. Through specialized teams of experts and access to a consortium of over 150 colleges and universities, their Research and University Partnerships Office facilitates ongoing collaboration between faculty, students, and ORAU experts on major scientific initiatives that strengthen American’s leading edge in science and technology.
  • Click here to learn more about the benefits of ORAU’s partnership with Tufts, including their Member Grant Programs, STEM Accelerator, and Research Focus Areas.
     
• SIREUS is a collaborative initiative between Swedish- and American-affiliated universities and the Swedish American Chambers of Commerce (SACC-USA) that focuses on increasing talent and sharing knowledge in innovation, science, and entrepreneurship for researchers and students between Sweden and the U.S. SIREUS offers research collaboration and knowledge exchange in five domains: Digital Transformation, Green Transition, Life Science, Society and Culture, and Space Technology.
  • Click here to learn more about the benefits of SIREUS’s partnership with Tufts, including available visiting research positions, identification of funding opportunities, and collaboration with other organizations such as the STARS Network (Swedish Trans-Atlantic Researchers & Scholars Network).

Awards and honors showcase Tufts researchers’ excellence, enhancing the university’s reputation while broadening professional networks and funding possibilities.

American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Fellows: We proudly support the nomination of Tufts faculty for election as AAAS Fellows, a distinguished honor recognizing significant contributions to advancing science. This prestigious recognition highlights the impact of their work on the scientific community and beyond.

• Click here to learn more about the AAAS Fellows program and the benefits of this distinguished honor.

• National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) Fellowship: This prestigious fellowship supports advanced research in the humanities, providing scholars with the resources to pursue in-depth investigations and produce significant contributions to humanistic knowledge. NEH Fellowships enable faculty to dedicate focused time to their research, fostering intellectual exploration and enriching our understanding of human culture, history, and thought.
  • Click here to learn more about the NEH Fellowship program and the impact of NEH-funded research on the humanities community.
     
• National Institutes of Health (NIH) Director's New Innovator Award: This highly sought-after award empowers exceptionally creative early-career investigators pursuing high-impact, high-risk biomedical research. The New Innovator Award encourages unconventional approaches and innovative thinking, accelerating the translation of research discoveries into tangible health benefits and fostering breakthroughs in biomedical science. recognition highlights the impact of their work on the scientific community and beyond.
  • Click here to learn more about the NIH Director's New Innovator Award.
     
• National Science Foundation (NSF) CAREER Award: This highly competitive award invests in the integrated research and education endeavors of exceptional early-career faculty. The CAREER award provides substantial funding, enabling junior faculty to establish robust research programs, mentor future generations of scientists, and contribute significantly to the broader scientific community. It represents a cornerstone for building a successful academic career.
  • Click here to learn more about the NSF CAREER Award, including eligibility, application guidelines, and the benefits of receiving this prestigious award. 

Tufts holds formal partnerships with American and international institutions and organizations to create interdisciplinary research initiatives and share research ideas and resources. Through this ongoing collaboration, these partnerships offer unique opportunities for greater innovation and scholarship as well as development of a wider network of research colleagues from various disciplines around the world.

Please contact us to learn more about our current university partnerships and how they might support your research goals.