Office of Research Development

The Office of Research Development (ORD) works with faculty and staff to creatively develop and secure new funding opportunities, increase competitiveness for sponsored research, engage with sponsors (federal and state), support and enable faculty research leaders, and help to build grantsmanship capabilities campus-wide. Click here for our Research Development Services one-pager.

Activities fall into four main areas: grantsmanship consulting and capacity building programs; large-scale proposal consultation and coordination; internal grant programs administration; and strategic research development initiatives as described below, along with the ORD staff and their areas of responsibility.

Research Development Support

1. Grantsmanship Training and Resources 

2. Large-scale Proposal Consultation and Coordination

  • Scouting, agency outreach, networking, strategic development
  • State cost-sharing commitments
  • Government relations (state, federal, agency) coordination
  • Technical writing and editing
  • Collaboration and coordination across Research and Engagement units: UMass Innovation Institute, the Office of Pre-Award Services, and the Office of Post Award Management)
  • Investigator-initiated workshops for early planning/development of potential large-scale proposal opportunities


3. Internal Funding Opportunities and Limited Submissions

The campus offers a range of internal grant programs.

The Office of Research and Engagement administers some of these, including the following programs:

4. The ORD team works to build research capactity in key strategic areas. Past examples include: 

Collaborations Across Campus Units

In addition to working closely on research development strategic planning and direct proposal development support with other Research and Engagement units (UMass Innovation Institute, Research Business Managers Network, Office of Grants and Contracts Administration, and the Technology Transfer Office), ORD works with University Relations, Development and Alumni Relations, Corporate and Foundation Relations, Office of Institutional Research, Institute for Teaching and Excellence in Faculty Development, and academic units via college Associate Deans for Research and Center and Institute Directors to advance the campus research mission. 

Staff Contacts

Loren Walker, M.S., loren@research.umass.edu, (413) 577-3725
Director
Large-scale proposal development, strategic research development initiatives, research networking, research analytics.

Simone Flynn, Ph.D., simoneflynn@umass.edu, (413) 545-9414
Sr. Proposal Development Specialist
Proposal development, faculty research development programs, grantsmanship training and outreach.

Remy Housley, Ph.D., remy.housley@umass.edu, (413) 545-9415
Proposal Development Specialist
Proposal development, faculty research development programs, grantsmanship training and outreach.

Michelle Leonard, M.A., MLS, michelleleon@umass.edu, (413) 545-9739
Proposal Development Specialist

Suzanne Tromara, stromara@umass.edu, (413) 545-3297
Office Manager

Please note: All proposals for sponsored projects must be submitted through the Office of Pre Award Services (OPAS). See OPAS staff contacts by program area.