Navigate the funding landscape with confidence. Find guidance from our team, sponsor agencies, and key internal and external sources — everything you need to develop and refine a strong proposal.
Letters of Support
If you require a letter of support from OSVCR, please use our request form.
Proposal Training Opportunities
Develop the skills and knowledge to pursue competitive funding at every level. These programs offer structured training to help faculty build expertise in proposal development and research leadership.
- Big Proposal Bootcamp - Pitt's 12-week educational program introduces a small cohort of faculty to the skills they need to excel at large-scale, cross-disciplinary proposals.
- Institutional Training Grants - Pitt's centralized repository of resources, guidance, and support for developing competitive institutional training grant applications.
Develop and Strengthen Your Proposal
From writing and editing to statistical support and data management, these Pitt resources are here to help you build a stronger application. Connect with the expertise you need before you submit.
- Center for Research Computing and Data - High-performance computing, data storage, and technical expertise for research.
- HSLS Data Services - Data discovery, acquisition, and analysis support for health science researchers.
- Office of Research, Health Sciences - Provides health science faculty with proposal development and example proposals.
- Pitt Research Concierge Program - Provides proposal editing, a repository of proposals, and project management services.
- Pitt Writing Center - Supports all manners of writing projects, including cover letters, personal statements, and applications.
- Statistics Consulting Group - Statistical guidance and analytical support for research across disciplines.
- ULS Data Management - Support for developing data management plans for sponsor requirements.
- ULS Writing a Research Proposal - Resources for helping develop research and funding proposals.
Build Partnerships and Expand Your Network
Looking to strengthen your proposal with community or corporate partnerships? These Pitt offices connect faculty with external partners and funding relationships that can add depth and impact to your work.
- Corporate and Foundation Relations - Connecting faculty with corporate and foundation funding opportunities.
- Engagement & Community Affairs - Supporting partnerships between Pitt researchers and community organizations.
Understand Your Sponsors
Our team has developed a library of webinars and resources to help you better understand the goals and priorities of key funding agencies. Explore recordings and materials designed to give you a competitive edge before you apply.
- Meet the Decision Makers - Connect with program officers to gain insight into the application and review processes.
- Pitt Stops - Gain strategic intelligence to prepare for some of the most competitive fellowships and awards available.
Sponsor Resources
Get to know the agencies that fund your work. This section highlights key resources, guidelines, and insights for select sponsors to help you tailor your proposals and navigate their specific requirements.
- National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH)
- National Institutes of Health (NIH)
- National Science Foundation (NSF)
Tools and Databases
A curated set of external tools and databases essential for researching sponsors, understanding funding landscapes, and discovering new opportunities.
- Candid 990s - A database of nonprofit funders' histories, priorities, and financial structure.
- Federal Registry - Track federal funding opportunities and agency announcements such as RFIs.
- Open Grants - Browse hundreds of grant proposals from researchers across disciplines.
- USAspending.gov - Open data source of federal spending, including contracts and grants.