The Office of Faculty Development is excited to announce registration for the Faculty Grant Writing Series, launching this winter. This bi-weekly series is designed to help you strengthen your grant proposals through practical strategies, best practices, and active workshopping.
Please complete the brief survey if you plan to attend the full series or individual sessions (see schedule below).
If you are having any trouble filling out the survey, please contact Simone Willynck, swillync@fredhutch.org.
Series Schedule & Topics
Wednesday, February 11, 2026 – 1:30-3:00 PM
Course Overview, Writing a Compelling Specific Aims Page, Collaborating with Philanthropy Partners & Submission Processes
Course Overview, Writing a Compelling Specific Aims Page, Collaborating with Philanthropy Partners & Submission Processes
Speakers: Mallory Smith and Katrina Welch-Reardon (Foundation Relations Team)
Panelists: Katie Ahlgren, Jaime Hicks and Shama Samant
Understanding grant mechanisms and review processes
Anatomy of the Specific Aims page and targeting RFAs
Anatomy of the Specific Aims page and targeting RFAs
Wednesday, February 25, 2026 – 1:30-3:00 PM
Effective Writing & Scientific vs. Lay Abstracts
Speaker: Deborah Banker
Writing with clarity and purpose
Crafting abstracts for different audiences
Crafting abstracts for different audiences
Wednesday, March 11, 2026 – 1:30-3:00 PM
Significance and Innovation & Biosketches
Speakers: Melissa Vaught and Alysia vandenBerg (ITHS)
Panelists: Bill Grady, Harmit Malik and Burcu Darst
Highlighting the importance of your research
Building strong collaborations and feasibility
Building strong collaborations and feasibility
Optimizing opportunities in Biosketches
Wednesday, March 25, 2026 – 1:30-3:00 PM
Research Strategy
Panelists: Riki Peters, Alice Berger and Hans Peter Kiem
Elements of a strong research strategy
Demonstrating scientific rigor and impact
Demonstrating scientific rigor and impact
Strategizing collaborators
Thursday, April 9, 2026 – 1:30-3:00 PM
ESI Statements & Engagement with Patient Advocates
Panelists: Teri Pollastro, Kaley Karaffa, Marty Chakoian and Jay Mendoza
Maximizing early-stage investigator opportunities
Best practices for patient advocate engagement
Best practices for patient advocate engagement
Wednesday, April 22, 2026 – 3:00-4:30 PM
Maximizing Relationships with Program Officers and Foundations
Speakers: Joanne Elena (ACS), Mallory Smith and Katrina Welch (Foundation Relations)
Identifying other ways to work with Program Officers
Working with Foundation Relations
Wednesday, May 6, 2026 – 1:30-3:00 PM
Grant Resubmissions
Panelists: TBD
Managing updates, revisions, and resubmissions of grant proposals
The importance of being responsive
Wednesday, May 20, 2026 – 1:30-3:00 PM
Non-Score Impacting Elements & Post-Submission; Admin Support
Panelists: Katie Ahlgren, Jaime Hicks and Shama Samant
The importance of teamwork and coordination
Facilities, environment, and equipment sections