Medical College of Wisconsin
Medical College of Wisconsin Cancer Center

Research Development Unit

The Research Development Unit is staffed by a pre-award grants team that helps investigators identify funding opportunities and prepare and submit competitive grant applications for research funding.
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Mission and Vision

Our mission is to increase MCW Cancer Center investigators’ funding success rate by connecting them to resources and providing comprehensive support through the entire pre-award process.

Our vision is to contribute exceptional research development support in the MCW Cancer Center’s quest to eradicate cancer.

 

 

Two researchers in laboratory conducting an experiment

Goal and Responsibilities

The goal of the Research Development Unit is to provide administrative coordination and editorial and scientific expertise that will improve the odds of your application being funded.

Key responsibilities include:

  • Program projects (P01s)
  • Training grants (T32s, R25s)
  • Single-PI grants (R01s, ACS Scholar)
  • Cancer Center Support Grant (P30 CCSG)
  • IIT protocols

Closeup view of researchers holding smear with computer display in background

Successful Proposals

The Research Development Unit team meets with investigators, their collaborators and department, and the MCW Grants & Contracts Office to support the preparation and submission of grant proposals.

Part of this process is understanding an investigator's capabilities, interests, and aspirations. Understanding where investigators fit into the Cancer Center research picture and their history and plans for obtaining funding is key to successful grant submission.

Team Members

Brian Chung, PhD
Director of Programmatic Grants Development
Assistant Professor of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology

Roger Johnson, PhD
Science Writer
Associate Professor of Biophysics

Heather Clift, PhD
Research Grants Coordinator

Olivia Koehn, PhD
Medical Writer

Vanessa Ehlers, PhD
Medical Writer

Get Started on Your Grant Proposal

Please complete the following questionnaire regarding your grant proposal to the best of your ability. After reviewing your request, a member of the Research Development Unit will set up a meeting to discuss your needs and establish a plan to accomplish your grant funding goals.

Complete the questionnaire

Categories of Support

The level of support we can offer depends on many factors, especially time allotted. When considering the timeline for your grant proposal, please take into account that support for administrative components can be completed more quickly than scientific components (see list below).

Scientific Components

  • Specific Aims
  • Research Strategy
  • Project Summary/Abstract
  • Project Narrative
  • Introduction to Application (Response to Reviewers)
  • Vertebrate Animals
  • Authentication of Resources
  • Select Agent Research

Human Subjects Components

  • Inclusion of Individuals Across the Lifespan
  • Inclusion of Women and Minorities
  • Recruitment and Retention Plans
  • Inclusion Enrollment
  • Protection of Human Subjects
  • Study Plan and Timeline

Administrative Components

  • Budget Justification
  • Biosketches and Personal Statement
  • Facilities and Other Resources
  • Equipment
  • Data Management and Sharing Plan
  • Letters of Support
  • Resource Sharing Plans
  • MPI Leadership Plan