By Sheila T. Lischwe, Ph.D., director, Office of Sponsored Programs
The Office of Sponsored Programs is pleased to announce the creation of a new Proposal Development Center (PDC), designed to better position Clemson University to respond to high-value, multidisciplinary grant opportunities. The PDC team will work closely with the university’s Federal Relations Office to identify and prepare in advance for forthcoming grant opportunities that directly advance Clemson’s institutional strengths and priorities. In addition to identifying opportunities, the PDC will coordinate planning discussions with research teams and provide technical writing services for large-scale projects. As time permits, PDC staff will also be available to assist faculty with proofreading/editing services on individual proposals, as well as discuss the best ways to frame a research idea to respond to a particular grant opportunity.
Jane Jacobi, research associate, is the first staff member to come aboard the PDC. A self-described “professional reader,” Jane brings academic credentials in English from St. Olaf College and the University of Oregon as well as 23 years of proposal development and editing experience in Clemson’s College of Engineering and Science to the PDC team. She has worked with faculty to develop successful National Institutes of Health, National Science Foundation, Department of Energy, Department of Defense, Department of Education, Keck Foundation, and Hearst Foundation proposals; served as co-PI on several grants; and managed the funded programs she helped secure. Thus, she brings a unique perspective to the proposal writing process. In her capacity with the PDC, Jane will provide technical writing services and work in collaboration with the PDC team leader, a position that is currently in the recruiting stage. Until the PDC team is fully staffed, individual consultation is available on a first-come, first-served basis for projects with proposal deadlines at least 30 days in advance.
For questions about how the PDC can assist you with proposal development, please contact Jane at jacobij@clemson.edu.
