Rethinking Your Research Funding Course
This four-week virtual course is designed to help faculty shift their mindset around research funding and explore sustainable, alternative strategies beyond large federal grants. Through guided content, live coaching, and a supportive peer community, participants learn how to identify diverse funding sources, reframe their research for new audiences, and build actionable plans that align with their institutional goals and academic mission.
Whether you’re facing budget cuts, working in a discipline with limited grant options, or seeking a more practical funding approach, this course will help you move from uncertainty to clarity and momentum.
What makes this course different?
Unlike the typical grant-writing workshops or one-time webinars, this course offers a structured, faculty-centered approach to long-term funding success.
Built Around Your Research
We help you adapt your project to funding—not the other way around.
Actionable, Not Theoretical
You’ll leave with a concrete plan, not just ideas.
Faculty-Led and Realistic
Designed by academic leaders who understand the time pressures and resource gaps faculty face.
Complementary to Campus Support
This course amplifies what your research office offers, by preparing you to make the most of it.
Meet the Funding Experts Behind the Course
Sabrina Noel, PhD
Associate Professor
University of Massachusetts – Lowell
Area of Expertise: Industry Funding
Connie Yowell, PhD
Senior Advisor to the Provost
Northeastern University
(formerly with the MacArthur Foundation)
Area of Expertise: Philanthropic Funding
Franco Montalto, PhD
Professor
Drexel University
Area of Expertise: State and Local Funding
Jolie Sheffer, PhD, FSP Coach
Associate Dean
Bowling Green State University
Area of Expertise: Pivoting Your Research
Why This Course?
This course was built to address a gap in how faculty are supported in securing research funding, especially when traditional pathways like large federal grants aren’t an option. It’s designed to help you reframe your approach, uncover new sources of support, and move forward with clarity and momentum:
- The Alternative Funding Landscape – Get a clearer picture of non-federal options, what different funders prioritize, and how their expectations differ from traditional grants.
- Rethinking Your Funding Approach – Shift your mindset from chasing one large award to building a flexible strategy that fits your research goals.
- Cultivating Funder Relationships – Learn how to connect with new partners, communicate your work to non-academic audiences, and build trust with potential funders.
- Strategic Planning & Mentor Map – Create a practical plan and identify key collaborators, mentors, and allies to support your funding search.
- Institutional Value – Complements existing research office support and builds capacity across faculty at scale.
Rethink What’s Possible with Grant Funding
Finding funding in today’s landscape takes more than persistence: it takes a new approach. This course helps faculty uncover alternative sources of funding that align with their research and community impact, particularly when traditional funding routes fall short.
Rather than starting with the grant, this course starts with your research goals and builds outward: identifying what’s essential, reframing your project, and building a plan that connects with nontraditional funders—from local governments to foundations and industry partners.
Through self-paced modules, live coaching, and a vibrant online community, participants leave with a clear plan, a renewed sense of agency, and strategies to secure funding in a sustainable, scalable way.
What’s Included in the Rethinking Your Research Funding Course?
Weekly Modules
Bite-sized video and written content on funding mindset, opportunity search, plan creation, and application strategy.
Kickoff Webinar
Live orientation to connect with instructors, peers, and the course structure.
Live Group Coaching
Dedicated time to ask questions, get feedback, and refine your funding strategy in real time.
NCFDD Community
An exclusive online space where faculty from member institutions connect, crowdsource ideas, and support one another across disciplines.
Strategic Planning Tools
Templates and exercises to help you build a funding plan and mentor map aligned with your goals.
Resource Library
Curated materials on alternative funding types, networking strategies, application tips, and more.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the “Rethinking Your Research Funding” course?
It’s a four-week virtual course designed to help faculty shift their approach to research funding by exploring non-federal sources—such as foundations, local/state government, and industry partners. The course focuses on mindset, strategy, and long-term sustainability over short-term grant tactics.
What makes this course different from traditional grant-writing workshops?
Unlike typical workshops that center on proposal mechanics or federal grant search databases, this course focuses on alternative funding sources and building a sustainable funding strategy. It emphasizes mindset, strategy, and alignment with funder priorities—not just tactics.
Who should take this course?
It’s designed for:
- Faculty at all career stages (tenure and non-tenure track)
- Graduate students preparing for research careers
- Alt-ac scholars and research administrators
- Research staff or staff scientists seeking to diversify research funding
How much time will I need to commit each week?
Participants should plan to spend 2–3 hours per week on a mix of asynchronous modules, activities, and live sessions over the 4-week period.
What’s included in the course experience?
You’ll get:
- Weekly video and written lessons
- 2 live sessions with faculty who have secured funding through a variety of means
- Strategic templates and guided exercises
- A private peer learning community
- Access to a curated library of funding resources
Who leads the course?
Sessions are led by a mix of successful grant-seeking academics and funders themselves. Notable contributors include Connie Yowell, Sabrina Noel, Franco Montalto and Jolie Sheffer, who bring deep insight into both writing and reviewing grants from non-traditional sources.
What if I can’t attend the live sessions?
Live sessions are recorded and shared with participants. You’ll also be able to submit questions in advance if you can’t attend live. This makes it easier to fit the course around teaching, lab schedules, or other responsibilities.
Will I still have access to course materials after the course ends?
You’ll retain access to the course materials after the program ends. However, community moderation and live support will conclude at the end of the 4-week course period.
Do you have the specific dates and times for the live sessions?
The live sessions for the Fall 2025 course are as follows:
- Week 2 Live Session (webinar-format with Jolie Sheffer and Sabrina Noel): Tuesday, October 14, 1:00 – 2:00 PM ET
- Connie Yowell/Jolie Shaffer Q&A (Philanthropic and General/All-Around Funding Focus; “Course-Wide Coaching Call”): Tuesday, October 21, 1:00-2:00 PM ET
- Franco Montalto/Sabrina Noel Q&A (State/Local and Industry Funding Focus; “Course-Wide Coaching Call”): Monday, October 27 from 12:00-1:00 PM ET
How will this course benefit my long-term research career?
You’ll leave with a customized, actionable funding roadmap that reduces reliance on federal funding, builds strategic funder relationships, and enables you to pursue meaningful research over time—without burnout or funding panic.
Can alternative (non-federal) funding really support serious research?
Absolutely. Many foundations and industry partners fund high-impact research—especially when it’s aligned with real-world challenges. These sources often provide more flexible, responsive funding than traditional agencies.
How does this course align with my institution’s research development efforts?
This course is designed to complement—not compete with—your institution’s support structures. It gives faculty scalable tools, peer feedback, and expert insights that enhance what your research office already provides.
What are the options for group or institutional registration?
We offer bulk pricing for institutions registering multiple faculty members:
| Number of Faculty | Discount | Price per Person |
| 5-10 | 5% | $470.25 |
| 11-20 | 10% | $445.50 |
| 21–30 | 15% | $420.75 |
If you’re interested in bulk enrollment, please contact us to coordinate billing and registration.
When does the next course start, and what’s the cost?
The next session begins October 6, 2025. The standard registration fee is $495 per participant. Bulk discounts are available for groups of 5 or more.
When will the next session be after this one?
The Spring 2026 Rethinking Your Research Funding course will take place January 26 – February 22, and the Summer course will take place May 18 – June 14.
Where can I learn more or register?
Full course details and registration are available at:
Related Programs
Institutional Membership
Give your faculty year-round access to productivity tools, mentoring resources, and community support.
Designed for:
Graduate students | Early Career | Alt-ac | Tenure Track | Mid-Career Faculty | Senior Faculty
Campus Workshops
Bring expert-led sessions on funding strategy, time management, and proposal planning directly to your institution.
Designed for:
Early Career Faculty | Alt-ac | Tenure Track | Mid-Career Faculty