Grant Writing Academy

The Grant Writing Academy is a mentored program for doctoral students and postdoctoral scholars who want to pursue external research funding. It takes participants from a research idea to a competitive application, with structured writing, faculty mentoring and individual feedback. The Academy is offered by the Graduate School and the Office of the Vice Provost for Research and Scholarship (OVPRS).

The Spring 2027 Academy has two parts. The first is a half-day grant-writing workshop in January 2027, open to all graduate students and postdoctoral scholars. The second is a six-month Academy, February through July 2027, for selected fellows. Fellows write a complete proposal one section at a time, with monthly Saturday writing sessions supported by Hanover, the Writing Center, methodologists, the Office of Research Administration (ORA) and individual GPS consultations. Hanover reviews each proposal’s scientific content in June, and fellows revise in July. Fellows must submit to NIH, NSF, IES or another sponsor by their sponsor’s deadline, and no later than August 31, 2027.

• Introduce how reviewers evaluate proposals and how to choose a funding mechanism and deadline that fit your readiness
• Build grant-writing skills through structured writing, peer review and expert feedback
• Prepare and submit a complete, competitive proposal for external funding

At the time of application, individuals must:

• Be a UM doctoral student in your second year or later, or a UM postdoctoral scholar, with a defined research project
• Identify a funding opportunity you are eligible for, with a deadline no later than August 31, 2027. Examples are an NIH F31 or F32 in the August cycle, or an open NSF, IES, foundation or other sponsor program. OVPRS verifies the opportunity and your eligibility.
• Have a faculty mentor who commits to the mentor agreement.
• Attend the January workshop, the Hanover workshop and all monthly Saturday writing sessions.
• Complete one proposal section each month, review your peers’ drafts, and complete the preprogram and exit surveys.

Led by experienced  trainers from across the University of Miami, the 2027 University of Miami Grant Writing Academy topics and group session dates are:

The application deadline is December 1, 2026. Decisions will be communicated by December 15, 2026.

To apply, submit a one-page research abstract, your target funding opportunity, a half-page statement of intent, and a current CV.

The Graduate Dean, in consultation with the Vice Provost for Research and Scholarship, selects the cohort. Reviewers consider project readiness, fit with an eligible funding opportunity, faculty mentor support, and whether the applicant can realistically submit a proposal on time.

For questions or additional information, please contact the Graduate School (graduateschool@miami.edu) 

 Apply Now!