Faculty Writing Accelerator: Crafting Competitive Grant Proposals for any Discipline (2026)
Accelerate your research funding success in this focused, faculty-centered grant writing cohort. Building on the success of our Faculty Writing Accelerator: 12 Weeks to Publication, the Centre for Research & Innovation Support (CRIS) is pleased to offer faculty the opportunity to build their grant proposal writing practice in a supportive learning environment that offers peer-to-peer group-accountability.
Designed for faculty seeking to refine and elevate their grant proposal writing skills, this program features expert guest speakers, peer-to-peer working sessions and dedicated co-writing time. Over eight weeks, participants will engage with proven strategies and hands-on exercises to craft persuasive, fundable proposals, navigate funding agency expectations, and strategically position their research projects for maximum impact and fundability.
Whether you’re preparing for your first grant or your twentieth, this accelerator will equip you with the tools and confidence to succeed.
Program Objectives:
- Develop Values-Driven Research Proposals: Guide faculty in generating research ideas rooted in personal and disciplinary values, using reflective exercises.
- Strengthen Proposal Structure and Clarity: Equip participants with tools to create compelling one-page summaries, articulate clear research pitches, and align proposals with funder expectations.
- Demystify Funder Requirements: Help faculty interpret and respond to proposal guidelines.
- Design a Cohesive and Convincing Research Plan: Support participants in framing their research within scholarly literature and developing a clear, feasible plan that demonstrates methodological rigor and impact.
- Foster a Sustainable Writing Practice: Encourage consistent writing habits through co-writing sessions, peer accountability, and project management practice.
- Cultivate Peer Review and Feedback Skills: Create opportunities for faculty to give and receive constructive feedback, strengthening proposal quality and collegial support.
- Promote Interdisciplinary Collaboration and Community: Build a cross-disciplinary network of faculty engaged in research development and grant writing excellence.
Program Structure & Commitments:
Sessions will be hosted on Zoom weekly on Fridays February 6, 2026 – March 27, 2026, from 10:00am-12:00pm EST. The final session on March 27 will be held in person at the CRIS Collaborative Space at Gerstein Information Sciences Centre, 9 King’s College Circle.
Sessions will include a combination of Spark Talks (short talks from peer experts); practical activities to help prompt writing practices; and 1-hr of dedicated co-writing time. Participants will receive a hard copy of Betty Lai’s The Grant Writing Guide: A Practical Guide for Scholars. Pre-reading will be assigned for each session in addition to specific tasks to help propel an intentional and sustainable grant writing practice. Participants should expect to spend an additional 1-2 hours per week preparing for the Friday live sessions.
Barring unforeseen circumstances, participants commit to attending all sessions.
Program At-A-Glance:
- Week 1 Online.
Friday February 6, 2026, 10:00-12:00 EST
Generating Values Driven Research Questions - Week 2 Online.
Friday February 13, 2026, 10:00-12:00 EST
Creating Your Pitch. Develop a One-Page Summary - Week 3 Online.
Friday February 20, 2026, 10:00-12:00 EST
Deconstructing Funder Requirements - Week 4 Online.
Friday February 27, 2026,10:00-12:00 EST
Creating a Guide for Your Reviewer – Mapping Your Literature Review - Week 5 Online.
Friday March 6, 2026, 10:00-12:00 EST
Research Plan - Week 6 Online.
Friday Mar 13, 2026, 10:00-12:00 EST
Writing Session - Week 7 Online. Option Session this week
Friday Mar 20, 2026.
Optional co-writing time 10:00-12:00 EST - Week 8 On Campus.
Friday March 27. 10:00-12:00 EST
Giving and Receiving Feedback
Lunch & Co-writing time
Requirements for Participation:
Full-time, continuing tenure-stream faculty who would like to improve their grant writing practice and build their network of peers across the University. The program is appropriate for faculty across disciplines, career stages, and funding opportunities. Program enrollment will be capped at 20 participants.
Application Process:
Interested faculty should register their interest through EVE by November 28, 2025.
Communicating Results:
We thank all faculty who apply. All applicants will be notified by email by mid-December 2025.
Date/Time:
Fridays, February 6, 2026 – March 27, 2026
Key Benefits:
- Establish regular writing habits
- Clarify arguments and claims, align with funder expectations
- Learn practical tips and strategies to enhance your proposals
- Gain supportive group accountability to counteract the isolation of writing
- Develop strategies for giving engaged, useful feedback to others
- Learn other discipline’s writing conventions
Who should apply?
Full-time, continuing tenure-stream faculty who would like to improve their grant writing practice
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