Proposal Development Specialist

HU101 The Howard University; United States; On-site; USD 73,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental and vision

Paid time off

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Howard University’s Office of Research is seeking a Proposal Development Specialist to support faculty and research teams pursuing external funding. This role translates ideas into sponsor-responsive proposals, develops outlines, and guides teams through the full grants cycle.

You will work across schools/colleges, coordinate with Sponsored Programs, and help investigators strengthen grantsmanship while building sustainable funding portfolios in a dynamic R1 environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.
• At least three years of progressively responsible experience in research development, proposal development, grant writing, or related areas.
• Experience with federally sponsored programs and understanding of sponsor requirements.
• Ability to interpret funding announcements and translate them into actionable guidance.
• Experience coordinating complex, multi-investigator proposals across disciplines.

Responsibilities

• Provide high-quality proposal development support for an assigned portfolio.
• Collaborate with Research Development, Sponsored Programs, and other units to ensure coordinated service.
• Review proposals for clarity, organization, and alignment with review criteria.
• Maintain records of engagements and prepare periodic activity/outcome reports.
• Support resubmission strategies and sponsor communication as needed.

Skills

Proposal development

Grant writing

Academic research

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

PhD

Tools

Pivot

InfoReady

Grants.gov

Research.gov

eRA Commons

Cayuse

Job description

The Talent Acquisition department hires qualified candidates to fill positions which contribute to the overall strategic success of Howard University. Hiring staff “for fit” makes significant contributions to Howard University’s overall mission. At Howard University, we prioritize well-being and professional growth. Here is what we offer: Health & Wellness: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance, plus mental health support Work-Life Balance: PTO, paid holidays, flexible work arrangements Financial Wellness: Competitive salary, 403(b) with company match Professional Development: Ongoing training, tuition reimbursement, and career advancement paths Additional Perks: Wellness programs, commuter benefits, and a vibrant company culture Join Howard University and thrive with us! https://hr.howard.edu/benefits-wellness

JOB FUNCTION

Howard University’s Office of Research is seeking a Proposal Development Specialist as part of the Research Development and Innovation (RDI) team. The Specialist will provide proposal development support to faculty and research team pursuing external funding. The Specialist will also work across Howard’s research enterprise to help investigators transform promising ideas into clear, compelling, sponsor-responsive proposals and build sustainable funding strategies. This role is well suited for a research development professional, research administrator, or proposal writer who enjoys working across disciplines, engaging directly with faculty, and helping teams communicate the significance and impact of their work. The position offers the opportunity to contribute to proposal development across a broad portfolio of federal and non-federal sponsors while helping strengthen grantsmanship capacity within a dynamic R1 research environment.

NATURE AND SCOPE

Serve as a dedicated proposal development contact for an assigned portfolio of schools/colleges, supporting multiple concurrent engagements against sponsor deadlines. Analyze funding opportunities, sponsor priorities, review criteria, and relevant prior awards to help investigators assess fit and position proposals competitively. Consult with faculty from early concept development through proposal refinement, helping translate research ideas into compelling, sponsor-responsive applications. Provide writing, editing, and organizational support for proposal narratives and non-technical proposal components, including project summaries, management plans, mentoring plans, sustainability plans, education and outreach components, data management plans, budget justifications, and interdisciplinary narratives that integrate contributions across disciplines. Develop outlines, writing plans, templates, checklists, and guidance that help investigators organize strong applications and respond fully to sponsor requirements. Review proposal drafts for clarity, organization, consistency, responsiveness to review criteria and alignment with sponsor expectations, while preserving the author's scholarly voice and technical ownership. Support investigators in developing resubmission strategy, including interpretation of reviewer feedback and development of responsive revision plans. Build sustained working relationships with faculty and researchers and provide individualized consultation on funding mechanisms, proposal readiness, and funding strategy. Identify and share targeted funding opportunities aligned with faculty research interests and goals. Help faculty identify collaborators, institutional resources, and expertise needed to strengthen proposed projects and research teams, and support early-career and established investigators in building competitive external funding portfolios. Facilitate proposal kickoff meetings, concept-development sessions, and writing meetings, and support multidisciplinary and multi-investigator teams through early-stage planning, team organization, and clarification of project goals, investigator roles, and proposal requirements. Contribute to and help deliver workshops, webinars, resources, and other faculty development activities focused on grantsmanship and proposal competitiveness. Contribute to RDI programs such as the Proposal Development Institute, Research Grants Academy, sponsor information sessions, and other faculty-facing initiatives, including sessions and campus visits involving funding agency representatives. Contribute to and maintain reusable proposal development resources, templates, guides, and FAQs, and to unit-level funding opportunity briefings and limited-submission announcements. Collaborate closely with Research Development colleagues, College Research Administrators, schools/colleges, and Sponsored Programs/Pre-Award staff to provide coordinated service to investigators. Support structured internal peer review and provide proposal development support to faculty applicants in intramural funding programs and limited-submission competitions. Maintain current knowledge of proposal preparation requirements and funding trends across federal, foundation, and other sponsors relevant to the assigned portfolio. Maintain records of faculty engagements in designated systems and track submission activity and funding outcomes for the assigned portfolio, preparing periodic activity and outcome reports.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES

Provide high-quality, timely, and faculty-centered proposal development support for an assigned portfolio while handling multiple concurrent engagements and sponsor deadlines. Work collaboratively across Research Development, schools/colleges, Sponsored Programs/Pre-Award, and other Office of Research units to support clear roles, effective handoffs, and coordinated service to investigators. Apply sponsor guidance, review criteria, and research development best practices to strengthen the competitiveness and responsiveness of proposals. Support the integration of all proposal components and help confirm that assigned proposals are complete and responsive to sponsor solicitation requirements in advance of institutional review and submission by Sponsored Programs/Pre-Award. Maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment in handling pre-submission concepts, proposal materials, reviewer feedback, and other sensitive information. Contribute to an RDI culture of collaboration, knowledge sharing, continuous improvement, and commitment to faculty and institutional research success. Perform other related duties as assigned.

CORE COMPETENCIES

Exceptional writing, editing, and verbal communication skills, with demonstrated ability to translate complex research concepts for varied audiences. Strong analytical skills and the ability to interpret complex sponsor requirements and identify implications for proposal strategy. Intellectual curiosity and the ability to engage effectively with research across multiple disciplines. Strong consultation and relationship-building skills, with the ability to establish credibility with faculty, researchers, and research teams. Ability to provide constructive, tactful, and actionable feedback on proposal concepts and written materials. Strong project management and organizational skills, including the ability to handle multiple concurrent proposal engagements and deadlines. Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team-based research development environment. Ability to build consensus and work effectively across academic and administrative boundaries without direct supervisory authority. Strong service orientation and commitment to faculty success, research competitiveness, and institutional research growth. Sound judgment, discretion, professionalism, and attention to detail in handling confidential proposal and institutional information. Proficiency with Microsoft Office and collaborative document platforms, and the ability to learn and effectively use funding databases, sponsor systems, and institutional research administration tools.

WHY JOIN HOWARD

Howard University offers the opportunity to work within a broad, interdisciplinary research enterprise and to contribute directly to faculty success and institutional research growth. The Proposal Development Specialist will engage with investigators across disciplines, build relationships throughout the University, and help strengthen the competitiveness and impact of externally funded research and sponsored programs. Howard University offers a comprehensive benefits package, professional development opportunities, and a collaborative environment committed to excellence in research, education, and service.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution. At least three years of progressively responsible experience in research development, proposal development, grant writing, research administration, scientific or technical writing, sponsored programs, or a related field, including experience with federally sponsored programs. Demonstrated experience developing, writing, editing, reviewing, or coordinating federally funded proposals, other externally funded proposals, or complex professional, scientific, or technical documents. Ability to interpret funding announcements and translate sponsor requirements into clear guidance and actionable proposal development plans. Experience working collaboratively with faculty, researchers, technical professionals, or other subject-matter experts.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Master's degree, PhD, or other advanced degree. Experience in a research-intensive university, academic medical center, federal funding agency, foundation, national laboratory, research institute, or similar research environment. Experience supporting proposals across multiple federal agencies (e.g., NIH, NSF, DoD, DOE, NASA, HRSA, USDA, NEH, IES), as well as foundation, industry, or state sponsors. Experience focusing on interdisciplinary, multi-investigator, training, instrumentation, or other complex proposal mechanisms. Experience providing substantive proposal editing, grantsmanship coaching, faculty consultation, or training. Familiarity with funding databases and proposal/research administration systems such as Pivot, InfoReady, Grants.gov, Research.gov, eRA Commons, or institutional electronic research administration and routing systems such as Cayuse.

COMPLIANCE SALARY RANGE DISCLOSURE

Department: Office of Research / Research Development and Innovation Employment Type: Full-time, Exempt Location: Howard University, Washington, DC Expected Pay Range: $72,727 - $80,000 Compliance Salary Range Disclosure Howard University is a comprehensive, research-oriented, historically Black private university providing an educational experience of exceptional quality to students of high academic potential with particular emphasis upon the provision of educational opportunities to promising Black students. Further, the University is dedicated to attracting and sustaining a cadre of faculty who are, through their teaching and research, committed to the development of distinguished and compassionate graduates and to the quest for solutions to human and social problems in the United States and throughout the world. Howard University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin, sex,sexual orientation,gender or gender identity, marital status, religion, disability or protected veterans status. Veterans and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Inquiries regarding provisions for persons with disabilities or veterans status, Equal Employment Opportunity and Title IX should be directed to the Office of Employee Relations and Equal Employment Opportunity at 202-806-1280. This position description should not be construed to imply that these requirements are the exclusive standards of the position. Incumbents will follow any other instructions, and perform any other related duties, as may be required. The university has the right to revise this position description at any time. This position description is not be construed as a contract for employment.