RD Scholars
Grant Writing Summer Workshop
Enhance your grantsmanship and take the next step toward a competitive proposal through RD Scholars, a multi‑week summer workshop sponsored by the Research Development, Training, and Engagement (RDTE) division at Southern Miss. This structured professional development program is designed to support faculty across all disciplines as they strengthen grantsmanship, refine research ideas, identify appropriate funding opportunities, and develop proposals for submission.
RD Scholars is designed to train faculty for career grantsmanship. Through guided instruction, peer review, and sustained writing support, participants will engage in both synchronous and asynchronous learning activities that foster collaboration and accountability. By the conclusion of the program, all RD Scholars will be positioned to submit a complex grant proposal by the end of Academic Year 2026-27. Application Deadline: April 22, 2026
I found the program immensely beneficial. What I would have given to had the RD 20 years ago! I am very, very grateful to have had the opportunity.
Professor Oscar "Danny" Lee, Associate Professor, College of Nursing and Health Professions
RD Scholars will take place June 1-July 10, 2026. Faculty participants will meet weekly, with a mix of synchronous virtual sessions and independent work completed between meetings. By the end of the six-week workshop, RD Scholars will complete a Project Narrative, Abstract, Budget, and Budget Justification (document names will vary depending on the sponsor).
RD Scholars are expected to finesse their proposal and develop other required documents beyond the summer until the proposal deadline. The Office of Research Support & Development (ORSD) will offer priority service to RD Scholars through their proposal submission.
During the summer workshop, faculty are expected to devote 10 hours per week for six weeks. A typical weekly schedule will be as follows:
- Monday: Attend synchronous virtual instruction via Microsoft Teams, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. CDT (3 hours)
- Thursday: Submit weekly writing assignment to peer-partner; Conduct peer-review of partner’s writing sample (1 hour)
- Friday: Meet synchronously for peer-to-peer feedback (1 hour); Submit weekly writing assignment to instructor
- Monday-Friday: Write proposal and work on the week’s assignment (5 hours)
RD Scholars will receive specialized proposal tools and resources, and an instructor will provide rapid, written feedback on all assignments.
Faculty from all disciplines are encouraged to apply. Participation will be limited, and an application process will be used to select faculty participants. Faculty are required to provide a letter of support from their Associate Dean for Research to participate in RD Scholars.
Faculty who participated in the RD Scholars program in 2025 are not eligible to apply.
At the time of application, all applicants must identify a funding opportunity that they will be writing for during the 2026 Grant Writing Summer Workshop. IF YOU NEED ASSISTANCE FINDING A FUNDING OPPORTUNITY, PLEASE CONTACT THE RDTE TEAM VIA EMAIL OR SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT IMMEDIATELY.
Additionally, each proposal in the RD Scholars program must meet all of the following minimum requirements:
- Proposal deadline must occur before the end of Spring Semester 2027.
- The proposal project must include a Graduate Assistant (GA). If the grant budget cannot support the tuition, ORSD will assist with the tuition waiver request process offered through the Graduate School.
- The proposal must include USM’s full Facilities & Administration (F&A) rate unless the sponsor has a written requirement for a reduced rate, provided the rate is not 0%.
- The grant budget must be a minimum of $75,000 in total costs.
Note: We understand that grantsmanship lives in a state of flux and uncertainty. If at any point an RD Scholar is considering changing the proposal that they are developing, we require that they have a conversation with RDTE (orsd-rdte@usm.edu) to determine if it continues to align with the RD Scholars' requirements.
- Grantsmanship and proposal training
- Career development
- Contribution to faculty Tenure & Promotion dossier
- Engagement and collaboration with faculty across disciplines
- Campus-wide recognition
- Happy hour once a semester in AY 2026-27
- Priority service by ORSD in AY 2026-27
- $500 for successful completion of 2026 RD Scholars workshop
- $1,000 upon submission of proposal that meets all minimum requirements
Applications are due by 11:59 p.m. CDT on April 22.
Acceptance notifications will be sent on May 1.
Additional information and requirements can be found below and within the application
materials.
Before You Apply
Completing the application will take approximately 30–60 minutes. To successfully
complete the application, please ensure you have completed the following steps in
advance:
- Review a PDF copy of the application questions to help you prepare.
- Identify a funding opportunity with a submission deadline occurring prior to the end of Spring Semester 2027.
- Discuss your participation in RD Scholars with your Associate Dean for Research and obtain the required reference letter.
- Review your Summer 2026 plans to confirm you can fully participate in the grant writing workshop. The workshop schedule can be found in the Workshop Details section of this website.
- Retrieve a recent writing sample for upload.
- Review a PDF copy of the application questions to help you prepare.
Let us take you To The Top!
We recognize that grant writing can feel intimidating. Faculty with any level of interest in RD Scholars are encouraged to connect with the RDTE team — either by reaching out via%20email or by scheduling an appointment — to learn more and determine whether this opportunity is the right fit.