A new pilot program led by the Indiana University Center for Evaluation, Policy and Research expands support for IU faculty and researchers as they develop proposals for external research funding.

Evaluation Consulting for Proposals provides high-quality evaluation and/or research plans to give applicants a decisive edge when competing for external funding. The services are provided at no cost to participants and align with the IU 2030 strategic plan pillar to accelerate sponsored research.

The center’s full-time, Ph.D.-level research faculty support the development of thorough and thoughtful evaluation and research plans tailored to the project and the requirements. They have extensive experience partnering on successful grant applications to federal agencies such as the National Institutes of Health, Department of Defense, Department of Education and private foundations. 

Gustavo Arrizabalaga, professor and assistant dean for faculty affairs and professional development with the IU School of Medicine, has worked with the center during proposal development. 

“The expertise and responsiveness enabled us to submit a thoroughly researched and well-crafted NIH R01 application,” he said. “The Center for Evaluation, Policy and Research’s professionalism and knowledge instilled confidence that our proposal can strongly compete for NIH funding.”

Federal agencies, foundations and other funders increasingly note that successful grant proposals require strong evaluation plans. Even when not required, strong research and evaluation plans greatly strengthen the competitiveness of proposals.

“We cannot overstate how invaluable the center’s guidance and support were at every stage of drafting and refining our ideas,” Arrizabalaga said. “The team made the process of preparing our R01 proposal seamless.”

The Center for Evaluation, Policy and Research meets the definition of an independent, third-party evaluator as suggested by the National Science Foundation, U.S. Department of Agriculture and other funding agencies.

To learn more or request support, visit the Evaluation Consulting for Proposals program website, email center directors Anne-Maree Ruddy at aruddy@indiana.edu or Patricia Muller at pmuller@indiana.edu, or email cepr@indiana.edu.