Vermont EPSCoR and the Vermont Biomedical Research Network (VBRN) joined efforts to reach out to faculty across the Vermont research ecosystem and conduct an in-person research, grant writing workshop (GWW) held at Saint Michael’s College on September 26, 2026. Part of the half-day workshop included presentations by VT EPSCoR Director, Dr. Bernard “Chip” Cole and VBRN Director, Dr. Christopher Francklyn, who provided attendees with an overview of NSF EPSCoR and NIH INBRE VBRN funding opportunities.
 
There were over 60 faculty from across Vermont in attendance!

The event included VBRN Thematic Group Meetings, a panel discussion with faculty from primarily undergraduate institutions that have been successful in competing for NSF and NIH research funding titled: Tips from PUI faculty for obtaining external research funding, incl. NIH & NSF (Panelists: Drs. Jennifer Crodelle and Alexis Mychajliw, Middlebury College, and Dr. Mark Lubkowitz, Saint Michael’s College) as well as two informational sessions on federal research/opportunities by UVM speakers listed below.
 

1. “Current national research priorities and trends in the federal funding landscape” with Dr. Ingrid Barcelo, Research Development, UVM
2. “NSF EPSCoR state and federal funding opportunities" with Dr. Bernard “Chip” Cole, Director, Vermont EPSCoR, Vermont Space Grant & NASA EPSCoR, UVM

Much of the workshop was dedicated to mini “mock study section” panels to evaluate 1–2-page abstract or pitch papers that summarized their future grant applications. Each applicant was linked to a group that included both their peers and two experts from UVM and network institutions in the topical areas of biology, chemistry, exercise science, neurodevelopment, and human behavior. The panelists reviewed abstracts with all applicants present so that they could obtain real-time feedback on their work. Thirty faculty submitted pitch papers, which were reviewed by 18 faculty reviewers across nine review groups!
 
The workshop agenda may be found on the VBRN events calendar.
 
Thanks to Heather Driscoll, Research Assistant Professor of Biology, Norwich University, and VBRN Program Coordinator & Data Science Core for her contributions to the workshop and the information gathered for this news article!