For Faculty

The Office of Corporate and Foundation Relations (CFR) collaborates with faculty and staff to obtain grants and gifts from foundations, corporations, and nongovernmental organizations to support faculty research, programs, and other institutional priorities/funding needs.

CFR works closely with the Office of Sponsored Programs and Research (OSPR) to prepare and review all funding requests submitted by Clark faculty and staff. We collaborate closely with faculty to guide them through the proposal preparation and submission process, develop proposal narratives and project budgets, and provide institutional information.

Our Services

• Research and identify prospective corporate and foundation funders.
• Review proposals and letters of inquiry (LOIs) to ensure compliance with University policies and funder requirements to make sure there will be no internal issues and that the proposal includes everything the funder is expecting.
• Write, edit, and assist with developing and submitting LOIs and proposals.
• Assist with developing budgets and other proposal materials.
• Provide technical assistance with applications, including compiling institutional information, financial statements, and IRS documents — and provide required institutional attachments and approvals.
• Facilitate interactions and manage relationships with a broad range of foundations and corporations, including discussing and pitching proposal ideas, negotiating agreements and budget details with foundation program officers and industry representatives.
• Provide post-award grant management including reviewing and processing contracts, and coordinating with Clark’s Grant Accounting to process payments.
• Steward grant funding, including assisting with and submitting reports, funder correspondence, and campus visits.
• Organize and prepare briefings for foundation and corporate visits.

Process for Submitting Funding Requests

To get the most benefit out of working with us, please keep the following in mind:

• Contact CFR  before reaching out to funders (we may have existing connections, etc.), and as early as possible before proposal deadlines, to allow plenty of time to meet Clark’s submission requirements and to get the most out of the resources available through our office.
• To guarantee timely submission of your proposal, please submit the final draft of your proposal or letter of inquiry (including budget and other components) to CFR 10 business days ahead of the proposal deadline.
• All applications must include:
  • Internal Grant Proposal Summary Form with all required signatures
  • Financial Conflict of Interest Disclosure Form completed by each Clark person written into the grant
  • Budget and budget narrative
  • Final narrative
  • Draft of any required letter of support or a coversheet that must be signed by the dean of research.
• All requests for funding require the approval of Yuko Aoyama, dean of research; CFR director; and OSPR director before they are submitted. The CFR office coordinates with OSPR during the grant proposal review and submission process to ensure that both the funder and Clark requirements are met, and that Dean Aoyama has approved submission.
• Many Clark departments have a grant coordinator. They are an invaluable resource, and are familiar with Clark’s proposal review process and institutional requirements.
  • Sarah Shampnois, Biology
  • Meghan O’Rourke, Chemistry
  • Stephanie Jennings, Education
  • Pamela Dunkle, Marsh Institute
  • Sujata Davis, Physics
  • Mira Ormsby, Psychology