Team-Based Consulting
Talk to Our Experts
Free Support From Start to Finish!
STAIR is an NSF-supported program with the mission to help institutions strengthen their research administration capacity and advance scientific research. STAIR fosters a community of professionals who provide tailored team-based consulting support for research proposal development, post-award account setup, institutional planning for research infrastructure, training, and much more (customized based on your needs!).
Our multidisciplinary teams, comprising strategists, faculty, research administration subject matter experts (SME), project managers, graphic designers, and other funding specialists, help institutions strengthen their research infrastructure and increase funding success.
Spots are limited, apply today!
Quick Links
– Eligibility
– How to Apply
Work Remotely With Us
What You Can Expect
Choose your plan:
Plan 1
Pre-Award
- Assessment of Institutional Strengths and Needs
- Budget Preparation Assistance
- Graphics and Data Visualization
- Guidance on Compliance Documentation (help with IRB, IACUC, research security, and biosafety requirements)
- External Proposal Evaluation
Plan 2
Post-Award
- Post-award needs assessment
- Award setup and initiation guidance
- Budget and financial management support
- Reporting and sponsor communication
- Project management and workflow consulting
- Closeout planning and support
Plan 3
Customized
- A combination of pre- and post-award support
- Institution-wide research administration capacity building
- Professional development for faculty and research administrators
- Improvements to internal processes and coordination
- Development of sustainable procedures
580 hours of dedicated support, tailored to the specific needs of each team.
Not sure where to start? Meet with us to discuss how STAIR can help you! Send your inquiry to stair@psu.edu or click the button below to send us a message:
Note: STAIR will only provide consulting and resources to develop and improve the proposal and budgets OR provide guidance on post-award logistics (closing and funding allocations-award set up, labor distribution, etc) and engagement with funders, but will NOT be responsible for submitting or managing the grant unless the PI is from Penn State (not required). The PI institution will be responsible for additional compliance checks and submission within the required timeframe.
Eligibility
- Applicants from any institution (academia, small to medium-size business, 501c3) are welcome as long as they can demonstrate lack of/very limited capacity, need for support, a feasible idea, and commitment to participate in the program.
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The projects are discipline-agnostic.
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Support may address any phase of the research lifecycle, including pre-award development, post-award management, or institution-specific research administration needs.
- Projects must be targeting conventional funding mechanisms (e.g., NSF, NIH, DOE, DoW, USDA, Foundations, etc.).
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Team-Based Consulting service really free?
Yes! STAIR was founded with a mission to uplift the research community at all levels. Our team-based consulting services are supported by the U.S. National Science Foundation under Award No. 2419948, so there is no cost to participating organizations.
I’m interested, but I’m not sure if this opportunity is right for my team.
We’d be more than happy to schedule a quick meeting to talk though the best approach for your organization, discuss benefits, and address any questions. Send us a message at stair@psu.edu
What do you do for clients that others don't?
STAIR’s experts are focused on your success. Our subject-matter experts include experienced research administrators, principal investigators, and funding specialists with firsthand experience developing and managing grants. We share practical insights gained through our own work and provide dedicated support tailored to your goals.
With up to 580 hours of support available, your organization can receive meaningful, individualized guidance, and it’s free!
Will this threaten my research administration team?
No, not at all. Your team will retain full control, you’ll submit the proposal and administer the grant. Our role is to provide support, guidance, and suggestions for improvement, and to share our expertise.
We approach this collaboratively and appreciatively. We’re genuinely interested in what your team does well, and we’re equally committed to identifying opportunities for improvement. Our goal is to help your unit succeed. Teams consistently report that they find the process valuable and empowering rather than threatening.
How often will my organization meet with STAIR?
Meeting frequency will be based on your project timeline, including submission deadlines, and your team’s needs. In addition to scheduled meetings, we will provide weekly email updates to keep your team informed.
What software does our team need to participate in consulting?
STAIR will work with your institution’s existing software licenses and preferences. We are flexible and have experience using Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google, and other communication platforms.
Is there a deadline to submit a proposal?
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and applications will be accepted until all available hours are allocated.