Use Research Development to Pursue Large and Complex Federal Funding Opportunities

Federal agencies are shifting funding toward large and complex (L&C), multidisciplinary, and team-based opportunities Explore the Roadmap to learn how to update your research development strategy as a result.

Federal agencies have stopped making large, net-new investments in individual investigator grants. Instead, they have opted to invest more in L&C awards. This means universities must develop a strategy to pursue these opportunities or otherwise risk stagnating federal research expenditures. 

Research leaders agree the number of L&C opportunities has increased, but data limitations make it impossible to see a quantifiable shift in dollars from individual investigator awards to L&C awards. Nonetheless, lagging indicators, such as the number of collaborative awards and agency rhetoric, support the directionality of this perceived shift. By funding more L&C awards, federal agencies can execute on their goals while reducing their own administrative burden.

Universities must begin positioning themselves as competitors for L&C awards several years prior to RFP release. This helps universities ensure they are top-of-mind when the agency writes the RFP and reviews proposals. Two of the most important positioning activities are developing funder relationships and strategic partnerships.

Use multiple levers to cultivate faculty and staff relationships with federal agencies Form partnerships with institutions that complement your strengths or compensate for your weaknesses

L&C opportunities require universities to form interdisciplinary faculty teams. However, structural barriers frequently deter faculty from collaborating. The three biggest barriers are outlined below, along with examples of how research leaders have addressed them.

Although research leaders have invested more in research support over the last decade, may have struggled to create dedicated resources for research teams. This discourages faculty collaboration and prevents teams from effectively managing the proposal…