For Faculty and Administrators

By offering experience, contacts, and context, CFR can assist and guide you through the proposal process in a manner that can increase the likelihood of your proposal’s success with corporations and foundations. To learn more about what CFR has to offer, please read our Frequently Asked Questions.

  1. What type of projects can CFR help with?
  2. Should I get in touch with CFR even if I don’t need help with my proposal?
  3. Are there specific corporations and foundations that I must contact CFR about prior to applying for funding?
  4. What other funding resources are available at Brown?

Q. What type of projects can CFR help with?

A. The Office of Corporate and Foundation Relations (CFR) primarily dedicates its fundraising efforts to the academic priorities of the Plan for Academic Enrichment and other $500,000+ projects that have been designated institutional priorities by the President or Provost. These projects tend to be interdisciplinary in nature, involving faculty, researchers, and administrators from departments and divisions across Brown. For these projects, CFR provides a comprehensive set of services, including but not limited to:

  • Prospect identification and research
  • Inter- and multi-disciplinary team identification and coordination
  • Proposal coordination and development
  • Planning and staffing for on- and off-campus site visits
  • Editing and writing support for letters of inquiry and proposals
  • Help securing institutional approval and letters of institutional support
  • Assistance gathering institutional information and materials
  • Editing and preparation of stewardship reports for awarded grants

For other projects, CFR can provide a limited set of services including:

  • Prospect research
  • Editing and writing support for letters of inquiry and proposals
  • Help securing institutional approval and letters of institutional support
  • Assistance gathering institutional information and materials
  • Editing of stewardship reports for awarded grants

Q. Should I get in touch with CFR even if I don’t need help with my proposal?

A. Yes. CFR should be an early point of contact when approaching private corporations or foundations for the following reasons:

  • Some foundations and corporations place restrictions on the number of applications an institution may submit. CFR is aware of many pending and funded grants that may be jeopardized by unsolicited proposals.
  • Many foundations and corporations have strict guidelines that must be followed in order for grants to be considered. CFR can help you customize your proposal to fit the required specifications.
  • CFR is aware of many existing relationships between University personnel and foundation/corporation staff. CFR can work with you to maximize these connections and strengthen these relationships.
  • All Brown proposals must be approved by the Office of Sponsored Projects (OSP) prior to submission. CFR can help guide you through this process and point you to the appropriate contact person at OSP.

Q. Are there specific corporations and foundations that I must contact CFR about prior to applying for funding?

A. Yes. Corporations and foundations contribute $25 - $40 million to Brown each year, and Brown has longstanding relationships with a number of these organizations. In order to both maximize the likelihood of your success and minimize the likelihood of competing internal grants, please contact CFR as soon as possible if the donor you intend to submit a proposal to is on our current List of Corporations and Foundations to Review with CFR.

Q. What other funding resources are available at Brown?

A. CFR coordinates its efforts with a number of offices on campus to ensure that faculty and administrators receive support on a full range of proposal types. Our affiliated offices include:

The Office of Sponsored Projects (OSP): OSP supports Brown University faculty and departmental administrative staff in the acquisition and administration of projects and programs funded from sources outside the University. OSP is the central point of coordination for sponsored projects and the University’s authorized representative for grants, contracts, and other agreements. OSP can help faculty seek and obtain external funding, submit proposals, administer awards, and comply with all University and sponsor policies.

The Office of the Vice President for Research (OVPR): OVPR assists faculty in all of their research activities, including proposal preparation, pre- and post-award management of grants and contracts, and transferring research into the commercial market. OVPR can also help secure seed funds for promising projects. A list of funding opportunities including seed funds, faculty research awards, departmental research funds, and restricted external opportunities can be found on the OVPR website.