Research Development at UNT

Accelerating Research Impact

UNT’s Research Development team helps faculty and researchers transform ideas into measurable impact. From identifying opportunities to strengthening proposals and building interdisciplinary collaborations, our mission is to amplify the reach, visibility, and real-world impact of UNT research.

Our Focus Areas

We help researchers identify and pursue funding aligned with their expertise, priorities, and long-term goals. Through opportunity scouting, tailored consultations, and direct engagement with funding agencies, our team ensures UNT faculty stay informed and prepared for success.

Examples:

Taiolred Funding Opportunity Form
Faculty consultations on sponsor alignment and opportunity mapping
Opportunity Sessions with Funding Agencies such as TxDOT, CPRIT, NIH, NEH, NEA, and NSF

We strengthen faculty research competitiveness through intentional skill-building and training. From developing targeted workshops and grantsmanship programs to mentoring early-career investigators, our team helps researchers refine their ideas, understand sponsor expectations, and build lasting proposal development capacity.

Examples of Support:

Research BREAKS and professional development workshops
Grantsmanship and early-career funding programs
Tailored sessions on funding trends, sponsor priorities, and proposal readiness

We connect faculty across disciplines, campuses, and external organizations to spark interdisciplinary projects and large-scale proposals.

Examples:

Facilitating introductions and team-building meetings
Identifying shared research priorities across UNT and UNT Health Science Center
Supporting the launch of interdisciplinary seed grant programs and collaborative initiatives

We cultivate a culture of research excellence and collaboration through events, programs, and recognition opportunities that celebrate and strengthen UNT’s research ecosystem. From large-scale showcases to cohort-based mentoring, these efforts foster engagement and long-term success across all career stages.

Examples of Support:

University Research Day — celebrating student, faculty, and postdoctoral research
Grant Academy and Washington, D.C. Fellows Program — advancing faculty funding readiness through proposal development support and direct engagement with federal agencies
Proposal Manager Collaboration Meetings & Events – Shared learning and professional development for proposal management staff

Our Core Activities

We deliver proactive, capacity-building support that strengthens proposal competitiveness and fosters collaboration across UNT.

• Connecting researchers across disciplines and campuses
• Hosting workshops, trainings, and proposal development programs
• Managing limited submissions and early-career initiatives
• Supporting proposal managers embedded in colleges and research institutes
• Identifying funding opportunities aligned with UNT’s strategic priorities

Our Impact in Action

Research Engagement & Development Impact

Our programs deliver measurable outcomes that strengthen research competitiveness, collaboration, and faculty success across UNT.

University Research Day (2023–2025)

Poster participation grew from ~110 to 350 (200%+ increase)

AI and data science themes rose from <10% to ~40%

Health research more than doubled

Inclusion of the UNT Health expanded interdisciplinary participation

Research Development Programming (2021–2025)

Events and workshops increased from 17 to 69 (305% growth)

Reflects stronger faculty engagement in proposal development and training

DC Fellows Program Outcomes (2023–2024)

23 participants across UNT colleges

Six now hold active external awards

26% secured funding within one year of program completion