To further strengthen proposal competitiveness, Marshall partners with The Implementation Group (TIG), a nationally recognized research development and evaluation firm. Founded in 1994, TIG specializes in proposal review and development, helping educational institutions, coalitions, and nonprofits secure federal and private sector grants. Their expertise lies in aligning client strengths with funding opportunities, preparing competitive proposals, and supporting successful implementation and evaluation.

TIG is contracted to:

1. Provide broad-based proposal development and review services.
2. Offer targeted assistance to early-career investigators.

More information may be found here: TIG-MU-services.pdf and by contacting Dr. Suzanne Strait at straiho@marshall.edu

For additional grant writing assistance, see WVCTSI and Research/Grants Development resources.

SOM faculty have the option to apply for bridge funding to support competitive (scored), but unfunded, grant applications. These awards provide resources necessary to address major critiques and allow faculty to resubmit.  While financial support can be provided, SOM will also consider requests for other resources (equipment, consultant support, etc.)

The bridge funding application can be found here: BRIDGE Funding Grant Application Form Survey.

The School of Medicine provides the following standing or semi-regular pilot funding opportunities:

Edwards Foundation Cancer Research Fund: For projects exploring cancer research. The application window generally opens annually during the summer. Additional information can be found here: What We Fund - Edwards Foundation Inc. Please monitor SOM communications for announcements.

Aging Research Pilot Studies: For projects exploring research related to aging.  Please monitor SOM communications for periodic calls.

WV Clinical & Translational Science Institute: SOM provides pilot funding through the WVCTSI for projects that explore the specific health care needs of West Virginia. General information regarding past and current funding opportunities can be found here: Funding | West Virginia Clinical & Translational Science Institute

Previous programs funded through CTSI include:

• Open Competition: $50,000 to support clinical and translational pilot projects related to WV health disparities.
• Bench-to-Bedside: $50,000 to support basic scientist/clinician collaborations
• Jumpstart: $10,000 for short-term pilots
• Launch Grant: $50,000 to support projects with commercialization potential

Not all programs will be available at all times.  Faculty are encouraged to join WVCTSI (Join Now | West Virginia Clinical & Translational Science Institute) and monitor communications.

Biostatistics: For assistance with biostatistical calculations, please contact Dr. Rajan Lamichhane at lamichhaner@marshall.edu.

WVCTSI: Through WVCTSI, Marshall faculty have access to a range of services, including

• Clinical Research Services
  • Principal Investigator Academy (Principal Investigator Academy | West Virginia Clinical & Translational Science Institute)
• Community Engagement and Outreach
  • Ambassadors for Community Health Research ( Ambassadors for Community Health Research | West Virginia Clinical & Translational Science Institute)
  • WV Practice-Based Research Network ( West Virginia Practice-Based Research Network | West Virginia Clinical & Translational Science Institute )
  • Project ECHO (Project ECHO | West Virginia Clinical & Translational Science Institute)
• Data, Analytics, and Research Design Services (Data, Analytics, and Research Design Services | West Virginia Clinical & Translational Science Institute)
  • Biostatistical Consulting
  • Clinical Data Sets
  • Data Exploration and Capture Tools
• Educational Opportunities (Professional Development | West Virginia Clinical & Translational Science Institute)
  • K/R03/R21/R01 and Resubmission Writing Groups
  • Editorial Services for Publications
  • Professional Development Opportunities/Services
  • Mentorship Development Program ( Mentorship Development Program | West Virginia Clinical & Translational Science Institute )

For additional information and to request services, please visit the WVCTSI website: Resources and Services | West Virginia Clinical & Translational Science Institute

Mentorship: Faculty may participate in the Advancing via Individualized Mentorship (AIM) Academy of Mentoring, additional information can be found here: Advancing Via Individualized Mentorship

SOM is also in the process of implementing the Research ASPIRE Program.  Additional details can be found here ( research-aspier-8-28-2025_webpage.pdf ).  Please monitor SOM communications for future announcements regarding full implementation.

Research/Grants Development: The MURC Grants Development Office provides end-to-end proposal development services to increase faculty and staff participation and overall grant success. Our offerings include:

• Training in grantsmanship
• Locating grants to support projects
• Building relationships with funders
• Developing internal and external partnerships
• Managing timelines for grant applications
• Reviewing and editing proposals
• Writing and submitting applications (Non-Technical)

For additional information, please visit the Grants Development website ( Grants Development Office - Marshall University Research Corporation ) or contact Jenn Griggs at griggsj@marshall.edu

Information regarding upcoming trainings at the Research Corporation, as well as available online trainings, can be found here: Trainings & Resources - Marshall University Research Corporation

Student Development: To build skills early, MURC offers an Annual Student Training Series—a five-part virtual program designed to unlock the power of grant writing. Each 30–45 minute session includes live Q\&A and covers practical strategies for identifying funders, crafting persuasive proposals, and applying insider tips that distinguish successful applicants. Whether students are new to grants or refining fellowship applications, this series provides career-boosting skills that extend far beyond the classroom.

Funding Opportunities: In addition to traditional funding avenues, such as Grants.gov and NIH grant bulletins, MURC maintains a number of funding opportunity databases (Find Funding - Marshall University Research Corporation), including GrantForward (GrantForward Search Engine | Search for federal grants, foundation grants, and limited submission opportunities) which allows faculty to search for funding opportunities and create customized recurring searches.  In addition, faculty can search for collaborators within or beyond Marshall by clicking the “Researchers” tab ( GrantForward Search Engine | Search for federal grants, foundation grants, and limited submission opportunities )

Research Software: Marshall University offers access to a range of Artificial Intelligence tools (Generative AI - Generative AI at Marshall University) including Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat (Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat - Generative AI at Marshall University )

Office of Research Integrity: For information on the protection of human and animal subjects, please see Marshall’s Office of Research Integrity: Office of Research Integrity.  Access to the IRBNet system can be found here: IRBNet and information regarding Marshall’s CITI training offerings, including FCOI and human subjects can be found here: Education/Training – Office of Research Integrity

Publications: The Marshall Journal of Medicine is published quarterly, additional information can be found here: Marshall Journal of Medicine | Marshall University