UND to offer STEM grant-writing course starting this fall
Starting this fall, the University of North Dakota will offer a new graduate-level course designed to prepare students for success in the competitive world of STEM research funding. This course constitutes a pioneer approach for faculty experienced with research to provide insights on grant applications with the students community.
Titled “Writing Proposals for STEM Grant Opportunities,” the course will be offered through the Department of Space Studies in the John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences.
Headed by Marcos Fernandez-Tous, assistant professor of Space Studies, this hands-on course will guide students through the complete grant-writing process and provide them with the opportunity to develop their own proposals.
From identifying funding opportunities to drafting and refining proposals, students will receive expert feedback from experienced researchers and special guest collaborators. The course is structured to help participants develop real proposals tailored to their research interests, setting them on a strong path toward future funding success.
“This course is not just about learning to write proposals,” said Dr. Fernandez-Tous. “It’s about empowering our students with practical tools, mentorship, and the confidence to pursue competitive funding opportunities in STEM fields.”
A collaborative and sustainable Initiative
This inaugural offering, coordinated by Fernandez-Tous, is designed to become a recurring fall course with rotating leadership from faculty members across the School of Aerospace Sciences. Built up around a collaborative model, it ensures that students benefit from diverse perspectives, expertise and mentorship. Faculty across the school have already expressed enthusiasm for contributing to the course in future semesters.
Given the complexities of securing STEM research funding, the course acknowledges that there is no one-size-fits-all approach and aims to provide tailored guidance to each case. By drawing on the collective strength of UND’s research community, the program aims to cultivate a campus culture where grant writing is not only a learned skill but also a shared commitment to research excellence.
“We want to create a sustainable, school-wide initiative that evolves with the needs of our students and the funding landscape,” noted Marwa Majdi, a research assistant professor in the Department of Atmospheric Sciences. “By bringing in different instructors and collaborators each year, we ensure that students always receive fresh insights and relevant strategies.”
How the course works
Students will either bring a grant announcement of interest or identify one within the first two weeks of the semester. Since proposal deadlines often extend beyond the course duration, the course evaluation will be adapted to student’s project timelines. Proposals with submission dates beyond the semester will be assessed based on their level of maturity by the end of the course.
Additionally, students may work on pre-proposals, including white papers and subcontract opportunities, depending on their research interests. Team proposals of up to five members will also be permitted, and students are encouraged to consult with their advisors to determine the best approach for their program.
“We understand that research timelines and proposal calls vary,” said Fernandez-Tous. “That’s why we’ve designed the course to be flexible and inclusive of different funding paths, whether a student is preparing an NSF grant or collaborating on a subcontract.”
Integrated, expert-led instruction
The course offers a comprehensive overview of the grant submission process, making for a well-rounded experience. Special guest collaborators, recognized for their extensive research expertise, will provide insights into key topics such as writing skills, data management, AI utilization, project management, IRB protocols and the use of submission platforms like Novelution.
While various campus webinars and courses address these topics individually, this course uniquely integrates them into a single structured program, providing students with a complete grant-writing toolkit. These expert-led sessions will be brief — limited to 20 minutes — ensuring that most of the class time is dedicated to drafting and refining proposals.
“We’re bringing together the critical components of proposal writing into one cohesive course,” said Majdi. “Students won’t just hear about best practices, they’ll put them into action with real-world applications.”
Supporting UND’s R1 research mission
The launch of this course comes at a pivotal time for the University of North Dakota’s recent designation as a Very High Research Activity (R1) institution in February. As UND expands its research capacity, strengthening graduate student’s grant-writing skills is essential to increase UND’s competitiveness for research funding, ultimately contributing to North Dakota’s growing contributions to cutting-edge areas of technology and innovation.
“We’re proud to contribute to UND’s R1 momentum by equipping the next generation of researchers with the skills needed to bring their ideas to life,” said Fernandez-Tous. “This course aligns with our broader mission to support student success and fuel innovation across the state and beyond.”
When, where and how to enroll
The course will be available in both synchronous and asynchronous formats. Live sessions will be held in person and online on Mondays and Wednesdays from 11:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. An asynchronous option will also be offered, with a weekly chat session for student questions on Tuesdays from 8 to 9 p.m.
Students and faculty interested in learning more are encouraged to contact Marcos Fernandez-Tous. Faculty who would like to collaborate in this project are encouraged to reach out, as well.