Academic Research Funding & Grants SME - Freelance

Location: Remote (United States) • Duration: Through April 2027

About the role

This is a focused advisory role on a funded research study examining how prize competitions and other open-innovation mechanisms are used to fund scientific research. The study investigates both how universities and research institutions perceive and pursue prize-based funding, and what prevents program officers from choosing that mechanism over traditional grants. As the team's authority on how research funding works inside a university, you will bring the insider perspective that keeps the study grounded in the realities of academic decision-making. You are one of four independent specialists working on complementary aspects of the study, coordinated by a project manager. Findings are intended for publication and must meet academic standards of rigor throughout.

Responsibilities

• Conduct approximately 25 senior interviews with faculty, principal investigators, research deans, and sponsored research office leadership
• Advise on the sampling frame to ensure the study covers a representative mix of institution size, geography, and research discipline
• Review and shape interview instruments so questions land correctly with an academic audience
• Lead the assessment of how faculty, research staff, students, and sponsored research offices perceive, approach, and utilize prize-based funding, working from the full evidence base gathered by the team
• Co-author the guidance document setting out actionable recommendations for engaging academic and other traditionally grant-funded communities through prize competitions
• Act as the reviewer of record on academic accuracy across the study's written deliverables

Requirements

• 10+ years inside the academic research funding environment (as a principal investigator, research administrator, sponsored programs director, foundation program staff, or comparable role)
• Deep working knowledge of how academic research is funded in the United States: major grant mechanisms, proposal and award processes, sponsored research office operations, and indirect cost structures
• Direct insight into how principal investigators and faculty decide which funding opportunities to pursue, and what makes an unfamiliar mechanism worth the risk
• Proven ability to conduct substantive interviews with senior academic stakeholders and to write findings up clearly
• Ability to make recommendations grounded in evidence and defend them to expert audiences
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident (firm requirement)

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with prize competitions, challenges, or other open-innovation funding from the recipient side
• A peer-reviewed publication record, or prior contribution to published research policy work
• Experience across more than one institution type (for example an R1 university and a smaller teaching-focused or minority-serving institution)

Work Location & Requirements

• Must be physically located in the United States for the full duration of the contract and perform all work from within the U.S.
• Must be able to successfully complete a standard background check and any onboarding or compliance training required before starting work
• Must have a professional, quiet remote working environment with internet connectivity capable of sustained video calls and live presentations
• Work is performed fully remotely on a flexible schedule, with the exception of scheduled interviews and team checkpoints
• All work product created under this engagement is delivered with full rights of use; candidates with publication interests should raise this at application stage