SuRE Resource Center Site Visit

Advancing FDU’s Research Capacity through the NIH SuRE OSP Seed Grant

Hosted by the Office of Grants & Sponsored Projects (GSP)

Fairleigh Dickinson University has been awarded an Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP) Seed Grant through the National Institutes of Health Support for Research Excellence (SuRE) program, administered by the University of Kentucky through the NIH SuRE Resource Center.

This award supports targeted activities designed to strengthen Fairleigh Dickinson University’s research development infrastructure and expand faculty competitiveness for National Institutes of Health funding.  As part of this award, representatives from the NIH SuRE Resource Center will visit Fairleigh Dickinson University on March 30–31, 2026 to engage with university leadership, faculty, and graduate students through a series of strategy discussions, workshops, and individualized consultations focused on NIH funding mechanisms, proposal development, and research career pathways.

Why this matters for the FDU Community

These sessions provide faculty and students with direct access to NIH research development expertise, guidance on funding pathways, and opportunities to strengthen proposals and research trajectories aligned with NIH priorities.

This on-campus engagement reflects a significant opportunity for Fairleigh Dickinson University to work directly with national experts in NIH research development, gaining tailored guidance to strengthen institutional research infrastructure and support faculty pursuing National Institutes of Health funding.

Faculty and students are encouraged to review the sessions below and participate in those aligned with their research interests and career stage.

What You Will Gain from Participating

Participants in these sessions will have the opportunity to:

  • Receive direct guidance from national experts in NIH research development on proposal structure, eligibility, and funding pathways.
  • Strengthen research proposals and funding strategies through individualized consultations, cohort development, and proposal diagnostics.
  • Learn how to navigate NIH funding mechanisms and research careers, including pathways for early-stage investigators and graduate researchers.

Featured Expert

Dr. Brett T. Spear
NIH SuRE Resource Center, University of Kentucky

Dr. Brett T. Spear works with institutions across the United States to strengthen research development infrastructure and support faculty pursuing National Institutes of Health funding.  You can read more about Dr. Spear’s work here. Through the NIH SuRE Resource Center, he provides guidance on proposal development strategies, institutional research capacity building, and pathways for emerging investigators seeking NIH support.  The NIH SuRE Resource Center has supported more than 607 institutions nationwide, helping universities strengthen their research ecosystems and expand participation in NIH-funded research.

During this visit, Dr. Spear will engage with Fairleigh Dickinson University leadership, faculty, and students through strategic discussions, faculty development sessions, and individualized proposal consultations.

This engagement reflects Fairleigh Dickinson University’s continued commitment to expanding its research enterprise and strengthening faculty participation in the national biomedical and behavioral research community.

Strategic Engagement Sessions

Sessions are designed to advance and strengthen Fairleigh Dickinson University’s institutional research capacity, supporting faculty development for NIH funding, and engaging university leadership, faculty, and students in strategic discussions on research competitiveness and proposal development. Details about these sessions can be found here.