Research

EBIKES

Catalyst Immersive

Propel Your Research Forward

Are you a faculty member ready to take your research portfolio to the next level? The Catalyst Immersive, sponsored by the Office of Research and Graduate Studies, is the flagship professional development and mentoring program of our Catalyst Institute designed to help you secure external funding. We'll give you the skills, resources, and support to turn your research ideas into compelling, ready-to-submit grant proposals.

What You Will Gain | Program Timeline & Commitment | Participant Expectations | Schedule | Ready to Apply?

Core Program Components

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Twelve Week Workshop Series

The Catalyst Immersive workshop series runs during the Fall and Winter terms and provides you with the practical knowledge and tools to craft a competitive, review-ready grant proposal. You'll learn from senior faculty, former program officers, and grant specialists through lectures, hands-on writing activities, and group discussion.

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Peer Writing Groups

Collaborate with colleagues in small teams led by experienced faculty coaches. You'll work on drafting sections of your proposal, get constructive feedback from your peers, and receive continuous support through spring and summer as you develop and polish your proposal.

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Dedicated Faculty Coaches

Our coaches are experienced researchers with strong track records in securing extramural funding. They're committed to mentoring you, providing personalized advice, and sharing proven strategies for effective grant writing as you work to finalize your proposal for submission in fall 2026.

 

WHAT YOU WILL GAIN

Catalyst Immersive is designed to provide tangible skills and a lasting support network.  Upon completion, you will be able to confidently navigate the grant-seeking landscape, including:

  • Learning to more strategically position your research to appeal to sponsors and reviewers.
  • Building a robust research support network, both inside and outside PSU.
  • Preparing compelling proposal summaries and narratives that highlight your project’s importance.
  • Gaining deeper understanding of the proposal review process, including the roles of program officers and reviewers.
  • Developing effective strategies to strengthen proposal resubmissions.

As a graduate of the Immersive program, you'll also join an alumni network of Catalyst Fellows, an interdisciplinary, long-term ongoing peer- mentoring community with priority access to Catalyst Academy programming, research development resources and proposal support services.

As a Fellow, you'll have opportunities to:

  • Enhance Your Competitiveness: Refine your grant-seeking skills through advanced workshops and targeted support in the Catalyst Academy.
  • Build Your Toolkit: Access a wide range of resources to support your research from proposal submission through project execution.
  • Strengthen Networks: Connect with program officers and build key relationships with potential funding agencies.
  • Collaborate & Innovate: Foster new connections with faculty across campus to stimulate new research ideas and launch interdisciplinary projects.

 

 

Program Timeline and Commitment

The Catalyst Immersive is a year-long journey from application to proposal submission.  Below are the key milestones and expectations for participants.

Key Program Milestones: 2025-2026

October 10, 2025 - Application Deadline
Submit all required materials via the application portal

Nov 7, 2025 - Feb 27, 2026 - Catalyst Immersive Workshops
Attend 12 weeks of intensive training sessions held every other Friday.

May 1st, 2026 - Submission-Ready Proposal Draft Due
Submit a complete proposal draft to your writing coach for review.

May 15, 2026 - Friendly Reviewer's List Due
Submit a research support network plan and a list of 4-5 potential "friendly reviewers" to Kendra Mingo.

June 15, 2026 - Revised Proposal Draft Due
Submit a revised proposal responding to your coach’s feedback.

By October 31, 2026 - Final Proposal Submission
Submit your polished proposal to the targeted external grant program.

 

PARTICIPANT EXPECTATIONS

To ensure a successful experience for all, participants are expected to fully commit to the program’s activities. This includes:

  • Actively attend all scheduled workshop sessions and weekly writing group meetings.
  • Dedicate time to complete workshop readings, assignments, and meet with your coaches and team.
  • Meet all proposal draft deadlines as outlined in the timeline.
  • Submit your final proposal to an external grant program by the October 31, 2026 deadline.
 

 

IMMERSIVE SCHEDULE

Key Topics:

  • Introductions and Overview of Program Goals
  • Grantseeking is a Learned Skill
  • Building Your Research Support Network
  • Prospecting Tools for Finding Funding

Key Topics:

  • Overview of the Federal Funding Landscape
  • Dissecting Solicitations
  • Writing for your Audience
  • Preparing the Overview or Executive Summary

Key Topics:

  • Designing and Refining Your Budget and Budget Justification
  • Strategies for Competitive Supporting Materials

Key Topics:

  • The Framework: Specific Aims, Overview, Intellectual Merit
  • Significance and Innovation
  • Approach and Research Plan

Key Topics:

  • How to Tell Your Story
  • Communicating with Program Officers

Key Topics:

  • What Happens to My Submission?
  • Mock Review Panel
  • Interpreting Your Reviews, Dealing with Setbacks
  • Applying Grant Competitiveness Strategies
 

READY TO APPLY?


Eligibility

All full-time, PI-eligible tenured, and tenure-track faculty and non-tenure track research faculty at PSU are eligible to apply. Applications from all programs, departments and disciplines are encouraged. 

Application Deadline

5:00 p.m., October 10, 2025

Required Materials

Please prepare the following documents for submission via the Google Form:

  • Statement of Interest (1 page max): A short narrative outlining your (1) motivation for participating in Catalyst, and (2) history with submitting proposals (either as a PI or co-PI) for extramural funding, including a list of successful and unsuccessful proposals submitted in the past five years (2020-2025), formatted as: Year, Sponsor, Program, Proposal Title, Outcome (Funded, Declined, Pending)
  • Curriculum Vitae: An updated curriculum vitae that follows the format provided in Appendix I of PSU's P&T Guidelines.
  • Research Description (1 page max): A short description of your research interests written for a non-technical/non-expert audience. Include a short description of a potential research topic for your proposal and a list of any potential sponsors.
  • Letter of Support from Department Chair:  A short statement from your department chair confirming your eligibility based on appointment status indicating they support your participation and attendance in the 12-week Catalyst program starting November 7, 2025. Extensive and detailed letters of recommendation are not required.
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