Research Development Team Services

The RD Team manages a fair and effective process for identifying the most competitive proposals for extramural funding opportunities where the sponsor is limiting the number of proposals/applications an institution can submit. For more information, visit the Limited Submissions page.

The RD Team increases investigator awareness of strategic and relevant funding opportunities through the following resources: 

Funding Opportunity Database (Pivot-RP)

The RD Team manages the institution’s subscription to Pivot-Research Professional (Pivot-RP) a large, comprehensive funding opportunity database that all UCSD affiliates can access and use. Users can run targeted funding searches, set up saved searches, reviewed curated lists of funding opportunities, and more. Get started by watching these brief tutorials: 

• Video 1: Logging in, claiming your profile, and running a search (4 minutes)  
• Video 2: Running a search (extended), sharing a search, and saving a search (15 minutes)  
• Video 3: Bonus features for unit administrators and research group leaders (4 minutes) 

Research Development's Weekly Opportunities Outlook

The RD Team produces the Weekly Opportunities Outlook, containing information on important new extramural and internal funding opportunities, limited submissions, and research funding-related workshops and announcements. Sign up on our homepage to receive the weekly newsletter, and occasional stand-alone announcements about important funding opportunities and resources.

Proposal Resources and Services

Through a SharePoint Library, the RD Team curates a robust collection of resources relevant to proposal development and management. More targeted support may be available for high-priority proposal development and management projects, depending on the Research Development team’s availability. Contact Research Development to inquire. 

Graphic Design Support

RD Graphic Design Services offers appointments (1 hour maximum) to investigators seeking help with graphics for proposals. Read our FAQs here. Visit the SSO-protected RD Graphic Design webpage for handouts, templates, figure examples and more. Contact Research Development to request an appointment.

Principal Investigator Development

We provide and amplify access to workshops, resources, and other professional development opportunities to improve investigator knowledge, skills, and guidance to successfully acquire funding and lead research at all career stages.  
Sign up for the Research Development Weekly Digest to learn about opportunities. Webpage coming soon. 

• UC San Diego General Funding List 
• UC San Diego Biomedical Funding List 

Campus Research Development (RD) Network

The RD Team facilitates the coordination of the UC San Diego RD Network, which connects ORI and school- and department-level RD counterparts in service of our collective goal to create/navigate an ecosystem that supports investigators to be successful in pursuing research funding and leading impactful research. To join the RD Network, contact Research Development.

Learn more about Research Growth and Strategic Initiatives from the Office of Research and Innovation. Of particular relevance to Research Development: 

Internal Funding Programs

We coordinate internal funding programs from the Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation (VCRI) that foster interdisciplinary research collaborations and/or activate the UC San Diego strategic research themes.

The Conafay Group

We facilitate the campus relationship with The Conafay Group (TCG), an external consulting firm available to assist investigators interested in pursuing Department of Defense and other federal biomedical research funding. There is no cost to UC San Diego investigators. Reach out to vcri-initiatives@ucsd.edu for a consultation with TCG.  

Strategic Events and Workshops

We coordinate a range of activities that connect researchers with strategic research partners, stakeholders, and funders. View featured events and workshops.