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Grant Consulting

The Office of Research has contracted with Hanover Research, a grant development firm headquartered in 
Arlington, VA, to provide grant consultant services to UTHSC faculty. 

Through their review process, Hanover grant consultants provide key insights into funder priorities and recommendations for improvement, increasing the competitiveness of grant proposals to federal agencies and to private and non-profit foundations. 

Hanover Grantsmanship Training

Training webinars and on-site workshops conducted by Hanover Research consultants.

You will need to enter your Net ID and password to gain access.

Learn More

Hanover Services

Hanover is allowed to review a proposal twice, based on any combination of services outlined below. Two-week leadtime is required; more leadtime allows the maximum opportunity to work with your Hanover reviewer to refine your proposal.   

Hanover reviews for each proposal can be any combination of: (1) margin comments on the narrative draft with recommendations on aligning the proposal to the grant opportunity’s guidelines and funder’s expectations; (2) a brief memo outlining high-level recommendations; and (3) a debrief teleconference call with a Grants Consultant.

 

Consultations

Consultations are an excellent option for PIs seeking advice on how to frame a research project to match a funder’s priorities. Please request phone consultations at least one-week prior to the desired date.

Three types of consultation:

    • Unfunded Proposal Consult: For resubmitting a previously declined proposal, addressing reviewer feedback and other critiques within the rewrite.
    • Research Design Consult: For guidance on how to pitch a research idea to a program officer.
    • Grantseeking Strategy Consult: For expert advice on framing a research idea to align with a funder’s strategic priorities.
Proposal Review Services

Proposals will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.

Standard review: 10 business day turnaround when faculty confirms to Hanover the date they will send the proposal draft to the assigned grants consultant.

Expedited review: 5 business day turnaround when faculty confirms to Hanover the date they will send the proposal draft to the assigned grants consultant.

 

See graphic of Expedited Proposal Support.

Proposal Review Services offer emailed prescriptive feedback, competitive assessment, strategic guidance, key findings, and phone consultation upon request.

Prospecting Research

Hanover can help identify and evaluate grant opportunities via a comprehensive scan for public and private grant opportunities that align with your needs. They provide a customized report profiling grant opportunities, detailing alignment, and providing proposal guidelines. Allow 4 weeks for prospecting research services to be completed.

Grantsmanship Training and Workshops

Hanover Grants consultants provide training webinars throughout the year. Each spring at UTHSC, a Hanover Consultant conducts a 2-day, on-site training that includes 
one-on-one grantsmanship consultations to faculty. 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I Request Hanover’s Services?

To request Hanover’s services, please contact Jamie Whartenby at jwharten@uthsc.edu

How does Hanover work with each PI?

After a proposal is accepted, Chris Gray from Hanover Research introduce you to your assigned grants consultant via email. Hanover will then schedule a project initiation conference call. During the initiation call you may discuss specific areas of concern. Once the grants consultant finishes the review, you may request a debrief conference call.

Hanover offers two waves of review/consultation, what does this mean?

Two waves can include any combination of services: (1) two phone consultations; (2) one phone consultation and one proposal review; (3) two proposal reviews.

Does Hanover have experience with a wide range of funders?

Yes, Hanover has experience with many federal, private, and nonprofit funders. Representative funders include the NIH, NSF, DOD, PCORI, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

What types of grants will Hanover work with?
Hanover works with many different grant mechanisms including individual grants (e.g. K, R0I, R21, R03), program project grants, 
center grants, institutional training grants, new submissions, 
resubmissions, and competing renewal applications. Hanover will not review grants for internal competitions.
What parts of a research proposal will Hanover critique?

Hanover’s proposal critiques primarily focus on the narrative components of a research proposal (specific aims 
page, research strategy, and - for resubmissions - the introduction). Hanover also reviews facilities and resources, biosketches, resource sharing plan.

Will Hanover be reviewing the underlying science/scientific merit of my proposal?

Grant consultants are not subject matter experts who can evaluate the specific science
 of a research proposal. They seek to achieve cohesion in the grant narrative and to align the proposal with funding requirements. A
 Hanover grants consultant may address general scientific elements of a proposal, such as:

  • Construct or structure of the hypothesis and methodology: While Hanover does not provide 
“scientific reviews”, its grants consultants will flag 
areas where they think research questions, aims, and hypotheses could be strengthened and better aligned.
  • Literature review: Hanover grants consultants will note places where a citation is needed.
  • Clarity and focus: If narrative content lacks sufficient clarity, consistency, or rigor,
 Hanover grants consultants will pose questions to encourage the PI to verify the science, and/or suggest a 
review by a senior colleague or program officer.
Who can use Hanover's services?

You must be a faculty member with a primary appointment at any UTHSC campus to use Hanover's services.

Is there a fee associated with using Hanover’s grant consultation services?
No, Hanover’s services are generously supported by the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research.
What documents am I required to submit to Hanover?

For proposal reviews, submit the abstract, specific aims, and research strategy.

For resubmissions of unfunded proposals and
 competing renewal applications, PIs will be asked to provide a copy of the original submission along with reviewers’
 comments (e.g., summary statement).

How far ahead must I request Hanover’s services? What is the turn-around time for Hanover to get my proposal back to me?

Standard review: 10 business day turnaround when faculty confirms to Hanover the date they will send the proposal draft to the assigned grants consultant.

Expedited review: 5 business day turnaround when faculty confirms to Hanover the date they will send the proposal draft to the assigned grants consultant.

See graphic of Expedited Proposal Support.

How does Hanover protect the confidentiality of PI materials?

Hanover uses secure file-sharing via encrypted email. If the PI desires another layer of protection beyond encryption, please provide this information when Chris Gray from Hanover makes his initial contact.

Will Hanover provide copy editing services for my proposal?

No, editing proposal content for clarity and effective use of language, (including punctuation and grammar) is not included in Hanover’s services. These services are available through the UTHSC Office of Scientific Writing.

Can you tell me more about the Hanover Research?

Established in 2003, Hanover Research is a consulting firm based in Arlington, Virginia that provides grant development and market research solutions to education and healthcare clients across the United States. Hanover’s grants professionals provide customized research, training, and proposal support to clients, while also helping to align their needs and strategic priorities to federal, state, and foundation funding opportunities.

Hanover’s grant professionals have collectively more than 150 years of grantsmanship experience
 that cuts across a wide range of foundations and federal agencies. Hanover has worked extensively with higher education institutions to grow their research portfolios and has helped clients to secure more than $500 million in
 awarded grants. The company’s grants practice supports both junior faculty members and seasoned investigators seeking to
 strengthen their grantsmanship skills. 

For more information, visit hanoverresearch.com 

Who do I contact if I have questions?

Please direct questions to Jamie Whartenby, Director of the Office of Research Development at jwharten@uthsc.edu or 901.448.1277. 

Aug 16, 2022