BU DOM Proposal Editing Service | Scott Wilson, Senior Editor
The BU DOM has launched a proposal editing service, with an aim to ensure that our faculty are supported from early draft through to final draft when writing research proposals to prospective sponsors. Through this process, BU DOM hopes to support faculty across all sections as they craft responsive, persuasive, and high quality descriptions of their research potential. A priority area for this service is early- to mid-career investigators (for example, those who are trying to secure RO1s, RO3s, or grants of similar stature). All faculty are welcome and encouraged to engage with this service.
Scott Wilson, senior editor, is available for editing requests by emailing him at sewilson@bu.edu.
Scott has experience and understanding of a wide range of prospective sponsor requirements and RFAs, having worked in research grant management and proposal preparation for European and US sponsors. He can provide consultations with you at every stage of your grant writing process, to help you secure Federal, Foundation, and other types of funding.
How to work with Scott on your research proposal:
- Email Scott at sewilson@bu.edu, with a short description of your request. Please include the deadline you are aiming for!
- Scott will then send you a short questionnaire, which will only take 5 – 10 minutes to complete. This will allow you to include important details about the project that will help Scott tailor his editing to your needs – as well as flag up any concerns you might have with your project.
- Upon receipt of your complete questionnaire, Scott will schedule a call with you. In this first meeting, you and Scott can establish a timeline for your project, discuss unique factors linked to your prospective sponsor (or your project), and touch on any other discussion points you think are relevant to the challenge ahead. It is very common to start with a specific aims page.
- Across a timeline of 3 – 6 months (or perhaps even longer), Scott will work with you on your proposal. You will receive edits and comments that aim to improve your proposal and ensure alignment with the notice of award / requests for applications. Multiple check-in calls can be scheduled as required.
- Prior to your deadline for upload, Scott will help you ensure that your final draft is comprehensive and cohesive and troubleshoot any remaining concerns you may have before you submit your proposal to the sponsor.
Faculty are encouraged to allow 3 – 6 months of time for this process to offer the best value. This means reaching out to Scott early (ideally, at least 3-6 months ahead of your deadline).
We anticipate requests for this service to be high. Scott reports to Dr Salant, Vice-Chair for Research, and manages his portfolio of work accordingly dependent on researcher need & prospective deadline. Although all requests will be considered, priority will be given to those researchers who request the service at least 3 – 6 months ahead of deadline. Should demand be extremely high, a prioritization rubric will be implemented, with details shared to BU DOM faculty in an update.
