Academic Research Funding & Grants SME - Freelance

**Location:** Remote (United States) **Duration:** Through April 2027 **Overview** This is a focused advisory role on a funded research study examining how prize competitions and other open-innovation mechanisms are used to fund scientific research. The study investigates both how universities and research institutions perceive and pursue prize-based funding, and what prevents program officers from choosing that mechanism over traditional grants. As the team's authority on how research funding works inside a university, you will bring the insider perspective that keeps the study grounded in the realities of academic decision-making. You are one of four independent specialists working on complementary aspects of the study, coordinated by a project manager. Findings are intended for publication and must meet academic standards of rigor throughout. **Key Responsibilities** - Conduct approximately 25 senior interviews with faculty, principal investigators, research deans, and sponsored research office leadership - Advise on the sampling frame to ensure the study covers a representative mix of institution size, geography, and research discipline - Review and shape interview instruments so questions land correctly with an academic audience - Lead the assessment of how faculty, research staff, students, and sponsored research offices perceive, approach, and utilize prize-based funding, working from the full evidence base gathered by the team - Co-author the guidance document setting out actionable recommendations for engaging academic and other traditionally grant-funded communities through prize competitions - Act as the reviewer of record on academic accuracy across the study's written deliverables **Required Qualifications** - 10+ years inside the academic research funding environment (as a principal investigator, research administrator, sponsored programs director, foundation program staff, or comparable role) - Deep working knowledge of how academic research is funded in the United States: major grant mechanisms, proposal and award processes, sponsored research office operations, and indirect cost structures - Direct insight into how principal investigators and faculty decide which funding opportunities to pursue, and what makes an unfamiliar mechanism worth the risk - Proven ability to conduct substantive interviews with senior academic stakeholders and to write findings up clearly - Ability to make recommendations grounded in evidence and defend them to expert audiences - Excellent written and verbal communication skills - U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident (firm requirement) **Preferred Qualifications** - Experience with prize competitions, challenges, or other open-innovation funding from the recipient side - A peer-reviewed publication record, or prior contribution to published research policy work - Experience across more than one institution type (for example an R1 university and a smaller teaching-focused or minority-serving institution) **Work Location & Requirements** - Must be physically located in the United States for the full duration of the contract and perform all work from within the U.S. - Must be able to successfully complete a standard background check and any onboarding or compliance training required before starting work - Must have a professional, quiet remote working environment with internet connectivity capable of sustained video calls and live presentations - Work is performed fully remotely on a flexible schedule, with the exception of scheduled interviews and team checkpoints - All work product created under this engagement is delivered with full rights of use; candidates with publication interests should raise this at application stage