Strengthening Collaborations for Center-scale Proposals
Call for Applications
Due October 27, 2025
The Office of Proposal Development is accepting applications for a 1-day Workshop on Strengthening Collaborations for Center-scale Proposals.
This all-day in-person workshop equips Principal Investigators (PIs) with the skills and tools to build and sustain strategic research partnerships and to craft competitive center-scale proposals aligned with funder priorities. Participants will learn practical frameworks for initiating and strengthening collaborations, developing effective partnerships across disciplines and sectors, and translating research and partnerships into complex center-level initiatives. The workshop takes a holistic approach, empowering PIs to cultivate diverse partnerships and develop strategies for creating strong and productive research ecosystems. The ideal participant will be a senior faculty member who has led large research teams and would like to pursue center-scale grants.
What You’ll Gain:
- Practical frameworks for building and sustaining strategic research partnerships.
- Strategies for leading effective cross-disciplinary and cross-sector collaborations.
- Tools to align center-scale proposals with funder priorities and institutional goals.
- Approaches for translating collaborations into sustainable, high-impact research initiatives.
The workshop will be facilitated by:
Dr. Priyanka Brunese, Founder & CEO, Saath Partners
Priyanka has over 15 years of experience researching and publishing on partnership and research translation approaches, and enabling effective collaboration across sectors. She has guided global organizations in applying these approaches to design holistic partnership strategies and build collaboration capacity. Priyanka founded Saath Partners to make the practice of partnering more intentional, systematic, and transformative across sectors.
Ms. Pallavi Gupta, Co-Founder & Exec. Dir., Saath Partners
Pallavi is a strategist and systems thinker with deep experience helping researchers and institutions build partnerships that scale. She has led USAID global initiatives, advised governments and donors, and guided universities in translating research into impact across 25+ countries. At Saath Partners, she equips leaders with practical frameworks to create collaborative, high-impact research ecosystems.
Saath Partners is a mission-driven firm that helps institutions translate bold research into real-world
impact through purposeful collaboration. The firm specializes in research impact,
partnership strategy, and systems approaches across academia, philanthropy, and the
public sector.
Eligibility/Certification:
- Be a full-time tenure-track or equivalent SBU faculty member in any discipline at the Associate-level or above
- Demonstrate past collaboration/partnership experience (i.e, academic, governmental, non-profit, community, industry), along with the experience with large grants that fund multi-institutional collaborative research teams, research groups spanning numerous institutions/organizations, or collaborative research teams
- Be available on December 5 for an all-day in-person workshop (no virtual option)
Space is limited. Applications must be submitted by 9AM on Monday, October 27, 2025. Selection Criteria:
Applications will be reviewed by a committee convened by the Office of Proposal Development to assess potential for developing center-level partnerships and pursuing center-level funding opportunities. Selected applicants will be notified by November 7, 2025, and will be required to confirm participation.
Post-selection Requirements:
Because of limited capacity, confirmation of attendance must be confirmed no later than Friday, November 14.
If you are interested in this workshop but are not available the day it is scheduled, email OPD_OVPR@stonybrook.edu and we will reach out if this workshop is offered again.