Programs and workshops

Early Career Researcher Workshop Series

This workshop series features topics relevant to early career researchers throughout the year. Topics include developing your research agenda, communicating your research, introduction to grant writing and managing research teams. Each session is interactive, and participants can expect to leave with clear and actionable next steps.

2026 Spring Semester 

Communicating Your Research
Feb. 20, 9 a.m.-noon (Bond Life Sciences Center, Room 171)

During this session, Division of Research professional development and communication teams will lead investigators in developing a marketing plan for sharing their research with a variety of audiences. Facilitators will share resources and best practices for:

• Creating a personal brand.
• Communicating research to campus and the public.

Participants also will hear from a panel of researchers who have been successful in marketing their research in unique and interesting ways.  

Status: Registration is open. Registration deadline: Feb. 16

2026 Spring Semester 

Postdoc Hiring, Mentoring, Separation and Policy Pitfalls
March 4, noon-1 p.m. (via Zoom)

This webinar is designed for faculty members who supervise and/or mentor postdoctoral researchers. It will provide essential guidance and insights on key aspects of postdoc hiring and management, including:

• Eligibility criteria.
• Minimum salary requirements.
• Appropriate job titles and position codes.
• Annual evaluations.
• Training in mentoring for both postdocs and their supervisors.
• Policies on postdoc termination.
• Visa considerations for international scholars.
• Benefits and services available to support the well-being and professional growth of postdoctoral researchers.

Status: Registration is open.
 

Using Generative AI in Grant Proposal Development
March 17, noon to 1 p.m. (via Zoom)

Participants will learn ways that generative AI tools can aid in the proposal development process. We will explore:

• Implications around ethics.
• Funder requirements to disclose use of AI.
• Resources available through our institution.

The session will close with a Q&A panel of campus experts.

Status: Registration is open
 

Foundation Funding 101
April 15, noon-1 p.m. (via Zoom)

Explore the basics of foundation funding with Donna Van Pelt, executive director of foundation relations in Mizzou Advancement. Participants will learn:

• Key differences between public and private funding.
• How to think strategically about foundation proposals.
• What resources the Foundation Relations office offers.

The session also will cover what to include in an effective two-page concept paper for potential funders.

Status: Registration is open.
 

Preparing Your Sponsored Projects for Promotion and Tenure
May 8, noon-1 p.m. (via Zoom)

Are you new to Mizzou? Is it almost time for your promotion and tenure process? Would you like to understand sponsored projects reporting in more detail? It's never too early to gain more information!

Hansa Magee, director of research analytics, and Brenda Cook, administrative consultant in the Office of the Provost, will offer tips for faculty interested in saving time and avoiding headaches when reporting their grant activity for promotion and tenure.

They will cover:

• Timeline and submission materials.
• Sponsored projects terminology.
• Common issues and solutions.
• Self-service reporting
• Q&A (feel free to send questions ahead of time to hansa.magee@missouri.edu)

This session will be recorded and posted on the Division of Research Professional Development website. 

Status: Registration is open

The PI Leadership Program is intended to help principal investigators learn best practices and avoid common pitfalls in project management, meeting grant deliverables and team effectiveness.
 

Spring 2026 program (virtual)

• April 6 at noon-1:30 p.m. (Zoom), Welcome and PI Responsibilities
• April 7 at noon-1:30 p.m. (Zoom), Building Successful Teams
• April 8 at noon-1:30 p.m. (Zoom), Project Planning and Administration
• April 9 at noon-1:30 p.m. (Zoom), Partnerships, Engagement and Dissemination
• April 10 at noon-1:30 p.m. (Zoom), Resources and Support

Status: Registration is open | Registration deadline: March 31
 

Sign up to be notified about future programs.

The Division of Research hosts writing retreats throughout the year to provide a quiet place for researchers to read, write and think in community with other scholars. The Professional Development team is available during retreats for individual researcher consultations and in-the-moment writing feedback and support. 

Spring 2026:

• Feb. 12 at 9:30 a.m. - 3 p.m., Bond Life Sciences Center, Room 171
• March 16 at 9:30 a.m. - 3 p.m., Bond Life Sciences Center, Room 171
• April 24 at 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Conley House
• May 19 at 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Bond Life Sciences Center, Room 171
• June 8 at 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Bond Life Sciences Center, Room 171

Register for a spring semester retreat.

Join a four-day intensive grant writing retreat and boot camp. Bring a funding request, and our team will walk you through the process of developing a responsive proposal. Topics include writing strong introductions, representing your research trajectory, building strong narratives, using images and charts strategically and more. There will be plenty of writing time and opportunities for individual support from the Division of Research team as you work on your proposal.

Status: Summer 2026 dates will be announced soon.

This in-person program includes two sessions hosted by The Connector. It is intended for those who provide or are interested in learning more about providing youth (K-12) programming on a University of Missouri System campus. We will discuss best practices for youth protections and developing quality programs, including:

• Pre-camp logistics
• Age-appropriate activities
• Engaging with youth
• Day-of-program management
   

SESSION 1 (Thursday, Feb. 5, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Bond Life Sciences Center, Room 572)

Learn about youth protections and resources for quality programs. Participants will have the chance to incorporate best practices in their current or future programming during active work time, and the hosts will share feedback to strengthen programs.

Lunch will be provided.

SESSION 2  (Thursday, March 12, 1-3 p.m., Bond Life Sciences Center, Room 572)

Participants will continue program development in this follow-up session.

Status: Registration is closed.

Contact Christal Huber at hubercd@missouri.edu with questions.

Mizzou's NSF CAREER Club

Mizzou's CAREER Club is designed to help eligible researchers submit or resubmit a competitive application to the National Science Foundation (NSF) CAREER Program. Club participants receive training, support and proposal coaching throughout the process — from first draft to submission in July. 

See eligibility requirements and 2026 program schedule.

Status: Registration is closed. To inquire about late registration, please email muresearchprodev@missouri.edu.

This six-week hybrid program helps faculty at all stages reframe their research, identify new funding streams and adapt to shifting federal priorities. Participants explore federal, foundation and industry funders; create funder-aligned concept papers; receive personalized coaching; and develop a tailored funding strategy. Includes expert-led sessions, peer review and follow-up writing support. All participants will receive an individualized research landscape report. 

Status: Registration is closed. 

Fall 2025 program dates:

• Oct. 1 at 1:30 - 3:30 p.m. (in-person), Visioning and Reframing
• Oct. 9 at 1:30 - 3:30 p.m. (virtual), Federal Landscape
• Oct. 15 at 1:30 - 3:30 p.m. (virtual), Foundation Funding
• Oct. 28 at 1:30 - 3:30 p.m. (virtual), Industry Funding
• Nov. 4 at 1:30 - 3:30 p.m. (in-person), Opportunity Mapping
• Nov. 10 at 9 a.m. - noon (in-person), Writing Concept Papers

Sign up to be notified about future programs.