Grants Resources & Services

PREParation for Appalachian Research Experiences (PREPARE)

The PREParation for Appalachian Research Experiences (PREPARE) is a customized research mentoring program for research-interested junior faculty at Appalachian State University.  Each cohort is introduced to a mentor network which assists these individuals with establishing a realistic research agenda, improving grantsmanship skills, seeking appropriate external funding source, and promoting compliance with internal and external protocols in an effort to increase successful grant submissions. The PREPARE program was initially funded by a grant from the National Council of University Research Administrators (NCURA) in 2017-18.  

PREPARE has provided comprehensive grant development and grant submission training for up to nine junior faculty each from BCHS,  CAS, and FAA during the academic year. Faculty are introduced to a mentor network (scientific, senior, staff, and peer) to support establishing a realistic research agenda, improving grantsmanship skills, seeking appropriate external funding sources, and promoting compliance with internal and external protocols. Participants are required to meet regularly with their peer network throughout the program. Participants should anticipate preparing and submitting a grant proposal within 12-24 months. This program is largely self-paced and designed for the participant who is dedicated to attending the educational sessions and who will dedicate the writing time to write a grant proposal.

Ideal candidates are those not yet a PI on a large grant but are seeking external grant funding.

To see if the application window is open for your college, please visit the InfoReady Review Application Portal here.

In 2020-21 and 2021-22, the PREPARE program has been funded by the ADVANCE APPALACHIAN project.  ADVANCE APPALACHIAN is a project funded by the National Science Foundation that aims to recruit, retain, and promote more women faculty in STEM disciplines at Appalachian State University. The project builds on an existing Inclusive Excellence initiative that is designed to support members of the university community from underrepresented populations.

What participants have to say about the program:

"I’ve found this program really helpful for learning about the resources, skills, and tools needed for pursuing grant opportunities. As a new professor, I had no idea where to start and it is very overwhelming. This program made it feel more understandable and less terrifying."  - Psychology faculty

"Most valuable aspect of PREPARE for me is the mentor. I learn how to do it in the workshops, but to have someone showing me how it is actually done is immensely helpful. So I focus on those interactions." - Chemistry & Fermentation Sciences faculty

"For the first time in my career, I feel like I am equipped with the tools that I need to be successful. Grant writing is an immensely important part of my work. And over the course of this program I have forced myself to commit to the program and follow through. As a result I have discovered that it is much easier to complete and submit a proposal that I had previously thought and dare I say fun." - Chemistry & Fermentation Sciences faculty

For more information about the program, please contact Grants Resources & Services at grs@appstate.edu

Past Participants

2021-22
funded by the ADVANCE APPALACHIAN project  funded by the National Science Foundation
College of Arts & Sciences

Dr. Eduardo de Campos, Chemistry & Fermentation Sciences

Dr. Rachel Bleich, Biology

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2020-21
funded by the ADVANCE APPALACHIAN project  funded by the National Science Foundation
College of Arts & Sciences

Dr. Reagan Breitenstein, Psychology

Dr. Anastacia Schulhoff, Sociology

Dr. Roshani Silwal, Physics & Astronomy

Dr. Christian Wallen, Chemistry & Fermentation Sciences

Dr. Juhee Woo, Sociology

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2019-20

College of Fine & Applied Arts

Dr. Aniseh Bro, Sustainable Development

Dr. Kelly Chernin, Communication

Dr. Karis Foster, Applied Design

Ms. Chelsea Helms, Applied Design

Dr. Lynette Holman, Communication

Dr. Greg Perrault, Communication

Dr. Bert Stabler, Art Education

Dr. Mira Waits, Art

Dr. Rebecca Witter, Sustainable Development

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2019-20
College of Arts & Sciences

Mr. Basset Hamza, Computer Science

Dr. Ercan Oruc Duygu, Chemistry & Fermentation Sciences

Dr. Marc Kissel, Anthropology

Dr. Michael Reddish, Chemistry & Fermentation Sciences

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2019-20
Beaver College of Health Sciences

Dr. Jennifer Buff, Communication Sciences & Disorders

Dr. Jordan Hazlewood, Communication Sciences & Disorders

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2018-19
College of Arts & Sciences

Dr. Emanuele Alves, Chemistry & Fermentation Sciences

Dr. Craig Caldwell, History

Dr. Jackie Hersh, Psychology

Dr. Quinn Morris, Mathematical Sciences

Dr. Folarin Oguntoyinbo, Chemistry & Fermentation Sciences

Dr. Michael Opata, Biology

Dr. Nicholas Shaw, Chemistry & Fermentation Sciences

Dr. Dieter Weber, Chemistry & Fermentation Sciences

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2017-18
funded by a grant from the National Council of University Research Administrator (NCURA)
Beaver College of Health Sciences

Dr. Dana Brackney, Nursing

Dr. Richard Christiana, Health & Exercise Science

Ms. Beth Fiske, Nursing

Dr. Emily Lakey, Communication Sciences & Disorders

Dr. Sandi Lane, Nutrition & Healthcare Management

Dr. Kim McCullough, Communication Sciences & Disorders

Dr. Marco Meucci, Health & Exercise Science

Dr. Kyle Thompson, Nutrition & Healthcare Management

Dr. Becki Turpin, Nursing