Research/Grant Series

The Research/Grant Series consists of workshops, discussion groups, speakers, and other events that will be of interest to graduate students who are interested in conducting original research. We are interested in expanding this series; if you have ideas for topics, please send your suggestions to graduate.studies@uta.edu. 

Research Series At-A-Glance

Summer 2026 Graduate Fellowship Workshops

Graduate fellowships are the first time that many scholars are exposed to the world of grants and contracts. While this can be an intimidating process for the uninitiated, understanding key points in the fellowship application and review process can help you navigate a path to success. Join our guest speaker, Paolo Mangahas, for two workshops on graduate fellowships:

Navigating Graduate Fellowships

• What is a fellowship and why should I apply for one?
• What are the different types of fellowships and how do I find one that fits my needs?
• What does the application and review process look like?
• What do successful fellowship proposals look like?
• Updates and Q & As

Tuesday, June 2, from 3:30-5:00 p.m. CST, Online

Click here to register for this event.

Writing Compelling NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Proposals

• What is the National Science Foundation and what is its mandate?
• What does the NSF look for in GRF applicants?
• How do you write a personal background and future goals statement?
• How do you write a research plan statement?
• How do you get letters of recommendation?
• Updates and Q & As

Please note: This workshop focuses on the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program, which is available to eligible U.S. Citizens, Nationals, and Permanent Residents. View the full NSF GRFP applicant eligibility criteria here.

Thursday, June 11, 3:00-4:30 p.m. CST, Online

Click here to register for this event.

About the speaker:

Paolo Mangahas serves as director of the Research Education & Training department at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and associate faculty at the MD Anderson UTHealth Houston Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. In this capacity, he oversees the Office for Postdoctoral Fellows and a newly established Training Grants & Fellowships Office. He has served as principal grant writer for several successful proposals to federal, private, and international funding agencies. Over his career, Paolo has worked as a biomedical scientist, pre- and post-award grant manager, and administrator in research and clinical departments. To learn more about Paolo, visit his MD Anderson UTHealth Houston faculty profile.

Previous Events in this Series

Poster Presentation Workshop

Are you attending a conference and would like to learn the best ways to communicate your research to the public? Presented by Dr. Raymond Jackson, Associate Dean of the Graduate School, this workshop is designed to introduce you to the best practices for poster presentations. 

Intro to Pivot 

Pivot is a subscription-only database of funding opportunities that is available to UT Arlington graduate students. It is an indispensable tool for managing deadlines, finding research collaborators, and creating a personal profile. In this workshop, you will learn how to create/claim your Pivot profile, perform searches targeted to your research interests and discipline, and set up an email digest so you stay up-do-date on the latest funding opportunities for which you are eligible.

Introduction to Qualtrics

Does your research include surveys? Attend this workshop to learn the basics of Qualtrics and how it can make creating, distributing, and analyzing data easier.

Introduction to Research Design

Are you interested in beginning a research project? Not sure how to organize your research so that the process is orderly, focused, and reproducible? This workshop will look at the best practices in beginning and constructing your research project so your study is accurate and contributes to your field in a substantial way. Also, if you plan to apply for the I Engage Mentoring Program this workshop will help you construct a summer research experience for your mentee. 

Getting Started - How to Compete for Funding as an Independent Researcher 

This workshop is for graduate students who plan to pursue grant funding to support their research as either faculty or researchers in industry. Guest presenter Lucy Deckard will cover:

• Developing your research agenda
• Identifying and getting to know potential funders
• Positioning yourself for success
• Planning your project
• Grantsmanship

About the speaker:

Consultant Lucy Deckard worked in research development at Texas A&M University for 8 years, most recently serving as Associate Director of the university's Office of Proposal Development. 

She has helped to develop and write successful proposals to NSF, NIH, the Department of Education, the Department of Defense, and other agencies and foundations, including proposals for large institutional and center-level grants. 

In addition, she directed the university's New Faculty Initiative, helping new faculty to jump start their research by helping them to identify funding opportunities, develop a strategy for pursuing funding, understand funding agencies, and learn how to write competitive proposals. 

Before joining Texas A&M, she worked as a research engineer in industry for 16 years, obtaining funding from DoD, DARPA and the Department of Energy.