Overview

Meet with USC’s Director of Research Advancement and Strategic Initiatives, Dr. Heidi Smith Parker, for practical insights into today’s evolving funding landscape. Tailored for early career researchers, this opportunity offers the chance to ask questions, receive direct feedback on your proposals, and explore strategies for aligning with funder priorities while adapting to new expectations. Whether you schedule a one-on-one session or drop in, you’ll gain clear, actionable strategies to strengthen your proposals and advance your research career.

Heidi Smith Parker, is the Director of Research Advancement and Strategic Initiatives at USC-Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences. Dr. Parker supports ~800 faculty, offering coaching, consulting and editing services for federal grant submissions spanning the US National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Department of Justice, Department of Defense, and Department of Energy. She is passionate about science outreach and thrives in helping faculty design and develop NSF Broader Impacts plans while making connections at USC. Prior to USC, Dr. Parker was a grant consultant for Michigan State University (2015-2017). She has a doctorate in biological sciences from Columbia University where she studied neurogenetics and behavior in nematodes. She pursued postdoctoral research at the University of Texas, Austin in the field of animal behavior and genetics, using frogs. She has nearly a decade of experience in editing and consulting on scientific manuscripts, books, and grant proposals.

Set up a consultation

To take advantage of this opportunity, 1) set up a consultation meeting with Dr. Smith Parker and 2) complete a pre-meeting survey. If you schedule a time through Calendly, be sure to arrive promptly at your appointment.

1. Sign up for a one-on-one meeting via Calendly
2. Pre-Meeting Survey. Complete this short survey before the meeting

If you are not able to schedule a consultation in advance, you are welcome to join during the walk-in hours listed.

Note: All times are Pacific Daylight Time.