At the University of Arizona, Research Development Services (RDS) is helping faculty navigate an increasingly complex funding landscape. RDS proposal development associates Meg Bennett and Brian Heinze exemplify the depth of expertise and strategic guidance that has made the unit one of the most robust research development teams in the nation. The RDS proposals team holds some of the most specialized proposal development expertise on campus, providing high-level technical review. 

The RDS proposals team holds some of the most specialized proposal development expertise on campus, providing high-level technical review. 

Meg Bennett, Ph.D., life sciences RDS specialist

With a specialty in the life sciences, Bennett supports faculty across all disciplines as they seek competitive funding. She says her 15 years as a research scientist shapes the support she offers. “I speak the language of research,” she says. Her scientist's perspective helps her guide faculty in crafting strong aims, refining hypotheses, and framing their work with sponsor acumen. Meg funded the majority of her research career by writing her own grants; these skills translate directly to help faculty seek funding and develop creative proposals. 

Bennett describes her work as three dimensional: strategic planning, proposal development, and teaming support for large, complex projects. By meeting with faculty early in the process, often before a sponsor is selected, she helps them clarify their research vision, identify aligned sponsors, and craft compelling narratives. 

Bennett's experience as a research scientist also informed her creation of a strategic planning tool called the “Funding Roadmap."

Bennett's experience as a research scientist also informed her creation of a strategic planning tool called the “Funding Roadmap,” helping researchers identify their focus areas, assess readiness, diversify their sponsor portfolio, and build a strategic plan for pursuing funding. Faculty across campus have benefitted from this approach, one noting, “the RDS team has been extremely helpful. . . . Meg is always responsive and insightful in her comments and goes above and beyond to provide support.” 

Brian Heinze, Ph.D., physical sciences and engineering RDS specialist

Heinze supports faculty in physical sciences and engineering while bringing a complementary technical and industry-informed perspective. Before joining RDS, he spent more than a decade as an RDS director in startup and early-stage technology companies, where he proposed and managed a range of translation projects, including SBIRs and corporate-sponsored research.  

In his role at RDS, Heinze supports project narrative development and provides full-scale proposal management services. For large, complex submissions, he coordinates schedules, outlines, weekly team meetings, action items, and color-team reviews with subject-matter experts. This structure, he says, “helps allow the PI to stay focused on developing the research vision and work plan rather than the mechanics of proposal development,” helping to prevent last-minute scrambles and enabling a smooth, well-organized competitive submission. 

Bennett and Heinze encourage faculty and staff to strengthen their connections with the communities and industries around them while “prioritizing your wellbeing and values before anything else.”