October 1, 2026, 12-1pm EDT.
Research administrators and facilitators often meet faculty members when they have a promising idea but no proposal draft. This session presents a practical process that combines coaching questions with a Grant Proposal Canvas to help principal investigators organize their ideas into a clear proposal framework in less than an hour. The coaching questions guide the conversation by helping faculty clarify the research problem, objectives, significance, methods, team, expected outcomes, and fit with the funding opportunity. As the PI responds, the research administrator captures the key points on the one-page Grant Proposal Canvas. This combined approach helps turn an early-stage conversation into a structured proposal outline while also identifying gaps that need further development.
Research administrators and facilitators often meet faculty members when they have a promising idea but no proposal draft. This session presents a practical process that combines coaching questions with a Grant Proposal Canvas to help principal investigators organize their ideas into a clear proposal framework in less than an hour. The coaching questions guide the conversation by helping faculty clarify the research problem, objectives, significance, methods, team, expected outcomes, and fit with the funding opportunity. As the PI responds, the research administrator captures the key points on the one-page Grant Proposal Canvas. This combined approach helps turn an early-stage conversation into a structured proposal outline while also identifying gaps that need further development.
Participants will see a demonstration of the process and practice using the coaching questions and canvas with a sample case. They will leave with a repeatable method they can use with both first-time and experienced applicants. No prior coaching experience is required.
Presented by: Rana Mustafa, PhDRana Mustafa, PhD, is a Research Facilitator with the University of Saskatchewan’s College of Engineering and an ICF-certified leadership and Positive Intelligence coach. Her research facilitation work includes Tri-Agency funding programs, industry partnerships, and international collaborations. She applies professional coaching methods in her day-to-day work with faculty, helping researchers clarify ideas, strengthen proposals, and move projects forward.
Beyond research facilitation, Dr. Mustafa supports displaced and immigrant scientists in moving beyond the “quiet expert” mindset. Through leadership development, Positive Intelligence, and personal branding, she helps scientists build confidence, resilience, and professional visibility so that their expertise can be recognized, valued, funded, and applied.
Her work on self-leadership and personal branding is featured in her chapter, “Trailblazing Through Adversity: The Power of Self-Leadership and Personal Branding for Displaced Women Scientists,” published in the 2024 book Evolution of Leadership in STEM: Women Catalyzing Change.
Her contributions have been recognized through the 2023 Newcomer Rising Leader Award (Toronto), the 2024 Immigrant Woman Resilience Award (Saskatoon), and the 2026 University of Saskatchewan Excellence in Research Administration Award.
Event Date: 01 Oct 2026 | City: | Venue: Online