Build ideas that are fundable, measurable, and executable.
I support research projects, theses, dissertations, NIH, NSF, and foundation grants by helping investigators and organizations connect the idea, the research design, the evaluation plan, and the proposal strategy.
Strong proposals are more than strong writing.
My approach is to understand what you are trying to accomplish, identify the strongest and most defensible version of the project, and make sure the methods, evaluation, and narrative support the same goal.
Together, we can work through:
- Research question development
- Grant readiness
- Specific aims and project logic
- Study design
- Methods and analysis plans
- Logic models
- Evaluation plans
- Outcome measurement
- Proposal structure
- Collaborative writing
- Reviewer feedback
- Revision strategy
Experience from both sides of the research process.
I have served as PI, Co-PI, and collaborator on funded research and program-development work involving NIH, NSF, AASP, university, and foundation mechanisms, with more than $700K in funded research represented across my work.
I also understand what happens after funding: implementation, data collection, evaluation, analysis, dissemination, and the inevitable adaptations that occur when a project meets the real world.
For teams that have a promising idea and need a stronger path from concept to execution.
Researchers & Faculty
Competitive grant strategy, research design, methods, evaluation, analysis plans, proposal review, and revision.
Institutions & Nonprofits
Program development, logic models, outcome measurement, evaluation plans, grant readiness, and proposal strategy.
Graduate Researchers
Thesis and dissertation design, proposal development, methods alignment, analysis planning, and feedback on research strategy.
Research strategy, not just proposal editing.
💡 Investigator Perspective
I approach grant development as a researcher who has designed projects, built interdisciplinary teams, submitted competitive proposals, managed funded work, and turned projects into scholarly and applied outputs.
📊 Evaluation Built In
My background in Measurement & Statistics and Program Evaluation helps connect project goals to measurable outcomes, defensible methods, and evaluation plans that make sense.
🔬 Methods Matter
A compelling idea still needs a study that can answer the question. I help make sure the design, measures, analytic approach, feasibility, and narrative are aligned.
🤝 Collaborative Strategy
The strongest proposals reflect the expertise of the team. My role is to ask critical questions, identify gaps, strengthen alignment, and help translate a strong idea into a coherent proposal.
From idea to a coherent, review-ready project.
Understand
Clarify the goal, funder, audience, team, constraints, and current stage of the project.
Challenge
Pressure-test the research question, logic, feasibility, methods, and evaluation strategy.
Build
Develop or refine the proposal structure, methods, logic model, analysis, and evaluation plan.
Refine
Review the complete package for alignment, clarity, reviewer perspective, and revision priorities.
Scope the engagement around where you need the most leverage.
- Grant Readiness Audit: review the idea, fit, research logic, team, methods, and likely gaps
- Research & Evaluation Design: logic models, outcomes, measures, methods, analysis, and evaluation plans
- Proposal Strategy & Co-Writing: collaborative development of research and grant sections
- Review & Revision: critical review, reviewer-response strategy, and resubmission planning
Pricing is based on scope.
Start with the idea and where you are stuck.
We can begin with a discovery call to understand the opportunity, timeline, current materials, funding target, and where additional research or evaluation expertise would add the most value.
kostrnaconsulting@gmail.com