Zapopan, Jalisco; March 20, 2026.— As part of its 2021–2027 Research Strategy, the Universidad Panamericana is strengthening its capabilities in grant writing, establishing the attraction of external funding as a key pillar for the development and strengthening of institutional research.
Through the Office of the Vice President for Research (VGI), the institution continues to promote the competitiveness of its faculty members through specialized programs that enhance the quality and success of their research proposals.
What is grant writing, and why is it essential for research?
The training program in Grant Writingis designed to strengthen academics’ capacity to develop proposals aligned with regional, national, and international funding calls.
The program was carried out in two complementary phases. The first phase, held on February 20 in a virtual format, covered the basics of proposal writing, including identifying funding opportunities, project structure, and key evaluation criteria.
The second phase, held in person in March at the three campuses, consisted of a hands-on workshop focused on developing, analyzing, and refining actual research proposals.
Both sessions were led by Dr. Jennifer E. Lansford, Distinguished Professor at Duke University and Director of the Center for Child & Family Policy, who has extensive international experience in securing and evaluating funding for research projects.
Applied learning and interdisciplinary collaboration
The in-person workshop stood out for its practical and participatory approach, during which researchers worked directly on developing their research projects and identifying funding opportunities. In the first phase, participants grouped themselves by field of expertise to receive specialized feedback; subsequently, they formed interdisciplinary teams with the aim of enhancing the clarity, relevance, and communication of their proposals.
This approach helped reinforce one of the workshop’s key messages: the importance of communicating research in a clear, strategic manner tailored to diverse evaluation audiences, as well as demonstrating the feasibility and impact of the projects.
Strategic training with tangible results
Capacity building through initiatives of this kind is part of a broader institutional strategy aimed at increasing researchers’ participation in competitive grant programs. Through activities such as workshops, advisory services, and application support, the VGI has contributed to a steady increase in the number of projects submitted and funded.
In recent years, the Universidad Panamericana has significantly increased its researchers’ participation in external research funding, both nationally and internationally, in line with its strategic objectives of strengthening research, expanding collaboration networks, and generating academic and social impact.
Furthermore, this program is part of the ongoing support provided by the Office of the Vice President for Research (VGI), which includes identifying funding opportunities, establishing partnerships with strategic allies, and assisting with the development of competitive proposals, thereby enabling researchers to focus on developing robust, relevant, and high-impact projects.
International Outreach and Engagement
In addition to strengthening internal capabilities, this effort opens up new opportunities for international collaboration. Of particular note are the partnerships with Duke University and the Center for Child & Family Policy, as well as the potential to promote future joint initiatives, academic exchanges, and participation in international programs such as Fulbright-García Robles.
With the completion of this program, the Universidad Panamericana reaffirms its commitment to advancing purpose-driven research, providing strategic tools to enable its faculty to successfully compete for external funding and generate high-impact solutions on a global scale.
Learn how the Universidad Panamericana research: https://www.up.edu.mx/investigacion-acerca-de/
