The Office of Strategic Research Initiatives (OSRI) of the Division of Research and Economic Development (DivRED) supports ODU faculty researchers in a variety of ways, from grant search resources to project development, research team building, and editing for extramural proposals. To access prebuilt Pivot-RP funding opportunities, click here.
About OSRI
At its best, OSRI is the beating heart of our research community—proactive, visible, and trusted. We are more than just a resource; we are a catalyst—an advocate for our faculty, a champion for innovation, and a convener of connections that span disciplines, departments, and communities.
We thrive when we get out of the office and into the conversations—hosting workshops, attending meetings, and setting up collaborations that build momentum. We listen intently, weaving a web of relationships and gathering insights that keep us in tune with what’s happening on campus and beyond. We don’t just connect the dots—we see the bigger picture and work to elevate the whole, helping faculty find the right opportunities and fostering an environment where they can lead and thrive.
OSRI Vision Statement
We will be a trusted partner, leveraging technology and innovative frameworks to propel ODU’s strategic research enterprise—driving results with urgency, responsiveness, and collaborative impact across disciplines and communities.
OSRI Mission Statement
Our mission is to actively partner with faculty, staff, postdocs, and students—leveraging technology, gathering insights, and connecting people—to identify opportunities, develop competitive proposals, and position ODU’s research enterprise for transformative growth, impact, and inclusive excellence.
OSRI Commitment Statement
As a trusted partner, we bring forward-thinking strategies, cutting-edge tools, and a nimble approach to accelerate research success—working alongside faculty and teams to strengthen ODU’s standing as a leader in research.
Our Grant Development Specialists are available to provide the following services:
- Assist with building collaborative teams
- Analyze solicitations and guidelines
- Strategize with faculty to strengthen proposals
- Writing guidance including outlines, checklists and editing support.
Our Strategic Research Initiative team manages:
- ODU Seed Funding and
- Limited submissions, when the funder sets a limit on the number of grant proposals that can be submitted by the University.
- Finding Funding Opportunities — identify and communicate external research opportunities; raise opportunity awareness through searches, workshops, training, and newsletters; and build connections with undergraduate and graduate research.
- Building Research Teams — foster and support multi-disciplinary collaborations.
- Faculty Development — deliver targeted workshops.
- Strategic Proposal Development — provide triage support, build partnerships, offer guidance on major funding programs, and deliver consultations and editing.
- Data & Boilerplate Development — create shared templates, faculty expertise guides, and best-practice resources to support continuous improvement.
- Outreach — engage through newsletters, targeted communications, workshops, consultations, community events, recognition programs, and sponsor forums.