Grant Resources, Research Optimization & Writing Support (GROW)

This program is made possible through funding from the Research Support Fund.

The Office of Research and Innovation offers a variety of workshops to support professional development. 

These sessions will be led by Trent’s Research staff and will provide opportunities for informal learning and discussion about broader topics of interest to researchers. Each will begin with a general overview of the topic, to be followed by questions and discussions. If participants would like to bring drafts of applications materials related to the topic under discussion, they may do so. 

View 2026 Program.

Tri-Agency Narrative CV with Dr. Letitia Henville

September 15, 10:00 am – 11.30 am vis Zoom, Registration link

In this practical, evidence-based 90-minute presentation, you'll learn how to write the new, narrative-style Tri-Agency CV, which is replacing the Canadian Common CV (CCV) across CIHR, NSERC, and SSHRC funding programs. Led by Dr. Letitia Henville, an award-winning freelance academic editor and author of the University Affairs column “Ask Dr. Editor,” this session will show you how to move beyond simply listing your outputs and toward articulating the outcomes and impacts of your work — the changes, benefits, and evidence of influence that make a narrative CV compelling to peer reviewers. Drawing on original interviews with over 150 Tri-Agency reviewers, Dr. Henville will walk you through how to write each required section of the CV: Personal Statement, Most Significant Contributions & Experiences, and Supervision & Mentorship. Participants will also receive six English- and six French-language narrative CV templates, annotated example contributions, and links to relevant resources.

Dr. Letitia Henville, PhD

With a PhD in English Literature, experience reviewing arts & culture grants for the Vancouver Foundation, and success in editing ~$7M of research funding proposals, Dr. Letitia Henville specializes in editing grant applications and promotion and tenure dossiers in the health sciences, social sciences, and humanities.

Getting Your Research Noticed: Practical Communication Strategies for Researchers (with Celia Ernst, Communications Office)

Date: Event confirmed; specific date to be announced, via Zoom. Registration details will be provided once scheduling is finalized.

Join this interactive session designed to help Trent researchers effectively promote their work using a range of communication channels. Participants will learn practical strategies for working with institutional communications, using digital and social media, and sharing research with broader academic, community, and public audiences. The session will highlight tools, best practices, and opportunities to increase the visibility and impact of your research.

NSERC Research Tools and Instruments (RTI) Grant – Q&A session

Presenter:  Chanditha Priyanatha

September 02, 2026, 10:00am-11:00 am via Zoom, Registration link

The Q&A session on the NSERC Research Tools and Instruments (RTI) grant will offer an opportunity to ask questions about application requirements, eligibility, and program expectations. Attendees are invited to bring questions related to key components of an application. The discussion may also touch on common pitfalls, best practices, and strategies for effectively demonstrating need, impact, and feasibility.

NSERC Discovery Grants (DG): Practical Insights from a DG Reviewer (with Dr. Sanela Martic)

September 23, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm, Bata Library 411, in-person,Registration link

Are you preparing an NSERC Discovery Grant (DG) application? Join us for a series of practical workshops led by Dr. Sanela Martic, NSERC DG Review Committee member (1501: Genes, Cells and Molecules), to gain insights into evaluation criteria and strengthen your application. The session will focus on the Excellence of the Researcher evaluation criterion.

NSERC Discovery Grants (DG): Practical Insights from a DG Reviewer (with Dr. Sanela Martic)

September 30, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm, Bata Library Room 411, in-person, Registration link

Are you preparing an NSERC Discovery Grant (DG) application? Join us for a series of practical workshops led by Dr. Sanela Martic, NSERC DG Review Committee member (1501: Genes, Cells and Molecules), to gain insights into evaluation criteria and strengthen your application. The session will focus on the Training of HQP personnel evaluation criterion.

SSHRC Partnership Development Grants (PDG) Information session 

Presenter: Breanne Whitwell

September 1, 10:00am-12:00pm, virtual, Registration link

This session will provide a comprehensive overview of the SSHRC Partnership Development Grant (PDG) program, including the requirements of the application. We will describe individual elements such as project descriptions, evidence of the partnership, and budget, and discuss best practices and common pitfalls. We will also cover the requirements of partner organizations, including the contributions and letters of support that partners must provide, as well as possible university contributions. Time will be set aside for questions.