Support & Programming
ORD provides comprehensive proposal development support in partnership with Research Administration Services (RAS) to Emory faculty who are preparing “mega” proposals. Generally, these proposals request $10M or more from the sponsor, span multiple academic units, include external partners, and have complex budgets. Exceptions for other high priority proposals that fall below the $10M threshold may be requested by the lead academic unit’s Associate Dean for Research or equivalent. To request comprehensive proposal development support, email ResearchDevelopment@emory.edu.
Competitive intelligence refers to the ethical collection and analysis of information, which informs decision-making for the research enterprise. ORD provides actionable insights and future-looking intelligence on programs, sponsors, and topics to help Emory continue to be highly competitive when seeking research funding and/or increase our position relative to peers and other research organizations. To request a competitive intelligence report, email ResearchDevelopment@emory.edu.
Constructive Collisions is an event series that promotes research collaboration among faculty, researchers, and external partners. The series offers a variety of immersive activities including, structured networking, lightning talks, roundtable discussions, and pitch sessions. Each semester several Constructive Collisions are organized around different topics. ORD welcomes opportunities to partner with Emory’s centers, institutes, and university-wide initiatives to co-organize events. To partner with us or suggest a theme, email ResearchDevelopment@emory.edu.
ORD administers seed funds provided by the Office of SVPR. All internal funding opportunities administered by ORD are posted to the InfoReady application portal.
ORD convenes Emory’s Research Development Community (RDC). The RDC seeks to build and maintain a research development network across campus to identify and share resources and opportunities in support of the growth of Emory’s research enterprise. Individuals who practice research development in any form from any unit within Emory are invited to join. To join the RDC, email ResearchDevelopment@emory.edu.
Training Grant Support Office
The Training Grant Support Office (TGSO) was established at Emory to support the longevity of our existing training programs while targeting new areas for program development by providing expert knowledge, tools, and resources.

Our Team
Kimberly Eck, MPH, PhD | Associate Vice President for Research
Dr. Eck established the Office of Research Development (ORD) in 2020 and continues to lead the office. ORD provides comprehensive proposal development support for mega proposals, develops competitive intelligence, facilitates interdisciplinary collaborations, and administers internal seed funds and limited competitions. Additionally, she oversees the Training Grant Support Office within ORD.
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Erica Pitre | Director of Research Development
Erica joined the Office of Research Development (ORD) early in 2021. She provides project management and proposal development support to faculty research teams who have engaged ORD on mega proposal submissions. Additionally, Erica supports many of the office’s strategic initiatives, including competitive intelligence.
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Erin Butler, MBA, CRA | Research Development Officer
Erin joined the Office of Research Development (ORD) in January 2022. In her role, she plans and executes the Constructive Collisions event series, administers Emory’s limited submission program, curates the SVPR’s list of funding opportunities, and provides comprehensive proposal development support for mega grant proposals. Additionally, she coordinates and convenes the Emory Research Development Community of Interest.
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Kelly A. Moore, PhD | Director, Training Grant Support Office
Dr. Moore established the Training Grant Support Office (TGSO) in 2020. She leads the TGSO, which supports the longevity of our existing training programs while targeting new areas for program development by providing expert knowledge, tools, and resources.
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Amber Mason, PhD | Associate Director of Evaluation, Training Grant Support Office
Dr. Mason began her journey with the Training Grant Support Office (TGSO) in Fall of 2022. In her role, she provides a support infrastructure for training grant program evaluation through the provision and deployment of evaluation tools for planning, measurement, and data analysis.

Dena Reinoso, MBA | Assistant Director, Training Grant Support Office
Dena began working with the Training Grant Support Office (TGSO) in 2021. Dena provides training grant support services to Emory leadership, faculty, and program staff throughout all Emory colleges and schools. Additionally, Dena works with senior research leadership to effectively implement Emory’s training grant development strategies.
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Tekla Smith, MPH | Project Support Specialist, Training Grant Support Office
Tekla joined the Training Grant Support Office (TGSO) in 2022. In her role, Tekla provides administrative support for training grant proposals, assists with navigating NIH eRA Commons xTrain and xTract systems; maintains databases and reports for the TGSO; and helps support program evaluation activities.
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