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B.U.I.L.D. Research Resources

The B.U.I.L.D. site serves as a centralized resource for completing tasks that support professional development, research preparedness, and essential administrative requirements. Each activity is designed to enhance knowledge, strengthen future readiness for work and research, and provide structured opportunities for professional growth. By engaging with these tasks, users can efficiently fulfill necessary responsibilities while continuously developing the skills and competencies required for ongoing academic and professional success.

Fill out the survey below after completing 20 B.U.I.L.D. tasks to be eligible for an award

BUILD Challenge Checklist (opens in a new tab)

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Begin
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Update
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Internal Resources
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Learn
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Disseminate/Draft

Begin

These tasks focus on establishing essential administrative access and ensuring you are properly connected to required institutional and professional platforms. They include creating necessary logins, affiliating with key websites and systems used for academic and administrative processes, and beginning the grant search process. Completing these steps helps streamline future work, ensures compliance with required systems, and provides a clear foundation for managing and accessing your professional data.

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  • PIVOT uses online search engines to access a large database of funding opportunities covering most academic disciplines including federal and private grant sources.

    • See RDO’s Discover and Claim Your Pivot Account (opens in a new tab)
    • Register (opens in a new tab)
    • To Create Your Login: 
      Use Institutional Login Credentials (SSO)
    • To Explore: 
      Select “advanced search” located below the search bar and enter key words associated with your project in mind
    • Select Search 
    • Use the bar on the left to filter your search to better fit your project needs. (Research 
      Grant, Academic Institution/Non-Profit, Submission Deadline Dates, Keywords, etc.) 
      Then, explore the grant opportunities available for your area of research
    • Browse (opens in a new tab) Area Specific Funding
    • Access the training (opens in a new tab)
    • The linked website provides step by step tutorials on how to access the CITI program through BYU credentials. Other workshops are included on the link as well
    • The Collaborative Institutional Training initiative is a basic course that satisfies institutional requirements for 5 years. After which, a refresher course is required. Investigators and research personnel must satisfy these ethics training requirements before they can be approved as part of the research personnel.

  • “Science Experts Network Curriculum Vitae (SciENcv) is an electronic system that helps researchers assemble the professional profile needed for application of federal funds.” This  (opens in a new tab)platform will help you create your biosketch and current and pending docs.

    A biosketch is a document highlighting the qualifications of key personnel for a specific role in a proposed grant project. Both the NIH and the NSF require a biosketch for senior or key personnel applying for and renewing grants with each agency. You will need to routinely update and customize your biosketch to the grant you are applying for.

    • Log in (opens in a new tab) with your eRA commons or NSF ID. If you don’t have those yet, find that challenge to walk you through how to obtain those logins 
    • Scroll down to SciENcv and create a new document 
    • Select NIH or NSF and follow the directions in each section of the document 
    • Find the Add Brittany as a delegate challenge in section Do and follow those instructions so she can help you edit and refine your biosketch 
    • FAQ pdf (opens in a new tab)

  • Once you add Brittany as a delegate in your SciENcv, she will have access to your biosketch. From there, she can help edit your biosketch, and print it as well.

  • ORCID (opens in a new tab): Open Researcher and Contributor ID is a free, unique, persistent digital identifier for researchers and scholars. ORCID enables transparent and trustworthy connections between researchers, their contributions, and affiliations by providing a unique, persistent digital identifier used across research, scholarship, and innovation.

  • By merging your ORCiD to your SciENcv profile, it makes the process of finding your journal articles easier for the purpose of creating your biosketch. With these merged, you will be able to populate the relevant articles right into the form.

    • Login to your google scholar account
    • Locate where it states that you can download your citations (RIS format)
    • Save that on your computer
    • Login to SciENcv
    • Select “My bibliography”
    • Click “Add citation button”
    • Select “From a file”
    • Browse your computer for your downloaded copy from your google scholar account
    • If you run into any problems, email Brittany (opens in a new tab)!

  • “eRA commons (opens in a new tab) is an online interface where grant applicants, recipients, and federal staff at NIH and grantor agencies can access and share administrative information relating to research grants”

  • The Institutional Review Board OneAegis account is used by many universities to manage your application. If your research involves human subjects, you are required to submit an IRB application. So, create this account to make it easier for those to track your application.

    • Email Brittany a short synopsis of your project along with 3-5 key words that best describe the topic/funding you are looking for. She and her Research Assistants will work to put together a list of funders that would be the best fit for you and your project
    • Contact: brittany_roueche@byu.edu (opens in a new tab)
      801-422-5869
    • Follow researchers in your field on social media! Engage with others who are researching the same topics that you are.

Update

These tasks focus on refreshing and aligning your professional and academic presence across platforms like Google Scholar, LinkedIn, Faculty Profile, personal and faculty websites, and federal research systems. These tasks ensure that your information is accurate, current, and consistent. They also ensure your research outputs, affiliations, and contact details are updated and shared appropriately with collaborators, institutions, and the public.

Three people standing outdoors on a paved area near a building with mountains behind them.
Photo by Benjamin Williams with the FHSS Creative Video Team

    • If you have a personal website, update it with a recent research highlight
      Or
    • Think about creating a website that highlights your research or research project. A webpage is a great way for collaborators to find you, and for you to share your knowledge with the world.

  • Faculty Profile (opens in a new tab) is the system BYU uses for faculty to record their professional activities A primary purpose is to maintain accurate information about faculty achievements and experiences to use in: Annual stewardship interviews, Rank and Status review, Discipline-specific and university accreditation, Identifying opportunities for scholarly collaboration, Printing vitas, Reporting on faculty scholarly work and productivity.

  • Some grant applications require the four‑digit ZIP+4 extension to be included in your office address. Please update your faculty profile to reflect the correct ZIP+4 code for your department.

    Anthropology- 4700

    Economics- 2300

    Geography- 4704

    History- 6904

    Poli Sci- 4700

    Psychology- 4701

    Family Life- 6904

    Social Work- 6904

    Sociology- 6904

    Neuro- 4703

  • The NSF requires that each individual applying for an NSF grant complete this document. Find the template and FAQs about this document here: https://www.nsf.gov/funding/senior-personnel-documents/faq/coa (opens in a new tab)

  • The Current and Pending document is required for all NSF submissions. It lists all current projects and pending applications. This allows the NSF to determine the bandwidth of the individuals and if there is any potential conflict of interest.

    This process is completed through the SciENcv portal. Please reach out to your RD or RAO specialist with any questions.

  • Update your Personal Profile 

    • Log in: Go to public.era.nih.gov (opens in a new tab) and log in.
    • Navigate to Personal Profile: Click the "Personal Profile" button on the landing page or select it from the main menu.
    • Edit: Click the "Edit" button above the Name and ID section to make changes.
    • Save: Click the "Save All" button when finished. Changes are not saved unless you do this, and clicking away from the page will discard them. 

    Update organization accounts 

    • Log in: Log in to eRA Commons.
    • Navigate to Account Management: Click "Admin," then "Accounts," and "Account Management".
    • Find the user: Search for the user by username or name.
    • Manage the account: Click "Manage" under the "Action" column.
    • Add roles or change email: Select "Add Roles" or enter a new email in the "Email" fields.
    • Save changes: Follow the on-screen instructions to save. Note that only the Signing Official (SO) can manage accounts for their organization. 

    You can also watch this video for further instructions: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nh4PtdiULqU&t=185s (opens in a new tab)

Internal Resources

These tasks require you to gather essential information about your salary, funding options, research administration offices, data storage tools, and BYU research resources so you can understand the systems that support your scholarly work. They also ask you to engage with mentorship, strengthen professional relationships, and review inspirational messages that align your research with BYU’s broader mission.

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Learn

These tasks are asking you to actively explore funding opportunities, research tools, and discovery platforms while subscribing to key federal agency communications to stay informed about opportunities relevant to your career stage. They also require you to investigate potential collaborators, expand your professional skill set, and learn about programs and resources that can support and advance your research.

A presenter speaks to a group seated around a conference table during a meeting.

  • “The National Institutes of Health (NIH) Office of Communications and Public Liaison is happy to offer a free email subscription service, which allows you to receive alerts by e-mail when new information is available. With a subscription profile, you get the updated information on the items of interest to you automatically without having to return to the Web site and check for changes.”

  • Get updates from the NSF about upcoming solicitations and updates to current opportunities.

  • “The Broader Impacts Wizard will help you develop a broader impacts plan that will satisfy the National Science Foundation (NSF) Broader Impact requirements and fulfill your interest in communicating your science.”

  • The WFRDC is a secure research environment used by qualified researchers with approved projects where they can analyze restricted data collected by the U.S. Census Bureau and other federal statistical agencies. 

  • “Scopus (opens in a new tab) is a trusted, source-neutral abstract and citation database curated by independent subject matter experts who are recognized leaders in their fields."

  • Use the NIH Matchmaker tool to help you find the Program Officer that can best support your external funding efforts.

    • Access the Matchmaker Tool (opens in a new tab)
    • Put your topic of research into the Matchmaker search box and see what research projects have been funded and which institutes have funded them
    • Next, click on the Program Officials tab to explore which program officers may be the best fit for your research projects

  • “Supports early-career faculty who have the potential to serve as academic role models in research and education and to lead advances in the mission of their department or organization.” See the website (opens in a new tab).

  • Become familiar with the NIH funding process. Take a look at their Information for Researchers page that gives an overview of finding funding, the grants process, and more. 

  • Learn about Research Rabbit and see if this could help you in your research efforts.

  • The Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program offers over 400 awards in more than 135 countries for U.S. citizens to teach, conduct research and carry out professional projects around the world." Learn about how you can conduct research or teach around the world.

  • Watch this video (opens in a new tab) of a mock panel to help you understand how your proposal will be reviewed.

    • Boost your skills and stay competitive by taking a LinkedIn Learning course. With thousands of topics from leadership to training, it’s an easy way to invest in your growth. Explore the choices, pick a class that inspires you, and take a step toward your next career milestone.
    • LinkedIn Learning (opens in a new tab)

  • The Russell Sage Foundation prioritizes social science research into today’s most pressing social and economic concerns. See if they have a grant that would work for your research idea!

Disseminate/Draft

These tasks ask you to actively develop, articulate, and disseminate your research through writing, planning, budgeting, and presentation while building collaborations and professional visibility. They also require you to pursue concrete research advancement activities such as submitting proposals and articles, applying for fellowships, serving as a reviewer, and engaging broader audiences.

A presenter speaks to a group seated around a conference table during a meeting.

    • Take the time to praise and build up a colleague in your field. Tag a researcher on social media and share what you learned from their past or recent research

  • Published journal articles are a way for reviewers to see that you are an expert in your field and that you are active in research.

    Collaborations are also important when it comes to receiving funding. If you have been working with someone and have not published together yet (or need to increase the number of articles together), start drafting an article with your collaborator.

    • Start drafting a journal article about your recent research

  • A letter of intent is an opportunity to show potential funders your research project and plan. The goal is that potential funders will request a full proposal.

    • Put together a Letter of Interest/Intent that is 1-3 pages. Use figures, graphs, or other images that can help the reader understand your research project. Make sure they understand what problem you are addressing, why this is a problem, what you plan to do to fix it, why this method is the best method, why the people on this project are the best people to solve this problem, and how your project will help to solve/alleviate this problem
    • Building collaborations and community within your field can be the key to successful proposals. Reach out to a prominent person in your field and see if a collaboration would be an option for the future

  • A 1-minute research pitch, often called an "elevator pitch," aims to summarize your research project, highlighting key points, significance, and potential impact, to quickly capture a listener’s interest and encourage further discussion or collaboration. Essentially, it's a brief sales pitch for your research idea to a potential collaborator or funder. Take some time to put together a 1-minute elevator pitch about your research.

  • Create a 3-5 year plan that outlines your goals for publishing, research, grant submissions, and other professional development tasks. It can be in any format and can be done with graphics, Excel, Word, etc. Make it yours and make it specific.

  • Graphics can be a powerful way to deliver complex or long-winded information in a concise and easy-to-read setting. Reviewers love a break from text, so a well-done graphic can go a long way. Think about the parts of your research that could or need to be explained within a graphic and create it.

  • The Specific Aims page is a one page document requested by NIH that outlines all of the crucial areas of your project and demonstrates that your project is meaningful, achievable, and aligned well. Research Development does a workshop that

  • Create a professional biosketch using SciENcv (Science Experts Network Curriculum Vitae), an online tool that helps researchers prepare biographical sketches for federal research grant applications.

    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sciencv/ (opens in a new tab)

  • Put together a preliminary budget to see what kind of funding you need to support your research project. This will help Brittany know what opportunities will best work for you.

  • One of the best ways to become familiar with the grant process is to become a reviewer. Follow the directions on how to do this.

  • One of the best ways to become familiar with the grant process is to become a reviewer. Follow the directions on how to do this.

  • BYU is offering a fellowship for faculty to build collaborations and exchange ideas with members of other institutions. Apply now and start building collaborations with other faculty in the Big 12.

  • Presenting at conferences is a great way to meet potential collaborators, disseminate knowledge, and build your portfolio.

    • Create a conference abstract with or without final outcomes or analysis. Be sure to focus on clearly outlining the background, research question, methodology, and anticipated outcomes of your study, emphasizing the significance of the topic and the outcomes and potential impact of your research, even if you have no definitive findings

  • Take a few minutes to complete the COA (Collaborators and Other Affiliations) form. This information is often required for government grant applications and helps ensure your submission is complete and compliant.

  • If you plan to apply to the NSF, take a moment to complete your Current and Pending Support document. This form lists all of your active and anticipated funding and is required for a compliant proposal.

    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sciencv/ (opens in a new tab)

  • Create a single PP Slide that lists your research area and department. Please list the skills and expertise that you can bring to a team. Also share any skills or expertise you need for your team. Send this slide to Brittany.

    • You can do it! Submit an article that you have been working on