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Working/Functional Title

Proposal Strategist

Position Summary

Building on the university’s significant history of commitment and accomplishments in global engagement, the Proposal Strategist affiliated with the Global Research Office within International Studies and Programs will collaborate in the development, design, and delivery of high-quality proposals. 

Innovating, creating, learning, anticipating the future: The Global Research Office presents a novel higher education model for international research and development. Global Research will provide expertise and resources to facilitate access to funding from the U.S. government, philanthropic foundations, bilateral and multilateral organizations, foreign governments, and non-profit and for-profit entities. Ultimately, linkages among MSU faculty, collaborating partners, and the broader international community will serve as a conduit for co-creation of high-quality programming, groundbreaking research, and innovative solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges.

Reporting to the Associate Dean for Research and Strategic Partnerships, the Proposal Strategist will be responsible comprehensive proposal support, concept shaping, narrative development, and editing for international proposal development within International Studies and Programs.

Hybrid work statement: The department is currently operating under a hybrid modality structure, with staff working three days in person and two days remotely. This structure is subject to change at any time.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Provide technical direction, support, and oversight for International Studies and Programs international proposals (70%)

• Lead and/or contribute expertise of international proposal efforts?ensuring that global best practices, research, and approaches are incorporated into design
• Draft and edit concept notes, LOI’s, and full proposals
• Ensure that?proposals are?measuring and?achieving their intended impact and are compliant with donor and MSU policies
• Translate technical content into clear, outcome-oriented language
• Coordinate with ISP Dean’s Office Research Administrator for adherence to required proposals
• Maintain a repository of all proposals for content and success stories
• Support the Global Research Office within International Studies and Programs for communications and reporting

Provide leadership on international funding in a higher education context (30%)

• Provide leadership as a point of contact for external agencies, philanthropic foundations, multilateral organizations, and other non-profit entities
• Serve as a campus-wide, national, and/or international resource for international proposal development best practice and scholarship by generating scholarly outputs, internal tools and resources, and/or informational briefings on conference platforms

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.

Required Degree

Masters -International development, communications or related field

Minimum Requirements

• Master’s degree or equivalent in international development, communications, or other related field of study
• 3+ years of experience in research development, proposal writing, or project design
• Excellent writing, editing, and stakeholder engagement skills
• Ability to manage multiple deadlines across interdisciplinary teams

Desired Qualifications

• Understanding of both philanthropic and federal funding frameworks

Required Application Materials

CV, cover letter and writing sample

Review of Applications Begins On

02/16/2026

Website

https://www.isp.msu.edu/

Department Statement

International Studies and Programs (ISP) is the hub for international research, teaching and outreach at Michigan State University.

Michigan State University has been intentionally global for more than 60 years and is known worldwide as a top research university. It is home to renowned scholars and scientists from around the globe and a vibrant and diverse community of undergraduates and graduate students. MSU leverages international partnerships with scientists and practitioners from academia, the government, private sector, and strategically chosen research and development organizations to create new knowledge and explore innovative and practical solutions to the world’s most pressing problems.

The growth of Michigan State University’s international work can be tied to the development of the Office of International Studies and Programs (ISP). ISP is the hub for international research, teaching and outreach at MSU. As a university-level office under the leadership of a vice provost and dean, ISP supports international activities throughout the institution, working to mobilize MSU's research and scholarship, enhance study abroad and other educational programs, form and strengthen international partnerships, and welcome and support international visitors, scholars and students.

Within ISP are seven global thematic and area studies centers, programs for students and scholars, and resources for international travel and safety, international research collaboration, and faculty and student support. ISP also has strong ties to affiliated international units across campus focusing on agriculture, business, education, engineering, health, international development, and language study.

A defining characteristic of the MSU model is that ISP does not have its own solely assigned faculty. Consistent with the goal of spreading the international dimension throughout the university, all faculty members have their major academic appointments in university departments and schools across campus. This allows ISP to serve as a convener of interdisciplinary groups of faculty drawn from throughout MSU’s 17 academic colleges. 

ISP’s efforts expand and deepen MSU’s global research and help create the scientific knowledge needed for responding to the world’s emerging opportunities and global goals. ISP works to position MSU as a leader in international research and scholarship, the internationalization of higher education, and as an indispensable partner in global collaborations. 

MSU Statement

Michigan State University has been advancing the common good with uncommon will for more than 160 years. One of the top research universities in the world, MSU pushes the boundaries of discovery and forges enduring partnerships to solve the most pressing global challenges while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community through more than 200 programs of study in 17 degree-granting colleges.

About Michigan State University

Spartans work every day to advance the common good in uncommon ways.Together, we tackle some of the world?s toughest problems to find solutions that make life better?from alternative energy to better food safety to breakthrough medical and environmental applications achieved through rare isotope research.We teach. We explore and we discover. We collaborate and lead. We innovate, inspire, and empower. We achieve our potential and create circumstances that help our students and others achieve theirs.We're good at it, and we've been at it for more than 150 years.The nation?s pioneer land-grant university, MSU began as a bold experiment that democratized higher education and helped bring science and innovation into everyday life. The revolutionary concept became a model for the nation.Today, MSU is one of the top research universities in the world?on one of the biggest, greenest campuses in the nation. Home to nationally ranked and recognized academic, residential college, and service-learning programs, we?re a diverse community of dedicated students and scholars, athletes and artists, scientists and leaders.In ways both practical and profound, we work to create a stronger, more sustainable, and more hopeful future for all.

Connections working at Michigan State University