Research Grant Program Coordinator

Accelerate progress in alternative protein science

The Good Food Institute (GFI) is a nonprofit think tank working to make the global food system better for the planet, people, and animals. Alongside scientists, businesses, and policymakers, GFI’s teams focus on making plant-based, fermentation-enabled, and cultivated meat delicious, affordable, and accessible. Powered by philanthropy, GFI is an international network of organizations advancing alternative proteins as an essential solution needed to meet the world’s climate, global health, food security, and biodiversity goals.

How You Will Make a Difference 

Join us in a pivotal role supporting GFI's Research Grant Program, dedicated to revolutionizing the global food system. As part of our team, you will play a crucial role in facilitating high-impact research initiatives focused on alternative proteins. Through our program, we aim to overcome technical bottlenecks, spur additional research funding, and foster collaborations that draw new talent into the field. With our current request for proposals (RFP) positioned to award a total of $3.4 million across three high-priority topic areas, you will work closely with researchers and organizations worldwide to drive innovation and progress within the alternative proteins space. The Research Grant Program Coordinator will be responsible for:

• Facilitating the administration of all aspects of our Research Grants Program activities to ensure quality and effectiveness.
• Managing day-to-day communications with stakeholders.
• Coordinating, managing, and maintaining materials, meetings, and email responses.
• Maintaining the shared drive and databases, and conducting periodic cleanups and content reorganization.
• Disseminating information about upcoming RFP phases, anticipated time investment, and instructions to stakeholders.
• Implementing mechanisms to streamline systems and processes while enhancing accuracy and efficiency.
• Supporting affiliate engagement in the RFP process, from process planning through grantee reporting.
• Ensuring timely, effective communication with our RFP grant awardees.
• Supporting RFP cycle processes, including proposal solicitation and submission, reviewer recruitment, review assignment and collection, and grantee onboarding.
• Responding to RFP applicant questions, providing technical support, relaying pertinent policy details, and escalating unresolved issues.
• Reviewing RFP proposal submissions and verifying compliance.
• Coordinating the peer review process by maintaining a reviewer database, inviting and scheduling reviewers, providing review instructions and timelines, and responding to questions.
• Organizing panel review meetings, providing panelists instructions and materials, and producing detailed meeting notes.
• Maintaining systems and processes for RFP grantee reporting requirements.
• Collecting, storing, routing, and documenting RFP grantee reports, onboarding materials, and documentation.
• Creating infographics, charts, and reports.
• Building Asana projects to track the RFP process and other phased program activities.
• Assisting Program Managers with tracking and organizing key performance metrics.
• Performing other duties as assigned.

Who We’re Looking For 

A successful candidate for the Research Grant Program Coordinator position will have experience that reflects the following:

• A minimum of two years experience with research proposal development and post-award management within an academic or non-profit research setting.
• Working knowledge of research administration, sponsored programs, and regulatory compliance areas.
• Proficiency in organization, time management, and managing multiple projects and deadlines.
• Demonstrated innovation mindset with experience navigating new challenges in a fast-paced work environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a keen eye for detail.
• Familiar with data collection and the importance of ensuring accuracy.
• Proven ability to provide effective project support and anticipate problems.
• Energized by teamwork and skilled in cross-functional collaboration.
• Flexibility and skill in collaborating with a variety of internal and external stakeholders.
• Experience working with a global team or stakeholders.
• Google Workspace, MS Office, Adobe Acrobat, and Asana or similar project management software experience.
• Ability to quickly learn new software and systems.
• A commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and to building an inclusive workplace where everyone feels like they belong.
• Comfort working remotely and in a rapidly growing and evolving organization.
• Strong support for GFI’s philosophy and mission; demonstrated interest in plant-based & other alt proteins, public health, environmentalism, climate change, animal protection, or hunger relief.
• A commitment to GFI’s values: believe change is possible, do the most good we can, share knowledge freely, act on evidence, and invite everyone to the table.

We want the best people and we don’t want biases holding us back. We use a third-party anonymizing tool to redact personal information from submitted applications — including name, location, contact details, and several other factors — to reduce bias and increase fairness in our process. We strongly encourage people of every race, color, orientation, age, gender, origin, and ability to apply. Since we value a diverse workplace, we prioritize an inclusive climate absent of discrimination and harassment during the application process and after you join the team. 

Research indicates that men tend to apply for jobs when they meet just 60% of the criteria, while women and people from other marginalized groups only apply if they are a 100% match. If you are passionate about GFI’s mission and think you have what it takes to be successful in this role even if you don’t check all the boxes, please apply. We’d appreciate the opportunity to consider your application. 

The Fine Print

• Terms of employment: Full-time, exempt
• Reports to: Jill Lauson, Research Grant Program Manager
• Location: Remote; United States
• Travel: Up to two weeks per year for organization retreats (reasonable accommodations for and exemptions from organization retreats considered on a case-by-case basis).
• Benefits: Working from home, full medical coverage, optional dental and vision packages, a 401(k) plan with employer match, flexible holiday and vacation plans, lifestyle spending account, opportunity for advancement, respectful managers, and supportive colleagues. More information here: https://tinyurl.com/GFIBenefits. 
• This is a U.S.-based position: In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire. 
• COVID vaccination policy: GFI requires all US employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Proof of vaccination will be requested before the start of employment. GFI will consider requests for accommodations or exemptions from this policy on a case-by-case basis, in accordance with applicable laws. More information here: https://tinyurl.com/GFICovidPolicy. 
• Salary: $69,002.70 - $72,452.90 (depending on experience and qualifications)

Important Dates

Application deadline: June 3, 2024

Anticipated start date: On or around July 8, 2024