Every WAFAR-funded team works with a dedicated Research Specialist, so researchers can focus on the research itself. Support includes:

• Grant development: identifying related funding opportunities and helping prepare major applications, including drafting and editing, budgets, letters of support and assembling submission packages
• Project coordination: planning timelines and milestones, organizing team meetings and keeping work on track
• Visiting scholars: arranging workspace and on-campus logistics for international collaborators
• Events: planning and running workshops, convenings, seminars and public events, from room bookings and catering to promotion and on-the-day support
• Communications and outreach: writing news stories, sharing updates on social media and connecting teams with University Communications and media
• Knowledge mobilization: producing reports, briefs and other materials that share findings with policymakers, partners and the public
• Connections: introducing teams to faculty, units, community partners and stakeholders across Western and beyond
• Trainee support: coordinating student and trainee involvement in the project
• Reporting: documenting outcomes and preparing end-of-project reports

Along with dedicated workspace in the Western Interdisciplinary Research Building, this support is designed to help teams turn a short, intensive period of collaboration into lasting partnerships and larger, externally funded research programs.