Visiting Speaker: Dr. Mark A. Mirando
Former National Program Leader, USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Advancing Grant Success: Federal Review Processes & Proven Grant Writing Strategies
March 4 | Tennessee Tech University
Tennessee Tech University is pleased to welcome Dr. Mark A. Mirando, a nationally recognized leader in federal research funding and grant program administration, for a full day of presentations and individual consultations focused on competitive grant success. With more than 25 years of experience at the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), Dr. Mirando brings an insider’s perspective on how federal grants are reviewed, what reviewers look for, and how faculty can significantly strengthen their proposals. This is a rare opportunity to learn directly from someone who has helped shape, manage, and safeguard the integrity of major federal funding programs. Although Dr. Mirando’s career includes deep expertise in agriculture and animal science, these sessions are designed for faculty across all disciplines who pursue external funding from federal agencies, foundations, and other sponsors. Whether you are new to grant writing or a seasoned investigator, this visit offers practical insights you won’t want to miss.
Event Schedule – Wednesday, March 4
9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
Review Process for Competitive Grant Applications at the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Location: Tech Pride Room, Roaden University Center
One-on-One Faculty Consultations (by appointment)
Dr. Mirando will meet individually with faculty for one-hour sessions to provide feedback and advice on:
- Proposal ideas and project framing
- Understanding reviewer expectations
- Strengthening competitiveness for federal funding
Location: RUC 224 Contact Jill Dicey jdicey@tntech.edu to schedule your on-on-one
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Tips for Successful Grant Writing
Location: LSC 1207
Presentation Details
Review Process for Competitive Grant Applications at the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Federal funding agencies have recently implemented significant changes to their competitive grant programs in response to new administrative priorities and executive directives. Many faculty are either unaware of these changes or unsure how they affect proposal review and funding decisions.
In this session, Dr. Mirando explains how competitive grant proposals are evaluated, with particular emphasis on the USDA NIFA peer‑review process. He discusses how recent changes influence reviewer expectations and scoring, and why these shifts matter for applicants. While examples draw from USDA programs, the concepts and insights are broadly applicable across federal funding agencies.
Tips for Successful Grant Writing
This presentation focuses on practical, proven strategies for improving grant proposals—regardless of discipline or funding source. Dr. Mirando shares clear, actionable guidance on how to strengthen clarity, organization, and persuasiveness in grant writing. Designed for both new and experienced grant writers, this session highlights common pitfalls, reviewer perspectives, and simple adjustments that can significantly improve competitiveness. The recommendations apply not only to federal grants, but also to proposals submitted to foundations, private sponsors, and other external funding organizations.
About the Speaker
Dr. Mark A. Mirando retired on November 1, 2025, after a distinguished career as National Science Liaison and National Program Leader for Animal Production Systems at the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). During his 25 years at NIFA, he led or co-led 14 competitive grant programs and played a key role in creating six new programs, including a major interagency initiative with the National Institutes of Health.
For more than 12 years, Dr. Mirando served as NIFA’s inaugural Science Coordinator for the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI), overseeing scientific quality and peer-review integrity for the USDA’s flagship competitive grants program. Following NIFA’s relocation to Kansas City in 2019, and the departure of more than 75% of its staff, he was responsible for training newly hired personnel in grant program management and peer review, delivering over 110 hours of formal training and mentoring dozens of program leaders.
Prior to his federal service, Dr. Mirando was a faculty member in the Department of Animal Sciences at Washington State University, where his internationally recognized research in livestock reproduction was supported by competitive funding from the USDA, National Institutes of Health, and private-sector sponsors.
A Tennessee Tech alumnus, Dr. Mirando earned his BS in Dairy Science from TTU, followed by an MS and PhD from the University of Connecticut. He completed postdoctoral training at the University of Florida and has held multiple editorial leadership roles with the Journal of Animal Science. His honors include the 2020 Fellow Award in Administration from the American Society of Animal Science and the 2023 Jansen Distinguished Leadership and Service Award from the Society for the Study of Reproduction.