Laura J. Williams

Foundation Partnerships Lead

Laura J. Williams is the lead for partnerships with foundations and other philanthropic funders supporting ambitious basic and translational research at University of Michigan. The team helps match high-impact work emerging from faculty labs with funders interested in the potential for science to transform human health, understand our world and shape a better future.

In collaboration with experts in identifying and connecting cutting-edge research to corporate partners in Innovation Partnerships and in garnering critical foundation funding in the Office of University Development, we provide guidance on how to approach non-federal funders who share a passion for discovery, including having introductory conversations, approaching the subject of potential funding, writing research proposals that target specific organizations, managing finance, budget and agreement terms, and aligning university strengths for maximum impact.

Williams holds a bachelor’s degree in comparative literature from Columbia University and a professional master’s in journalism from the Columbia University School of Journalism.  Since joining the university in 2010, she has held roles in development and advancement in the Office of the Vice President for Research, Life Science Institute and School for Environment and Sustainability.