Justin McClendon | Viral Pathways Grants Consulting

Bring your research to life with the funding it deserves.

As a dedicated Grant Consultant and Research Advisor, I’ll partner with you to transform your ideas into fully funded projects—navigating the complexities of federal and foundation grants, so you can focus on innovation and impact.

What We Do

Systems Management

- Sam.gov registration for federal funding eligibility
- research.gov utilization for NSF proposals and reporting
- eRA Commons management for NIH accounts and submissions
- Grants.gov coordination and federal compliance
- Guidance on human assurance (IRB) processes and IACUC (animal subjects) protocols

Grant Writing

- Identifying funding opportunities aligned with your project goals
- Developing SBIR/STTR proposals (NIH, NSF, DoE, DoD)
- Crafting multi-center grants, including project narratives, budgets, and collaboration agreements
-Clinical trial development: study design, IRB alignment, and regulatory compliance
- Ensuring proposals meet sponsor guidelines for human and animal research
- Aligning applications with sponsor priorities to maximize competitiveness
- Leveraging scientific expertise in public health, biology, and clinical research

Grant Management

- Award set-up: establishing budgets, subawards, and sponsor requirements
- Clinical trial coordination: protocol development, IRB approvals, and participant workflows
- Financial oversight: expenditure tracking, reconciliations, and compliance
- Preparing progress reports and handling all post-award activities—from audits to project closeout

About Justin McClendon

I’m a dedicated Grant Consultant, Research Advisor, and Epidemiologist with over eight years of experience helping both small businesses and academic teams navigate the competitive world of research funding. As a Certified Research Administrator currently pursuing my PhD in Epidemiological Science at the University of Michigan, I bring a unique blend of hands-on grant writing expertise and data-driven insight. I’ve worked on everything from SBIR/STTR proposals for cutting-edge startups to managing multi-million-dollar NIH and NSF projects for major universities.

My passion lies in transforming big ideas into tangible, well-funded realities. Whether you’re aiming to launch an innovative product or expand your lab’s research portfolio, I specialize in guiding complex proposals through each stage—from developing a compelling narrative to ensuring post-award compliance. My aim is always the same: to simplify the funding process, secure essential resources, and empower you to focus on the groundbreaking work you do best.

Background

Over the past eight years, I’ve managed $25 million in annual funding across complex, multi-institutional research portfolios. My roles at institutions like Stony Brook University, New York University, and NYU Langone Health have involved full-lifecycle grants management—from writing and submitting proposals, setting up awards, and managing finances, to ensuring compliance throughout post-award activities. I’ve led projects backed by federal agencies such as the NIH, NSF, DoD, and DoE, focusing on critical areas like malaria, influenza, Alzheimer’s disease, and PTSD. In addition, I’ve guided clinical trials from initial study design and regulatory approvals to final data analysis and dissemination.

What sets me apart is my ability to excel in both the scientific and administrative aspects of research. With a solid background in biology and public health, I understand the intricacies of study design and data analysis, while simultaneously streamlining administrative processes to keep projects on track and in compliance. This dual focus ensures that every stage—scientific, financial, and regulatory—works seamlessly together, giving both academic and industry partners the clarity, strategy, and support they need to achieve meaningful, high-impact results.

Credentials

Certified Research Administrator (CRA)
MS in Biology
Master of Public Health (MPH) in Global Public Health (Epidemiology)
Advanced Certificate in Health and Human Rights
10+ years of experience in grant writing, research administration, and advanced data analysis
Currently pursuing a PhD in Epidemiological Science at the University of Michigan