Starlight Consulting partners with junior investigators, research centers, and lean nonprofit teams across the East Coast — from finding the right opportunity through clean award closeout. Deep biomedical and research administration expertise, without the overhead of a full-time grants office.
Most consultants stop at submission. We stay through reporting, closeout, and the next renewal — because clean execution is what protects your future funding.
You shouldn't have to manage your consultant. Here's how an engagement with Starlight actually unfolds — from the first conversation to the moment we hand a clean closeout back to your team.
Step 1
A focused conversation about your funding goals, current pipeline, and where you're feeling stretched. No pitch deck, no pressure — just enough information for both of us to know whether this is a fit before anyone commits.
Step 2
A structured review of your team's grant infrastructure: opportunity fit, proposal scaffolding, compliance posture, and post-award capacity. You leave with a clear picture of what's working, what's at risk, and where targeted help will actually move the needle.
Step 3
Based on the assessment, we define exactly what's in scope — readiness, prospecting, proposal development, award management, closeout, or a combination — along with timelines, deliverables, and how we'll work together. No vague retainers, no surprise add-ons.
Step 4
We get to work as an extension of your team. That might mean writing alongside your PI, running submission logistics, building out your reporting cadence, or managing a complex multi-site award. You'll always know what's happening, what's next, and what we need from you.
Step 5
Most engagements end at "submitted" or "funded." Ours don't. We finalize reporting, close the award cleanly, document what we learned, and set you up for the next opportunity — because future eligibility depends on how well you wrap up the current one.
President, Starlight Consulting LLC
Stephanie Woolson is the President of Starlight Consulting LLC, where she brings deep expertise in biomedical research grant writing and program management developed at Johns Hopkins & Columbia Universities. With a sharp understanding of the unique operational and strategic challenges facing mission-driven research institutions, Stephanie partners closely with her clients to build the infrastructure, processes, and capacity they need to advance their scientific work with Research Intensive Universities with confidence.
Through Starlight Consulting, Stephanie provides tailored support across the full research management lifecycle — from grant development and compliance to project coordination and reporting. Her approach is both hands-on and collaborative, ensuring that emerging research leaders gain not only immediate support but also the skills and systems to sustain long-term success. She has successfully managed portfolios of over $20M annually.
Stephanie is a trusted advisor to the nonprofit biomedical research community, recognized for her ability to translate complex administrative demands into clear, actionable strategies that allow researchers to stay focused on what matters most — their science. If you need assistance building sustainable systems, reach out for a free consultation. She is based in the New York City area & available for consultations nationwide.
Primarily junior investigators in biomedical and academic research, lean nonprofits without a dedicated grants office, and research centers that need senior fractional support on complex awards.
NIH, CDC, DoD, NSF, USDA, and various state agency and foundation funders. I know the procedural differences that matter at submission and closeout.
No. Writing is one phase. I support the full lifecycle: readiness, prospecting, proposal development, submission, award management, reporting, and closeout. Most clients hire me for more than one phase.
No. A common starting point is a Readiness Assessment or a single proposal. Many clients expand the scope after that.
Sometimes — but rushed submissions are the #1 reason proposals underperform. If the timeline is too tight to do it well, I'll say so.
I'm based on the East Coast and work remotely with teams across the Research Triangle, Boston, NYC, Philadelphia, DC, and Ithaca/Cornell-adjacent ecosystems.
Project-scoped fixed fees for proposals and readiness work; monthly retainers for ongoing award management or fractional PM engagements. Pricing is shared after the intro call.
A free 30-minute intro call. Schedule one on my Proton Calendar or use the contact form.
Whether you're preparing for your first major submission or trying to bring order to a complex post-award portfolio, the best place to start is a 30-minute conversation. Tell us a little about your project and we'll be in touch within two business days.
East Coast specialist for biomedical and research-administration-heavy grant work, known among junior investigators, research centers, and nonprofits as the person you call when funding opportunity fit, proposal quality, and award compliance all matter.
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