Non-profit research funders are seeing unprecedented growth in grant submissions as needs of the research community rise and federal funding landscapes and priorities shift. This session will explore practical strategies for these organizations to manage increasing application volume while upholding fairness and scientific rigor. Panelists will discuss approaches to easing reviewer load, the responsible use of AI tools to support (not replace) human review, and when Letters of Intent (LOIs) can help reduce burden for both applicants and reviewers. The session will also explore how to refine program strategy amid growing demands for funding.

Moderator

• David Leyden, MPA – Vice President, Finance and Administration, The Simons Foundation
  David Leyden serves as vice president of finance and administration for SFARI, neuroscience and informatics at the Simons Foundation. In this role, he is responsible for overseeing all aspects of finance, operations, program and research administration for the division of Autism of Neuroscience. David earned an undergraduate degree in international relations from Syracuse University and an M.P.A. from Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs. He is also a certified research administrator and certified telehealth facilitator. He has expertise in finance, administrative and clinical operations, graduate program education, research administration and strategic planning. Previous appointments include serving as the administrative director for Telemedicine and director of planning and development in the Department of Emergency Medicine at Weill Cornell Medicine, department administrator for Healthcare Policy and Research also at Weill Cornell Medicine and department administrator for Neuroscience at Columbia University Irving Medical Center.

Speakers

• Jessica M. Biddinger, MS – National Senior Director, Research & Grants Administration, American Heart Association
  Jessica Biddinger is a National Senior Director of Research & Grants Administration at the American Heart Association, bringing more than 15 years of experience in research operations and administration. In her current role, she leads the Association’s applications and peer review teams and provides strategic support across both foundational and targeted research programs. In addition, Jessica’s team oversees research communications and the Researchers@Heart alumni program, strengthening engagement and ongoing collaboration within the Heart Association’s research community. Prior to joining the American Heart Association, Jessica held research leadership and administrative roles at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and the School of Nursing, where her work spanned program development, proposal strategy and submission, pre- and post-award management, reporting and evaluation, and business development. She also brings a strong nonprofit background from her work with the American Urological Association. Jessica earned a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from the University of Vermont and a Master of Science in Biotechnology from Johns Hopkins University.

• Ryan Godfrey – Senior Manager of Research Programs, Cancer Research Institute
  Ryan Godfrey is the Senior Manager of Research Programs at the Cancer Research Institute, where he has worked since 2017 managing the full lifecycle of the organizations grantmaking efforts. Prior to joining CRI, Ryan managed grant funding at a local New Jersey non-profit, supporting foster, adoptive, and homeless youth in New Jersey to pursue post-secondary education. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in political science from Drew University, where he developed a strong appreciation for the nonprofit sector’s ability to drive meaningful change, and he remains committed to advancing cancer research through his work.
  

• Samantha Lanjewar, PhD – Research Programs Manager, Hydrocephalus Association
  Samantha Lanjewar is the Research Programs Manager at the Hydrocephalus Association. She is responsible for leading administrative and programmatic research initiatives, including grants administration, strategic program planning, and the HAPPIER Patient Registry. In this role, she fosters meaningful collaboration among scientists, clinicians, engineers, patients, and other stakeholders to advance high-impact research and community-driven priorities. Samantha earned her PhD in Genetics and Molecular Biology from Emory University, where she studied human brain development. She has extensive expertise in neuroscience, genetics, and biomedical research, in addition to over a decade of experience in program leadership, event planning, and stakeholder engagement.

• Emily Meyers, PhD – Sr. Associate Director, Research Projects, Alzheimer’s Association
  Emily Meyers is the Senior Associate Director, Research Projects at the Alzheimer’s Association. In this role, she oversees the Association’s Strategic Initiatives funding program, which identifies, accelerates, and advances high‑impact research with the potential to drive progress across the entire field of dementia research. Emily earned her PhD in Neuroscience from Northwestern University, where her research focused on learning and memory in the aging brain.