Foundation & Research Relations

The Office of Foundation Research Relations (FRR) works collaboratively across the Health Sciences to strengthen DGSOM’s competitiveness for prestigious extramural funding from national top-tier foundations. Serving as your strategic partner in the philanthropic process, FRR plays a pivotal role in supporting faculty throughout the funding lifecycle in the following ways: 

Sourcing Funding Opportunities
The FRR team identifies and disseminates private foundation funding opportunities, including institutionally limited submission opportunities, conducts customized prospect research tailored to faculty research interests, and ensures alignment between DGSOM institutional priorities and the philanthropic goals of national top-tier funders.

Faculty Consultation
In partnership with Development officers, FRR provides targeted consultations to understand the unique research priorities, goals, and funding needs of individual faculty or teams. Based on this insight, we support faculty throughout the application process including donor engagement strategies. 

Donor Cultivation and Stewardship
FRR facilitates strategic engagement between DGSOM faculty, campus leadership, and foundation program officers through coordinated outreach and site visits, aligning scientific research goals with a foundation’s philanthropic priorities. The office also contributes to long-term stewardship planning to ensure sustained institutional relationships.

Coordination Across Internal and External Processes
As a liaison between faculty, foundations, and administrative partners, FRR helps navigate the fundraising processes in coordination with the Office of Foundation Relations & Corporate Philanthropy, the Office of Research & Creative Activities (ORCA), the Office of Contracts and Grants Administration (OCGA), the Grant Submission Unit (GSU), UCLA Gift Policy, UCLA Health Marketing and Communications, and others. 

Contact 

Reshma Anvekar
Senior Director, Foundation & Research Relations
UCLA Health Sciences Development
RAnvekar@mednet.ucla.edu

Becca McMasters
Development Coordinator, Foundation & Research Relations
UCLA Health Sciences Development
BMcMasters@mednet.ucla.edu

General mailbox
Foundation & Research Relations (FRR)
FRR@mednet.ucla.edu