Abby Frontera

Abby Frontera is the Program Manager within the Research Foundation Partnerships Office led by Laura Williams. The office aids faculty in identifying, engaging with, and securing support from foundations and nonprofit funders. The focus of these efforts is directed toward ventures in high-risk science, scholarship, and early-stage proof-of-concept projects.

Collaborating closely with faculty members, the Research Foundation Partnerships Office crafts nonprofit research proposals that align with foundation funding priorities for both research and creative practice. This collaborative approach extends to working with the Office of University Development and various University units. In these partnerships, the office provides guidance on approaching foundations, facilitates idea exchange, aids in writing targeted research proposals, and aligns university strengths with the goals of specific organizations.

Abby brings a robust educational background to her role, holding a bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Hope College, along with two professional master’s degrees in Social Work and Business from the University of Michigan. Her diverse professional journey includes experience as a process engineer at Henry Ford Health System and, most recently, as a project manager at the Center for Academic Innovation at the University of Michigan.