Simplifying Grant Applications with Gavin Mendel-Gleason

Dr. Gavin Mendel-Gleason, a technology leader specializing in artificial intelligence and software architecture, has launched PaperBreak.ai to streamline the process of securing research funding. The platform is an AI-powered grant discovery and writing tool specifically designed for EU and Horizon funding proposals.

The service aims to reduce the time, cost, and uncertainty associated with grant applications by integrating directly with Google Docs and utilizing AI to understand the specific requirements of individual funding calls.

Addressing the Complexity of Grant Applications

In an interview with the Irish Independent, Mendel-Gleason described grant applications as painful, noting that while basic information is available online, his goal is to address the more complicated issues involved in the process. He stated that the objective is to make it easier for normal people to file applications for grants.

Mendel-Gleason founded Scidonia.ai approximately one year prior to the April 2026 interview, utilizing an AI agent to simplify the filing process. His current focus remains on PaperBreak.ai, which he founded in January 2025 to help researchers spend less time on paperwork and more time on scientific discovery.

Technical Background and Expertise

The development of these tools is backed by Mendel-Gleason’s experience in scalable systems and database architecture. From 2018 to January 2025, he served as the Chief Technology Officer at TerminusDB in Dublin, Ireland.

During his tenure at TerminusDB, he was responsible for the technical architecture of several key products: TerminusDB, a graph database; VectorLink, a vector database; and TerminusCMS, a content management system.

His technical contributions include the development of novel techniques for the parallel construction of Hierarchical Navigable Small World (HNSW) graphs, which reduced indexing time by 60%. He also co-wrote AVX and GPU acceleration for HNSW, resulting in 10x performance improvements.

Mendel-Gleason’s core competencies span several advanced computing domains, including:

• AI and Machine Learning: Generative AI, transformers, vector databases, and entity resolution.
• Database Systems: Graph databases, vector databases, and distributed systems.
• Programming Languages: Rust, C, C++, Java, Python, Haskell, and Prolog.

Broader Context of AI in Data and Research

The effort to simplify grant applications aligns with a broader movement toward FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) data principles within the scientific community. These principles aim to transform data practices by building bridges between computer science, information science, and legal studies.

Mendel-Gleason’s work with VectorLink also intersects with these goals. In a January 1, 2026, publication in European Political Science, he is cited as the CEO of VectorLink, where the importance of distributed, interoperable, and well-defined data integration is emphasized.

Beyond his entrepreneurial ventures, Mendel-Gleason has contributed to academic discourse on social innovation, serving as an editor for a March 11, 2024, publication regarding themes in social innovation and social entrepreneurship.