For some funding mechanisms, many funding agencies place limits on the number of letters of intent (LOI), pre-proposals, or full proposals that an institution can submit in response to the Request for Proposals (RFP), Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA), or Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) in a given funding cycle. Submissions that limit the number of proposals than an institution can submit are those we refer to as "Limited Submissions" opportunities.
ORSCA will make every effort to identify limited submission opportunities early to allow enough time for faculty to obtain appropriate internal approvals. However, due to the large number of available programs, it is not possible for ORSCA to provide a regular, exhaustive list of announcements with limited submission restrictions, or to send advanced notification of every limited submission opportunity. Upon notice, ORSCA will distribute the funding opportunity announcement to campus to solicit any potential interest from faculty members. In order to be considered for limited submission opportunities, a PI must coordinate with ORSCA as provided in the procedure outlined below.
Limited Submission Procedure
A Principal Investigator (PI) interested in submitting a proposal in response to a limited submission opportunity from a federal, state or other public entity must provide notification to the ORSCA (via [email protected]) a minimum of 60 calendar days prior to the stated proposal submission deadline. Upon receipt of notification and review of submission guidelines, ORSCA will send an email to alert campus of such interest to inquire if there are faculty or staff interested. An internal deadline for responses will be specified in the notice.
Interested PIs should notify ORSCA, via [email protected], of their interest in submission within the internal deadline specified.
- A PI interested in submitting to a limited submission opportunity must submit a summary of the proposed project (no more than 2 pages), and a list of PI and key team members’ current and pending support and biographical sketches (in agency specific format of no more than 5 pages) and a draft budget to the Associate Vice President for Resea
ORSCA will will send a follow up notification to all who expressed interest to alert them about the results of the inquiry.
- If the number of interested PIs is is less than the limit of the number of proposals allowed, then no further action is necessary. Proposals will be submitted following the university’s standard process.
- If there are are more interested PI’s than the limited number of proposals allowed, a selection of the project(s) that will move forward will be necessary.
- When there are thirty (30) calendar days between identification of the funding opportunity and the sponsor deadline for submission, permission to move forward will be decided by the AVP for Research.
- The AVP for Research will discuss the projects with other individuals established by the AVP for Research for the limited submission opportunity. After consultation, the AVP for Research will make the final decision on selection of the project(s) to be put forth on behalf of the university. Evaluation criteria will include, but not limited to:
- quality of the proposal and work described therein;
- probability of successful funding through alignment with the sponsors stated objectives;
- probability of the PI and proposed team (if applicable) to carry out the project as evidenced by CV(s) and current and pending support; and
- support the mission of the university through alignment with the university’s strategic plan.
- It is expected that once a project is selected and the PI is notified, the PI has the responsibility to submit a proposal. Should the selected PI decide not to submit as planned, they must inform AVP for Research in writing within three days of selection so that the PI of the next ranked proposal can be notified, in a timely manner, to move forward with submission. Failure to submit a proposal without prior notification to AVP for Research may affect the PI’s ability to participate in future internal competitions.
- if the PI of the top-ranked proposal is unable to move forward due to extenuating circumstances, the PI of the next ranked proposal will be contacted to move forward with submission.
- Please note: While every effort will be made to adhere to the procedures listed above, there may be instances where an internal competition is not practical due to sponsor expectations and requirements as specified in the funding announcement (i.e., the opportunity is most appropriate for specific colleges/units).
- Resubmission: If a proposal is submitted for a limited submission opportunity and is not funded, that proposal will have no preference over other projects in any subsequent limited submission opportunities. However, preference will be provided for a proposal that received favorable reviews and was invited for resubmission. Evaluation comments from sponsors must be included with all previously submitted proposals.