Limited-submission funding opportunities (LSOs) are those for which the sponsor limits the number of proposals Portland State University may submit. To ensure compliance, limited submission opportunities require internal review prior to submission. Common LSOs are posted on an internal spreadsheet, located here.
If you have identified a limited submission opportunity that is not currently posted, please contact Annie Lindgren, Interim Associate Vice President for Research in RGS.
Internal Application Deadlines for Limited Submission Opportunities
LSO proposals are often more complex, requiring more internal organization and planning. In general internal application deadlines are set far in advance of the sponsor’s submission deadline to allow for the necessary time and planning needed to complete a competitive proposal. In most cases, the following timelines apply:
- For proposals that require an initial pre-application, letter of intent, or concept paper: In many cases, pre-applications need to be submitted through Sponsored Projects Administration (SPA), so will require advance planning. Please contact Annie Lindgren as soon as possible to discuss.
- For proposals that do not require a pre-application, letter of intent, or concept paper: LSO applications deadlines are generally set 12 weeks prior to the external proposal deadline. In some cases, more complex proposals requiring additional time and support may have internal deadlines that are set 16+ weeks prior the external deadline.
Process to Apply to a Limited Submission Opportunity
If you are interested in submitting to an LSO please complete the LSO Application Form by 5pm on the internal posted deadline. With this form, you will need to provide:
- An overview of the proposed project (1-page maximum)
- A CV for the submitting Principal Investigator (PI)
- A letter of support from the Dean or Associate Dean of Research from the PI's home college
All applicants are notified of the outcome within seven working days of the internal deadline and provided comments, if any, on their applications.
Once an application is approved, faculty will be contacted by Sponsored Projects and Administration (SPA) and prompted to submit a Notification of Intent to Submit if they have not already done so. Please note: SPA staff are the only employees authorized to submit proposals on behalf of PSU.
How are Limited Submission Opportunity Requests Evaluated?
All LSO submission requests are reviewed by RGS’s’ Research Development Team, taking the following questions into consideration:
- Does the team include sufficient expertise to generate a competitive proposal?
- Will the proposed activities produce a competitive proposal that meets the research and broader impact criteria of the proposal call?
- Do the appropriate College/Center/Programmatic leaders agree that this is an area of growing excellence, i.e., are they excited about this work and eager for it to proceed?Does the team include sufficient expertise to generate a competitive proposal?
- Does the proposal involve personnel (faculty and/or staff) from multiple academic units, if appropriate?
- Does the proposal involve significant consideration of student training opportunities, if appropriate?
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I have to seek separate authorization for Limited Submission Opportunities?
Funding opportunities that limit the number of submissions from a single university require more planning and organization to ensure compliance. Our goals are twofold: first, to ensure faculty are not spending time and energy submitting applications that may be returned without review, and second, to identify the most competitive proposal to move forward.
How in-depth does my project description need to be when seeking approval for a Limited Submission Opportunity?
If your submission requires a pre-application, letter of intent, or other “pre-proposal” documentation, your abstract can include an overview of the proposed work and potential partners. However, if you are requesting authorization to submit a full proposal, we expect your project description to be more fully fleshed out with additional Co-Investigators and external partners identified, taking the evaluation criteria into consideration.
Is an email from my Dean or Associate Dean of Research a sufficient letter of support?
Yes, an email is sufficient, but must be included with your LSO Application Form. Please save the email as a PDF and upload it with your other documents.
What if the website doesn’t list an opportunity that I am considering?
While RGS makes every effort to post limited-submission opportunities that may be of interest to PSU faculty, there may be some opportunities not on our list. If you become aware of a limited submission opportunity that you would like to apply for that is not on the list, please notify us immediately.
Why are internal application deadlines for LSOs set so far in advance?
Limited submission opportunities are often more complex proposals, often including multiple faculty, external partners, and sub awards. This process allows us to identify and notify applicants of decisions as quickly as possible, allowing for maximum time to prepare a competitive proposal.
If I miss an internal pre-application deadline, may I still submit late or request an extension?
When an internal listed deadline has passed and no applications have been received by our office, opportunities will remain listed as “open” until four weeks prior to the external submission deadline. If the internal deadline has passed and the opportunity has been “closed” (e.g. the number of submission slots have been filled), late applications will not be accepted.
What if an opportunity arises that is within the 12-week deadline?
While we work to forecast deadlines for existing funding opportunities, funding agencies such as the National Science Foundation require a 90-day window once a new request for proposal (RFP) is announced. We realize that this means in some cases, a new opportunity may arise within the 12-week deadline. If you identify a new opportunity and are interested in applying for it but are unsure of the timing, please reach out to Annie Lindgren, Interim Associate Vice President for Research.
What if my internal proposal is selected, but I decide not to submit to the sponsor?
Slots for many limited-submission opportunities may be in high demand. Selected PIs should plan to move ahead quickly in developing their full proposal. Applicants who have been approved internally to submit but are unable to do so should notify their SPA Proposal Management team immediately.
Please contact Annie Lindgren, Interim Associate Vice President for Research in the Office of Research and Graduate Studies, with any additional questions about limited submission opportunities.