Limited Submissions Opportunities
What is a limited submission?
A limited submission is a funding opportunity in which the sponsor limits the number of applications an institution may submit. Typically, these funding opportunities restrict an institution to submit 1 or 2 applications. The Research Advancement team coordinates a review process for selecting the most competitive applicants from the university who may submit proposals to these sponsors.
How can I sign up to receive notification of limited submission opportunities?
Subscribe to the Limited Submissions newsletter through our subscription form.
Occasionally, calls for limited submissions are posted on the SDSU InfoReady portal.
Who do I contact if I have questions regarding limited submissions?
Email Nadia Campbell, Director of Research Initiatives for questions about limited submissions and submitting proposals for such opportunities.
To reduce faculty burden in instances when we do not anticipate significant internal competition to select a candidate for a limited submission, faculty need only give Notice of Intent to Submit (NOI). If a review is triggered, which happens when more notices are submitted than the funder limit, faculty will then be asked to submit a 2-page Concept Paper. Please be aware that the deadline for NOI can be out as much as three months before the funder application deadline in order to coordinate the internal review of applications.
You will find any limitations listed in the sponsor's guidelines (also called a Request for Proposal, Solicitation, or Notice of Award). Typically any limiting language will be in the eligibility section.
The sponsor agency stipulates if a specific funding announcement is a limited submission.
At minimum, Concept Papers consist of an online application form (via InfoReady), a 1- to 2- page project overview, and biographical sketches or CVs for the PI and all co-investigators. For opportunities involving cost sharing, documentation of institutional commitment may be required.
Review is based on the funder’s criteria and thus differ for each funding program. Generally, review criteria include:
- Strength of PI and investigator team qualifications, including prior grant funding, publication record, and, if applicable, experience leading multi-project or other complex projects
- Responsiveness to the program solicitation and review criteria
- Impact and intellectual merit of the proposed project
- Alignment with SDSU strategic objectives
- If resubmission, responsiveness to reviewer comments from prior submission