LIMITED SUBMISSIONS OPPORTUNITIES

Limited submission opportunities are funding opportunities for which the sponsoring agency or foundation limits the number of applications allowed from each institution. In these cases, Villanova must determine which proposals may go forward. The Office of Research Development and Scholarly Support (ORDSS) announces limited submission opportunities and coordinates the University’s internal review process to identify the most competitive proposals for institutional submission.
 

Limited Submissions Process Overview

Investigators can review current limited submission opportunities on the ORDSS Funding Opportunities Portal. If interested, they should carefully review the sponsor guidelines, submit the internal application materials by the internal deadline, and wait for institutional authorization before preparing a sponsor submission.

Current Opportunities

Current limited submission opportunities (LSO) are posted on the ORDSS Funding Opportunities Portal. ORDSS reviews and posts new limited submission opportunities on a weekly basis.

ORDSS welcomes recommendations of LSOs that are not currently posted on the portal that may be of interest to Villanova investigators. Please contact ORDSS to share relevant solicitations.

Investigators who identify an LSO that is not posted on the portal must contact ORDSS before proceeding. ORDSS will review the opportunity and determine appropriate next steps.

Investigators seeking institutional authorization to pursue an LSO must apply through the portal by the stated deadline. Investigators are expected to review the sponsor guidelines fully before submitting for internal consideration.

Internal Selection Process

Institutional authorization to pursue LSOs will typically be granted through one or both of the following internal selection processes.

1. Interest Poll

When circumstances permit, ORDSS will first post an interest poll on the portal to gauge faculty interest in a particular LSO. At this stage, only submission of a title and project abstract is required to express interest in the opportunity. Additional eligibility information may be collected (e.g. start date, application track).

If the number of LOIs submitted by the internal deadline matches or is fewer than the number allowed by the sponsor, applicants will be permitted to move forward with a submission to the sponsor, pending approval from their College Research Dean.

2. Interest Competition

Interest competitions will be announced on the portal for opportunities that receive expressions of interest exceeding the maximum allowable amount or for annual LSOs that have historically been competitive (ex. National Science Foundation Major Research Instrumentation Program). Under some circumstances, and at the discretion of the VPR and Research Deans, competitions may be announced without a prior interest poll.

Interest Competition Application

Villanova currently uses a standardized Interest Competition Application form that requests the following information and materials. Not all fields are relevant to all opportunities. Investigators should tailor their responses and materials to the requirements of the specific LSO.

• PI/Co-PI information
• Project summary (maximum 3 pages) that addresses the following items in a manner that is appropriately aligned to the opportunity
  • Description of the project purpose, significance, and expected outcomes
  • How the project aligns with the program’s key priorities and objectives
  • The PI/team’s unique expertise and capabilities
  • The level of effort each PI/co-PI plans to commit to the project
• CV or biographical sketch for the PI, Co-PIs, and key personnel (maximum 5-pages per individual)
• Estimated project cost, request amount, and confirmed or anticipated cost-share commitments
• For resubmissions: copies of prior program reviews, if available, and a response to reviewer comments
• For projects involving equipment acquisition: description of where the instrument will be housed, plan for sustainability of equipment use, and confirmation of institutional agreement (2-page max.)

Interest Competition Review Process

After the internal deadline, all complete and submitted applications are routed to the relevant College Research Dean for review and approval. If the number of College-approved submissions exceeds the number of institutional slots allowed by the sponsor, the approved submissions are routed to the Vice Provost for Research for final coordination of the University’s decision. If no interest is expressed by the internal deadline, the opportunity may be treated as a last-chance opportunity, and authorization may be granted on a first-come basis.

Additional Guidelines

Timing

ORDSS strives to share limited submission opportunities at least 12 weeks before the sponsor deadline and to notify investigators within 14 calendar days after the internal deadline. If the sponsor’s timeline is too short, or if ORDSS becomes aware of an opportunity with insufficient lead time, authorization may be granted on a first-come basis.

Applicant Responsibilities

If an application is selected and the applicant or team decides to forgo submission to the funder, they must notify ORDSS within five days of the selection notice. This allows another applicant to be selected and move forward. If a selected applicant fails to submit to the funder and has not notified ORDSS, they run the risk of being disqualified from future LSO competitions.

Applicants selected for a foundation LSO may be expected to work with the Office of Corporate and Foundation Relations on proposal development. 

Questions

For more information or questions please contact the Office of Research Development and Scholarly Support.