What is a Limited Submission?

Limited submissions are funding opportunities for which the University of North Texas (UNT) can submit only a limited number of proposals, as defined by the sponsor or funding agency. For these types of awards, the Research Development Team, with guidance from the Associate Vice President of Research, runs an internal competition to select UNT’s sole candidate or team. The overall objective of this process is to make UNT as competitive as possible in these opportunities.

What are the Types of Limited Submissions?

Limited submissions are opportunities in which the submitting institution is only able to submit a certain number of proposals (usually only one or two). Below are examples of phrases and keywords that may be used in the RFP for a limited submission (please note this does not encompass all examples).

Limited Submission Classification Types

Research Limited Submission: It is defined when there is a restriction on the number of proposals.

Terms to Help Identify: Below are terms, phrases, or words to help identify limited submission opportunities. 

  • Limit on Number of Proposals per Organization (NSF)
  • Applicant institutions are limited to no more than two pre-applications and two lead applications (DOE)
  • For FY 2024, an eligible institution may only submit two applications to this program as a lead institution, and only one award will be made per lead institution.
  • Limit on Number of Proposals per Organization: 1
  • One per lead institution

Corporate Foundation Relations: Private companies and foundations also have funding opportunities that require limited submission approval for researchers at UNT. If you identify a limited submission opportunity through one of these avenues, please contact the Corporate Foundation Relation Team at CFR@unt.edu.

Current Limited Submissions

Process

The Research Development Team has established a process to manage internal competitions for limited submission opportunities.

Please continue reading for further information.

Identification

The Research Development Team oversees the limited submission identification process through various mechanisms such as web searches, curated lists from Pivot, historical research data, and list-serve notifications. Please be aware that the list is not comprehensive and is continually updated. If you identify a limited submission opportunity not listed on our website, please email the Research Development Team at limitedsubmissions@unt.edu.

Intent to Submit

Once a funding opportunity is identified, the PI is responsible for contacting the Limited Submission Team to receive approval. The Division of Research and Innovation has implemented an 8-week intent-to-submit deadline. A PI should send their intent to submit through the InfoReady portal. If notifications of intent to submit exceed the sponsor limit, the Research Development Team will set dates for an internal competition.

Request to submit is outside the 8-week deadline window.

The Limited Submission Team will monitor whether an internal competition is needed. If there are no other interested PIs/Teams, the Limited Submission Team will provide approval on the day that is 8 weeks before the sponsor deadline.

Request to submit is within the 8-week deadline window.

Occasionally, there are scenarios when a PI/Team provides an intent to submit within the 8-week window. A PI will still upload their intent to submit through InfoReady for any limited submission listed on our website. For these situations, approval will be given on a first-come, first-serve basis. Approval will be given after the research administration ensures the PI/Team meets the eligibility requirements and that there is proper support in place. Internal Competition within the 8-week deadline window. On rare occasions, a federal agency may release an RFP with a pre-proposal/concept paper/letter of intent to be due within an 8-week window. To ensure fairness to PIs, the Limited Submission Team will share the funding opportunity with the relevant areas, run an internal competition, and select the winner to move forward as quickly as possible.

Complete Your Intent to Submit

Internal Competition

For limited submissions with multiple interested PIs/Teams, internal competitions are completed through InfoReady. Most internal competitions consist of the PI providing a standard set of documents, listed below.

Required Documents: Most internal competitions will consist of the following items, depending on sponsor/agency requirement.

Applicants should upload the following information in the internal application:

  • Name
  • Job Title
  • Department
  • College
  • Agency Submitting To
  • Research Topic or Area (Please indicate the track, research area, or topic if applicable to the RFP)
  • Deadline (Please indicate the deadline that impacts the limited submission – e.g. concept paper, pre-proposal, letter of intent, or full proposal deadline)
  • Link to RFP or PDF Copy
  • Upload a two-page to three-page pre-proposal that describes the proposed project and addresses how the team meets the agency/sponsor’s review criteria.

InfoReady competitions will be set-up to upload additional supporting documents if needed (CVs, major equipment acquisition and housing, letters of support, cost-share, list of collaborators, and other documents as requested).

Review Process

The internal review will be carried out by a committee selected by the Associate Vice President of Research. Review criteria are dependent on the RFP, but generally, follow the below criteria:

  • Review criteria in the agency solicitation
  • Relevance to university’s or college’s strategic direction
  • Presentation of project (clear goals, plan of action, and outcomes)
  • Qualifications of investigators
Selection

Once the review committee has determined which PI/Team will advance with a full proposal to the sponsor, the Limited Submission Team will notify all applicants of their decision.

Faculty Responsibility

If you are approved to apply for limited submission opportunities, you have the responsibility to work with the appropriate administrative units to prepare and submit the proposal by the designated deadline. Larger proposals that include multiple personnel and/or partner organizations may require longer planning periods and include increased internal deadlines designated by GCA. The first step is to submit a Grants and Contracts Request online to begin the planning process.

Researchers and/or Teams that decline the selection must notify the limited submission office as soon as possible so that the slot may be assigned to another team or reopened. Notifications must be sent to limitedsubmissions@unt.edu.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do I do, if a limited submission is not listed on the table or in InfoReady?

If a limited submission is not captured in InfoReady, please contact the Limited Submission at Limitedsubmission@unt.edu.

Who is eligible to apply for a Limited Submission opportunity?
Any investigator with PI Eligibility. View our current PI Eligibility requirements.
How can I identify limited submission opportunities?
The Research Development Team proactively identifies limited submission opportunities for the research community. PIs can find these opportunities listed in the table above by subscribing to the Research Radar or through various communication networks on campus. Please be mindful that the list is not exhaustive, and if you identify an opportunity not listed, please share it with the Limited Submission Team.
How do I make my internal competition competitive?
Be sure to review the sponsor program, review criteria, address how funding priorities align with the program, be clear and concise, and show additional support and planning when able.
Who do I contact if I have issues accessing InfoReady or submitting my application?
Please contact Limited Submission at Limitedsubmission@unt.edu for guidance
Will I get feedback on my internal application?
Feedback can be provided upon request.
What if I am selected, but decide to no longer submit to the sponsor?
Please contact the Limited Submission Team and your pre-award specialist immediately. In some instances, another PI may be able to submit a competitive application in your place.
If I was selected as UNT's nominee last year, and submitted a final proposal to the funding agency but was not funded, do I have to win the internal competition again in order to resubmit to the agency?
Please contact the Limited Submission Team and your pre-award specialist immediately. In some instances, another PI may be able to submit a competitive application in your place.
Who evaluates and ranks the submissions?
The submissions are reviewed and ranked by a review committee composed of peer faculty and administrators. When possible, review committees are composed of faculty members from each college, school, or unit represented in the applicant pool.