Updated Limited Submissions Requirements

Limited Submissions (LS) are funding opportunities in which the sponsor only accepts a limited number of applications from one institution or organization. Research Development manages and facilitates limited submissions for federal and foundation opportunities. All internal limited submissions competitions are managed through the web-based platform, InfoReady. Limited Submissions provides a transparent, equitable, and efficient method for promoting and selecting proposals for opportunities that are limited at the institutional level.

This year, Limited Submissions is excited to announce an update to the standard internal application requirements. Applicants are encouraged to review all upcoming opportunities and confirm application requirements ahead of the internal deadline.

The new standard internal application has been reduced in length and broken into well-defined sections to aid proposers in guiding their writing. By providing separate, short sections that speak to different aspects of the proposal, we hope that this will assist both investigators and reviewers in the Limited Submissions process.  The different sections are shown below. Each section is separate and will be entered into text boxes on the application. Limited Submissions will modify the requirements when the sponsor requires significantly less than the application information at this stage of proposal development.

1. Summary (250-word limit): Provide an overview of your proposed activities. This should be a self-contained description of the proposed work and outcomes that would result if funded. This should be understandable to a scientifically or technically literate lay reader.
2. Significance (250-word limit): Describe the compelling reasons for the proposal. How will the work be an original contribution, or what problem will your proposal address?
3. Fit with sponsor (250-word limit): How does the proposed work fit the stated goals of the sponsor and the intentions of the funding program?
4. Methodology (500-word limit): Describe the proposed activities, procedures, and processes to be used. Note any potential problems or limitations that might arise.
5. Anticipated Outcomes (250-word limit):  What changes, impacts, results, or contributions to knowledge do you expect as an outcome of the proposed project?

      The required items below should be uploaded as a single pdf file.

6. Bio Sketch or CV (5-page limit each): Provide a Bio Sketch or CV for each PI or team member. Follow current sponsor guidelines. NSF or NIH styles are acceptable. All files should be uploaded as one PDF.
7. Ancillary items (no limit): Ancillary items may include, but are not limited to, references, cost-sharing documentation, letters of recommendation, past reviews or scores, and additional supporting material deemed relevant by the applicant. Please provide only if applicable. All files should be uploaded as one PDF.

An additional update to the Limited Submissions process is centered around the timeline management for postings. New timelines follow a similar structure as previous years but are updated as follows:

• Opportunities with more than 12 weeks until the sponsor deadline will be published to accept internal applications for Full Review. The internal deadline will be set at least 8 weeks before the sponsor deadline.
• Opportunities with less than 12 weeks until the sponsor deadline will be published to accept internal applications for Rapid Review. The internal deadline will be set at least 4 weeks before the sponsor deadline.
• Opportunities with less than 4 weeks until the sponsor deadline will be published to accept internal applications for Administrative Review. The internal deadline will be the same as the sponsor deadline.
• Opportunities that are published initially as Full Review or Rapid Review that do not have any applications by their respective posted internal deadline, the opportunity will be modified to accept applications for Administrative Review. The internal deadline will be the same as the sponsor deadline.
• Opportunities with sponsor deadlines in less than 5 days will be administratively reviewed. Approval will be emailed to the applicant, and internal documentation will be saved for Research Development.

Frequently Asked Questions:

• What happens when no one has applied, and the Limited Submissions internal deadline has passed?
  • Opportunities that are published initially as Full Review or Rapid Review that do not have any applications by their respective posted internal deadline will be modified to accept applications for Administrative Review. The application that Limited Submissions receives via InfoReady will be granted approval to submit.
• I submitted an application for a limited submission opportunity. When will I get the results of the review?
  • After submission of your application, InfoReady will provide a confirmation email that your application was received. You will receive an additional confirmation email once the review has started. Limited Submissions makes every effort to have applications reviewed in a timely manner, usually within two weeks of the internal deadline. Our goal is to maximize the external proposal preparation time for researchers to submit to the sponsor for funding.
• Why are the Limited Submission application requirements different than the sponsor requirements?
  • The application requirements are designed to give a sufficient representation of your proposed project without overburdening applicants.
• How do I sign up to receive notifications of Limited Submission opportunities?
  • Subscribe to Research Development’s weekly newsletter, which lists upcoming and new limited funding opportunities, Research Development Events, and research-related announcements
• Who do I contact for help submitting my application?
  • Faculty are asked to confer with their Research Advancement professional to discuss opportunities and submission details. Limited Submissions is available for assistance using ASU’s InfoReady site or for questions regarding any Limited Submission internal competition.

Please review upcoming internal deadlines and InfoReady sites for more information and direct any questions to Limited.Submissions@asu.edu.