Important Updates - June 2025:
- Extended Lead Time for Applicants: The internal application window has been extended from six to ten weeks prior to the sponsor deadline to allow more time for preparation.
- Internal Application Requirement for Competitive Renewals: Principal Investigators (PIs) seeking competitive renewals are now required to apply through the internal process.
- Notification of Opportunities not in InfoReady: The minimum lead time to hold a competition has been increased from three weeks to four weeks prior to the sponsor deadline.
- Transparent Competition Listings: RDO will keep internal competitions posted, with new category labels, until the sponsor deadline.
- Resubmission Materials Added: For resubmissions, RDO will request sponsor feedback (if available) and a one-page summary of major changes.
- List of Recurring Limited Submission Opportunities via Pivot: A curated list of recurring limited submission opportunities is now available through Pivot to support easier planning and tracking.
Limited Submission Programs
Limited submission programs are competitive funding opportunities that restrict the number of proposals that may be submitted from one institution. Institutional applicants for programs with limited submission restrictions are determined through an internal review process.
Institutional Application Process
Internal Competition
The Research Development Office (RDO) initiates an internal competition if a competitive grant program restricts the number of proposals that may be submitted from one institution, and when the competition is open to faculty, staff members, or students from more than one college or department. The RDO sets an internal deadline by which interested individuals must apply to be the institutional applicant- ideally ten weeks ahead of the sponsor deadline. The internal application materials will be collected via InfoReady, a web-based workflow platform designed to streamline the submission, review, and approval process for funding opportunities and other institutional competitions.
Rapid Response Competitions: There may be instances when the interval between becoming aware of a limited submission opportunity and the sponsor’s deadline makes it impractical to follow the limited submission process above. In these atypical cases, the RDO will hold an abbreviated internal competition, if possible.
Competitive Renewal Applicants: Current PIs of limited submission programs who intend to recompete in a sponsor's competitive renewal process are expected to apply to the internal competition within InfoReady and indicate their status as a renewal applicant. If the current PI does not apply internally, a new applicant will be selected from the internal candidates who applied.
Discovery
The RDO routinely monitors and searches for limited submission opportunities from these funding agencies, including:
- Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)
- Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA)
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- Department of Defense (DOD)
- Department of Energy (DOE)
- Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
- Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
- National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH)
- National Endowment for the Arts (NEA)
- National Institutes of Health (NIH)
- National Science Foundation (NSF)
- Foundation Opportunities that align with institutional eligibility and priorities.
Not Listed in InfoReady: If you plan to apply for a limited submission opportunity that is not listed on the InfoReady homepage, contact the RDO. Include the program title, due date, and the sponsor’s URL in your inquiry. If the RDO is notified four weeks or more in advance of the sponsor’s due date, the RDO will initiate an internal competition. If notice is given less than four weeks before the sponsor's due date, applicants will be selected on a first-come, first-served basis.
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The RDO advertises institutionally coordinated limited submission competitions to campus by:
- Posting on the InfoReady homepage: Institutionally coordinated limited submission competitions are hosted through InfoReady. InfoReady is a web-based portal that is used to collect and manage internal applications. Each limited submission opportunity includes notable details such as deadlines, eligibility, sponsor links, and requested internal application materials.
- Announcement in the Limited Submission Funding Focus newsletter: This newsletter is sent to subscribers every Wednesday and features the most recent limited submission competitions posted within InfoReady. Faculty, students, and staff can subscribe.
Sign up for Funding Focus to receive a weekly digest of limited submission opportunities available to the University of Iowa community.
Internal Application Requirements
The RDO aligns application requirements with those of the sponsor and collects necessary information to ensure a high-quality internal review. Each InfoReady competition page outlines the required documents for applying to the internal competition. Most internal competitions require a project description write-up, estimated budget, and a PI CV or biosketch. For external resubmission applications, the RDO will request sponsor feedback if available and ask for up to one page summarizing substantial additions, deletions, and changes to the application. Interested applicants should upload the required proposal documents by clicking “Apply” on the InfoReady application portal and logging in using their HawkID and password.
InfoReady Categories: On the InfoReady homepage and within each competition page, limited submission competitions display these categories:
- Limited Submission-Open: The internal deadline has not passed. Applicants can apply through InfoReady.
- Limited Submission-First-Come, First-Served: The internal deadline has passed, and the number of applications is below our limit. Applicants will be selected on a first-come, first-served basis, please contact the RDO.
- Limited Submission-Closed: The internal deadline has passed, and all spots are filled. No additional applications can be accepted.
View and apply to all institutionally managed internal competitions through InfoReady.
Internal Review and Committee
An internal review is triggered if the number of internal applications received exceeds the sponsor’s limit. The review committee is chaired by the relevant Associate Vice President for Research and includes the applicants' collegiate Associate Dean for Research, select faculty, and the UI Center for Advancement staff as needed. Reviewers with a conflict of interest are recused from review and an alternate reviewer may be utilized. The review criteria are based on the sponsor’s guidelines and therefore will vary by opportunity. Consideration will also be given to UI institutional strengths and strategic directions.
Applicant Notification
Shortly after the review meeting, a notice of outcome will be emailed to all applicants. The goal is to notify applicants within two weeks of the internal deadline. This timeline may vary based on reviewer availability, the number of applications, and the sponsor's deadline. An authorization to submit will be emailed to the selected applicant(s), the applicant’s DEO, the research administrator, and the relevant contacts at the Division of Sponsored Programs (DSP). The selected applicant(s) should work with their departmental or collegiate research administrator to route their application to the DSP at least five working days in advance of the sponsor’s deadline in accordance with the UI Routing Policy.
Not Able to Submit: If a notice of outcome is received and the selected applicant is unable to submit, it is expected that the applicant email the RDO as soon as possible. This allows other applicants an opportunity to apply.
Grant Limitation and Action Examples
No Limitation
Route your proposal through the Division of Sponsored Programs at least five days in advance of the deadline.
Limited by number of applications per institution
The Research Development Office (RDO) initiates the limited submission internal competition when a grant program restricts the number of proposals that may be submitted from one institution. This applies to opportunities that are open to faculty, staff, and students across multiple colleges or departments. Apply through UI Limited Submission Opportunities; applications are reviewed by appropriate Associate Deans for Research (ADR), faculty and OVPR senior staff.
Limited by number of applications per center, college, school, or department
For competitive grant programs that limit the number of proposals from each center, college, school, or department, it is the responsibility of each respective center, college, school, or department to organize their own review process. Contact the relevant Center Leadership, Associate Dean for Research, or Departmental Executive Officer for more information.
Limited but not listed in UI Limited Submissions
If you plan to apply for a limited submission opportunity that is not listed on the InfoReady homepage, contact the RDO. Include the program title, due date, and the sponsor’s URL in your inquiry. If the RDO is notified four weeks or more in advance of the sponsor’s due date, the RDO will initiate an internal competition. If notice is given less than four weeks before the sponsor's due date, applicants will be selected on a first-come, first-served basis.
Interested in applying for a limited submission grant but the internal deadline has passed
If the internal deadline has passed and the category column in InfoReady is “Limited Submission-First-Come, First-Served” there may be spots available to apply. Please contact the RDO.
Select Recurring Limited Submission Opportunities
Below is a link* to select recurring limited submission opportunities.
*Please note: You must be logged into Pivot (HawkID/password) in order to view the curated list in Pivot.
Questions?
Please contact the RDO with any questions. Sign up for Funding Focus to stay up-to-date on upcoming limited submissions opportunities here!