Limited Submissions

Understanding Limited Submissions

Some funding agencies limit how many proposals an institution, campus, or department can submit to a specific funding program. These opportunities, called limited submissions, ensure institutions carefully prioritize and submit their most competitive proposals.

If UNO exceeds these limits, all submissions from the institution could be disqualified. To prevent this, ORCA has established a Limited Submission Process. This process supports faculty and staff in navigating limited submission opportunities while ensuring institutional compliance.

Why Do Sponsors Limit Submissions?

Sponsors often set limits to:

Streamline their review process for highly competitive opportunities.
Ensure institutions submit only their most qualified proposals.
Promote alignment between submissions and program priorities.

UNO’s structured internal process ensures that our submissions meet these expectations, while supporting researchers in preparing high-quality, competitive proposals.

The Limited Submission Process ensures:

Compliance: Adhering to sponsor limits to protect UNO’s eligibility.
Fair Access: Providing equitable opportunities for all faculty and staff to apply.
Support: Helping applicants develop strong, competitive proposals.

Whether you are pursuing a recurring program or a new opportunity, this process is designed to help you succeed while maintaining compliance with sponsor requirements.

Limited Submission Process

Find and Identify a Limited Submission Opportunity

ORCA keeps a list of common grants with limited submission restrictions. If you find an opportunity that’s not listed, notify your Grant Coordinator 13 weeks before the funder's deadline. This allows time to manage the internal selection process if needed.

Inform ORCA of Your Intent to Apply

When you’ve identified a limited submission grant, notify your designated Grant Coordinator at least 13 weeks before the deadline. ORCA will then initiate the internal selection process in the NuRamp Internal Competition module.

Submit Your Internal Application Materials

Using the NuRamp Internal Competition module, submit the following 12 weeks before the funder's deadline:
- A 2-3 page Letter of Intent (LOI) with:
  - A brief project summary aligned with the funder's requirements.
  - An explanation of why your project is competitive for this opportunity.
  - A summary of how your project meets the evaluation criteria of the funding opportunity.
  - An estimated budget, with an approximate percentage that will stay at UNO versus being subcontracted.
  - Supplementary details, such as:
    - Confirmation of your project team (if any).
    - Any cost-sharing requirements and your ability to meet them.
    - The indirect cost rate, especially if it differs from UNO’s negotiated rate.
    - Any non-standard documents required by the funder.
- A summary CV or biosketch (3 pages max) for the lead researcher or PI.
Tip: Allow your Grant Coordinator to review the supplementary details section before submission.

Internal Review and Selection

ORCA will review applications with input from a selection committee if needed, based on:
- How well the project fits the opportunity.
- The project’s competitiveness.
- The preparedness of the PI/team.
- Understanding of the opportunity’s requirements.

Notification of Results

ORCA will notify you of the selection decision at least 4 weeks before the funder’s deadline.
If selected, confirm your intent to submit the full proposal within 2-3 business days. If you choose not to proceed or don’t confirm, the next eligible applicant may be invited to submit.

Preparing the Full Proposal

Work with your Grant Coordinator to complete and submit your full proposal before the sponsor’s deadline, ensuring it meets all sponsor and UNO requirements.

Additional Information

Compliance: Ensure your proposal follows both sponsor guidelines and UNO policies, as noncompliance may lead to disqualification.
Record Keeping: ORCA keeps records of all limited submission applications, selections, and final submissions for reporting and institutional tracking.

Need Help?

For questions, contact unoorca@unomaha.edu.