Frequently Asked Questions

“Limited Submission” refers to funding opportunities in which the sponsor (e.g., NSF, DOE, CPRIT) limits the number of applications an institution may submit. An internal selection is required if the number of faculty who wish to apply exceeds the allowable submission limit.

Proposals submitted to the sponsor without institutional approval may be returned without review, or all A&M proposals for that opportunity may be automatically excluded.  The internal selection process ensures that our institution only submits the allowable number of proposals to the sponsor.

Limited submissions are listed in InfoReady, on the LS Website, and in the weekly newsletter.  If you are interested in a limited submission solicitation that is not posted, please submit the opportunity here https://tamu.infoready4.com/#freeformCompetitionDetail/1936585. 

Texas A&M uses two tracks- (A) Standard Track and (B) Strategic and Recurring Track) to manage the limited submission process. The (A) Standard Track is the process most commonly used process that follows the traditional model of identification, communication, campus response, internal review (if needed), and nomination. The (B) Strategic and Recurring Track is used for a select group of LS opportunities that have been identified as impacting the university’s strategic research mission and priorities. The process is similar; however, additional time to build teams and resources is added to help increase the competitiveness of the submitted proposals.

• Standard: Newly identified opportunities with more than 8 weeks before the sponsor’s deadline.
• Recurring: Known and recurring opportunities posted 6-8 months before the sponsor deadline.
• Open: Opportunities where the internal deadline has passed but seats are still available.
• Quick Turn-Around: Opportunities identified less than 8 weeks before the sponsor’s deadline. Seats are normally available on a first-come, first-served basis.

For Quick Turn-Around opportunities listed in the Standard Track and opportunities listed in the Strategic and Recurring Track NOIs are submitted through the InfoReady platform. The platform requests a very small amount of information, usually taking less than 5 minutes to complete, and seats are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. NOIs for Quick Turn-Around will be used to award seats to submit to a limited submission opportunity on a first-come, first-served basis. NOIs for Strategic and Recurring Track are used to gain an understanding of the interest on campus and to determine the next steps in the process.

Internal proposals must include:

• PI and Co-PI information
• Proposal type
• Submitting A&M institution
• Cost share acknowledgment
• A 3 or 5-page description, references, biosketch, rough budget, and any sponsor feedback if it’s a resubmission

If the number of proposals exceeds available seats, an internal review competition is conducted.  A review committee consisting of relevant experts with background knowledge and experience with the sponsor, will be convened for each specific opportunity.  Proposals are reviewed based on relevance, impact, responsiveness to previous review comments, and other relevant factors.

Review committees are normally composed of research deans and subject-matter experts. Faculty can self-nominate to serve on the Selection Advisory Panel by submitting a brief form in InfoReady.

The PI/team must notify the LST immediately via email at limitedsubmissions@tamu.edu to allow the next highest-ranked team to take their place or reopen the opportunity to campus. Failure to notify the LST will be shared with the review committee when the PI applies for future LS opportunities, which may influence the proposal rankings of the review committee.

Texas A&M has a robust network of research development professionals who will work alongside researchers by providing a full array of services for everyone from early career to senior experts as they strategize, find, and win funding. If you would like support, please fill out the Proposal Development Request Form.

Contact the Limited Submission Team at limitedsubmissions@tamu.edu for any questions or further information.

Submit the opportunity in InfoReady using the Texas A&M Limited Submission Online Notification Form. The guidelines will be reviewed, and an appropriate internal deadline will be established and posted to the LS site.

Sponsors view A&M organizations differently, with some viewing the entire system as one entity and others viewing them as separate. This affects the number of total proposals that can be submitted. The LS Team works closely with sponsors to maximize the numbers of seats A&M qualifies for.  The Limited Submissions Office also maintains an eligibility matrix to document sponsor determinations and identify patterns.