Procedures for the Submission of Proposals

7.3 Deadlines

Sponsor requirements vary with respect to how proposal deadlines are defined and enforced. Most sponsors require electronic submission through designated online systems, and proposals must be successfully submitted and time-stamped in the sponsor's system by the stated deadline in order to be considered on time.

In some limited cases - primarily for specific foundation or non-U.S. sponsors - deadlines may be defined by receipt rather than submission time. Regardless of format, proposals that miss the sponsor's stated deadline are generally not reviewed, including letters of intent or preliminary submissions, when required.

The Principal Investigator (PI) is responsible for determining the applicable deadline and submission requirements for a given opportunity, including:

• the exact date and time proposals are due;
• the time zone in which the deadline applies; and 
• whether the proposal must be received, submitted, or otherwise finalized in a sponsor system by the stated deadline.

Because deadline definitions and submission systems vary by sponsor, investigators are encouraged to consult with the Office of Sponsored Projects (OSP) early in the proposal process if there is any uncertainty regarding timing or deadline interpretation. OSP can assist in clarifying sponsor requirements and coordinating submission logistics to help ensure timely and compliant proposal submission. 

Go to Section 7.4 >>

1. Document Summary Sheet
2. Materials Required for Review
3. Deadlines
4. Pre-Award Audit/Additional Information
   1. Small Business Subcontracting Plans
5. Protection of Confidential or Sensitive Proposal Information
6. Submission of Final Proposal
   1. Paper Submissions
   2. Electronic Submissions