Sponsors occasionally limit the number of submissions that an institution can submit. When a call for proposals is “limited,” the Office of Research and Innovation (R&I) uses an internal selection process to determine which application(s) will be submitted to the sponsor for funding or award consideration.
The limited submission competitions process at UNL is a three-step process:
- Notifications of intent: Interested applicants must complete an online Notification of Intent to Submit Form by no later than UNL’s intent deadline. These notifications of intent are required and allow R&I to plan for the review of limited submission competition pre-proposals.
- Internal Pre-Proposal Submission: If there are more interested applicants than the sponsor’s limit allows, R&I will conduct an internal competition to select the UNL application(s) that will be recommended for submission to the sponsor. In this case, interested applicants will be notified to complete and submit an internal pre-proposal on or before the UNL pre-proposal deadline.
- Selection: Interested applicants will be notified by e-mail if their pre-proposal has been selected (or not selected) for submission to the sponsor as a full proposal. Selected applicants will then complete and submit the sponsor’s application by the sponsor deadline.
Active limited submission competitions follow. If you are interested in applying to a limited submission competition that is not featured here, contact Jackson Hardin (jhardin11@unl.edu), funding opportunity coordinator, to inquire about the status of the competition.
Department of State
Addressing Development and Use of Chemical and Biological Weapons by Russia
https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/359215
Internal Notice of Intent Deadline: 06/06/2025
Sponsor Application Deadline: 07/30/2025
This opportunity seeks to prevent Russian acquisition of critical biological, biotechnology, chemical, and pharmaceutical materials and equipment, to prepare partners to respond to chemical and biological weapons use, and to deter Russia from future use.
Organizations may submit one application in response to this opportunity.
If you are interested in developing a proposal in response to this funding opportunity, please complete a notification of intent to submit by 06/06/2025. For more information regarding the internal selection process, visit https://research.unl.edu/fundingopps/active-limited-submission-competitions/.
Department of State
Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program
https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/358785
Internal Notice of Intent Deadline: 05/07/2025
Sponsor Application Deadline: 06/30/2025
This opportunity seeks to support U.S. undergraduate students of limited financial means to study outside the United States in order to “broaden the outlook and better prepare such students of demonstrated financial need to assume significant roles in the increasingly global economy.”
Organizations may submit one proposal in response to this opportunity.
If you are interested in developing a proposal in response to this funding opportunity, please complete a notification of intent to submit by 05/07/2025. For more information regarding the internal selection process, visit https://research.unl.edu/fundingopps/active-limited-submission-competitions/.
Nebraska Department of Education
Comprehensive Literacy State Development Program
https://www.education.ne.gov/clsd-2/
Internal Notice of Intent Deadline: 05/07/2025
Sponsor Application Deadline: 06/02/2025
This opportunity seeks to advance literacy skills, including pre-literacy skills, reading, and writing, for children from birth through grade 12 with an emphasis on disadvantaged children, including children living in poverty, English learners, and children with disabilities. Eligibility must be confirmed by the sponsor before applying.
Organizaitons may submit one application in response to this opportunity.
If you are interested in developing a proposal in response to this funding opportunity, please complete a notification of intent to submit by 05/07/2025. For more information regarding the internal selection process, visit https://research.unl.edu/fundingopps/active-limited-submission-competitions/.
Department of State
Countering Biological Weapons Threats
https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/359216
Internal Notice of Intent Deadline: 06/06/2025
Sponsor Application Deadline: 07/30/2025
This opportunity seeks to prevent U.S. adversaries from developing and/or deploying biological weapons (BW), exploiting partner facilities to acquire BW-applicable materials and data, and utilizing malign influence to gain strategic advantage over the U.S. and threaten U.S. national security.
Organizations may submit one application in response to this opportunity.
If you are interested in developing a proposal in response to this funding opportunity, please complete a notification of intent to submit by 06/06/2025. For more information regarding the internal selection process, visit https://research.unl.edu/fundingopps/active-limited-submission-competitions/.
Department of State
Countering Chinese and Russian Proliferation of Advanced Conventional Weapons
https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/359214
Internal Notice of Intent Deadline: 06/06/2025
Sponsor Application Deadline: 07/30/2025
This opportunity seeks to 1) counter procurement networks used to acquire advanced conventional weapons, 2) counter the state-sponsored proliferation of advanced conventional weapons, 3) address strategic defense dependencies, and 4) counter the malign activity of private military companies to include exploitation of natural resources, including critical minerals.
Organizations may submit one application in response to this opportunity.
If you are interested in developing a proposal in response to this funding opportunity, please complete a notification of intent to submit by 06/06/2025. For more information regarding the internal selection process, visit https://research.unl.edu/fundingopps/active-limited-submission-competitions/.
Department of State
Countering Iran and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s Weapons of Mass Destruction, Nuclear, Ballistic Missile, and Drone Proliferation
https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/359220
Internal Notice of Intent Deadline: 06/06/2025
Sponsor Application Deadline: 07/30/2025
This opportunity aims to prevent Iran and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea from developing weapons of mass destruction, ballistic missiles, unmanned aerial systems, and nuclear programs.
Organizations may submit one application in response to this opportunity.
If you are interested in developing a proposal in response to this funding opportunity, please complete a notification of intent to submit by 06/06/2025. For more information regarding the internal selection process, visit https://research.unl.edu/fundingopps/active-limited-submission-competitions/.
Department of State
Denying U.S. Adversaries Access to Sensitive Nuclear, Missile, and Advanced Technical Expertise for Weapons of Mass Destruction Programs that Threaten America
https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/359218
Internal Notice of Intent Deadline: 06/06/2025
Sponsor Application Deadline: 07/30/2025
This opportunity seeks to deny U.S. adversaries access to cutting-edge innovation and weapons of mass destruction (WMD)-relevant scientific knowledge from foreign civilian scientists, technicians, and engineers who are geographically displaced or otherwise rendered financially vulnerable to WMD programs that threaten the American homeland, American lives, American prosperity, and American leadership.
Organizations may submit one application in response to this opportunity.
If you are interested in developing a proposal in response to this funding opportunity, please complete a notification of intent to submit by 06/06/2025. For more information regarding the internal selection process, visit https://research.unl.edu/fundingopps/active-limited-submission-competitions/.
Department of State
Enforcing Sanctions on China and Russia
https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/359219
Internal Notice of Intent Deadline: 06/06/2025
Sponsor Application Deadline: 07/30/2025
This opportunity seeks to engage foreign audiences in identifying and taking action against complex sanctions evasion entities and networks.
Organizations may submit one application in response to this opportunity.
If you are interested in developing a proposal in response to this funding opportunity, please complete a notification of intent to submit by 06/06/2025. For more information regarding the internal selection process, visit https://research.unl.edu/fundingopps/active-limited-submission-competitions/.
National Science Foundation
EPSCoR Research Infrastructure Improvement-Focused EPSCoR Collaborations Program
https://www.nsf.gov/funding/opportunities/epscor-research-infrastructure-improvement-focused-epscor/nsf24-573/solicitation
Internal Notice of Intent Deadline: 04/21/2025
Sponsor Letter of Intent Deadline: 12/16/2025
Sponsor Application Deadline: 01/27/2026
This program, formerly known as “EPSCoR Track-2 program,” builds interjurisdictional collaborative teams of EPSCoR investigators in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics focus areas consistent with the current National Science Foundation Strategic Plan. Projects must include researchers from at least two EPSCoR eligible jurisdictions with complementary expertise and resources necessary to address challenges that neither party could address as well or as rapidly independently.
For this year’s competition, proposals will be accepted in the following focus area: “Building capacity towards use-inspired research.”
An organization may submit only one proposal to the competition as lead.
If you are interested in developing a proposal in response to this funding opportunity, please complete a notification of intent to submit by 04/21/2025. For more information regarding the internal selection process, visit https://research.unl.edu/fundingopps/active-limited-submission-competitions/.
Department of Homeland Security
Fire Prevention and Safety Grant Program: Research and Development Activity
https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/359058
Internal Notice of Intent Deadline: 05/30/2025
Sponsor Application Deadline: 07/03/2025
This opportunity seeks to enhance the safety of the public and firefighters with respect to fire and fire-related hazards.
One application may be submitted by an eligible entity.
If you are interested in developing a proposal in response to this funding opportunity, please complete a notification of intent to submit by 05/30/2025. For more information regarding the internal selection process, visit https://research.unl.edu/fundingopps/active-limited-submission-competitions/.
Department of Energy
Geothermal Heat Pumps PATHs Prize
https://www.challenge.gov/?challenge=ghp-paths-prize&tab=overview&utm_campaign=732590c7ea-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2025_05_06_07_50&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Funding%20Supplement&utm_term=0_8d6cbefc3d-732590c7ea-712519256
Internal Notice of Intent Deadline: 05/14/2025
Sponsor Application Deadline: 06/05/2025
This competition is designed to hire, certify, and train the current and next generation of geothermal heat pump workers.
A single entity may only submit one application as the lead competitor to this prize.
If you are interested in developing a proposal in response to this funding opportunity, please complete a notification of intent to submit by 05/14/2025. For more information regarding the internal selection process, visit https://research.unl.edu/fundingopps/active-limited-submission-competitions/.
Anxiety & Depression Initiative, Inc.
Get Out and Get Active Grant
https://theadi.org/grant_rfp/?utm_source=Funding+Supplement&utm_campaign=aa33a1f960-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2025_05_13_07_04&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_8d6cbefc3d-aa33a1f960-712519256
Internal Notice of Intent Deadline: 05/19/2025
Sponsor Application Deadline: 05/30/2025
This opportunity supports innovative projects that explore and/or promote the mental health benefits of physical activity in the community.
Organizations may submit one applications in response to this opportunity.
If you are interested in developing a proposal in response to this funding opportunity, please complete a notification of intent to submit by 05/19/2025. For more information regarding the internal selection process, visit https://research.unl.edu/fundingopps/active-limited-submission-competitions/.
Department of Justice
Grants to Reduce Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, and Stalking on Campus Program
https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/359005
Internal Notice of Intent Deadline: 05/21/2025
Sponsor Letter of Intent Deadline: 06/24/2025
Sponsor Application Deadline: 07/08/2025
This opportunity provides funding for institutions of higher education to develop and strengthen effective security and investigation strategies to combat domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking on campus, develop and strengthen victim services in cases involving such crimes on campus, and develop and strengthen prevention education and awareness programs.
Institutions may submit one application in response to this opportunity.
If you are interested in developing a proposal in response to this funding opportunity, please complete a notification of intent to submit by 05/21/2025. For more information regarding the internal selection process, visit https://research.unl.edu/fundingopps/active-limited-submission-competitions/.
Project Apis m.
Honey Bee Health Research
https://www.projectapism.org/apply-for-funding?utm_source=Funding+Supplement&utm_campaign=0529b51c3a-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2025_03_18_06_59&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_8d6cbefc3d-0529b51c3a-712519256
Internal Notice of Intent Deadline: 04/14/2025
Sponsor Application Deadline: 06/01/2025
This opportunity seeks research dedicated to enhancing the health of honey bees.
Organizations may submit one proposal per cycle.
If you are interested in developing a proposal in response to this funding opportunity, please complete a notification of intent to submit by 04/14/2025. For more information regarding the internal selection process, visit https://research.unl.edu/fundingopps/active-limited-submission-competitions/.
Department of Education
Interdisciplinary Preparation of Early Intervention, Special Education, and Related Services Personnel Serving Children With Disabilities Who Have High Intensity Needs
https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/359124
Internal Notice of Intent Deadline: 06/02/2025
Sponsor Application Deadline: 06/26/2025
This opportunity seeks to increase the number and improve the quality of early intervention, special education, and related services personnel who are fully credentialed to serve children who have high-intensity needs.
Institutions may submit only one application in response to this opportunity.
If you are interested in developing a proposal in response to this funding opportunity, please complete a notification of intent to submit by 06/02/2025. For more information regarding the internal selection process, visit https://research.unl.edu/fundingopps/active-limited-submission-competitions/.
National Science Foundation
Major Research Instrumentation
https://www.nsf.gov/funding/opportunities/mri-major-research-instrumentation-program/nsf23-519/solicitation
Internal Notice of Intent Deadline: 05/19/2025
Sponsor Application Deadline: 11/14/2025
This opportunity supports the acquisition of a multi-user research instrument that is commercially available through direct purchase from a vendor, or for the personnel costs and equipment that are required for the development of an instrument with new capabilities, thereby advancing instrumentation capabilities and enhancing expertise for instrument design and fabrication at academic institutions.
Each performing organization is limited to no more than two submissions in Track 1, no more than one submission in Track 2, and no more than one submission in Track 3.
If you are interested in developing a proposal in response to this funding opportunity, please complete a notification of intent to submit by 05/19/2025. For more information regarding the internal selection process, visit https://research.unl.edu/fundingopps/active-limited-submission-competitions/.
The Pew Charitable Trusts
Pew Biomedical Scholars
https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/projects/pew-biomedical-scholars/program-details
Internal Notice of Intent Deadline: 04/21/2025
This award supports assistant professors of outstanding promise in science relevant to the advancement of human health. The award provides $300,000 in flexible support ($75,000 per year for a four-year period).
Institutions may select one nominee for consideration.
The internal selection process involves two required stages: 1) submission of internal notice of intent (NOI) to submit a proposal by 04/21/2025, and 2) submission of an internal pre-proposal by 05/02/2025. The link to submit the internal NOI is provide below, and details on how to prepare and submit the pre-proposal are available here.
If you are interested in developing a proposal in response to this funding opportunity, please complete a notification of intent to submit by 04/21/2025. For more information regarding the internal selection process, visit https://research.unl.edu/fundingopps/active-limited-submission-competitions/.
Department of State
Preventing U.S. Adversaries’ Access to Critical Technologies and Exploitation of Scientific and Commercial Facilities for Military Advancement
https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/359217
Internal Notice of Intent Deadline: 06/06/2025
Sponsor Application Deadline: 07/30/2025
This opportunity seeks proposals to advance the America First Investment Policy by stopping Chinese firms and researchers from stealing U.S. intellectual property and sensitive technologies to enable the Chinese Communist Party and the People’s Liberation Army from developing and deploying dual-use technologies, weapons of mass destruction, advanced conventional weapons, and conducting malicious cyberattacks that threaten U.S. security.
Organizations may submit one application in response to this opportunity.
If you are interested in developing a proposal in response to this funding opportunity, please complete a notification of intent to submit by 06/06/2025. For more information regarding the internal selection process, visit https://research.unl.edu/fundingopps/active-limited-submission-competitions/.
Huo Family Foundation
Special Projects
https://huofamilyfoundation.org/our-grants/special-projects/
Internal Notice of Intent Deadline: 04/30/2025
Sponsor Application Deadline: 05/23/2025
This opportunity supports larger and longer-term research awards that would allow researchers of all career stages, collaborating as a multi-disciplinary team with different expertise and skills, to take an integrated approach to tackle the more difficult questions within the broad topic of the effects of usage of and exposure to digital technologies on brain development and function (including physiological responses), social behavior and interactions, and the mental health of children and young people.
Lead Institutions may submit only one Special Project proposal.
If you are interested in developing a proposal in response to this funding opportunity, please complete a notification of intent to submit by 04/30/2025. For more information regarding the internal selection process, visit https://research.unl.edu/fundingopps/active-limited-submission-competitions/.
Department of State
U.S. Exchange Alumni Network and Capacity Building Program
https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/358787
Internal Notice of Intent Deadline: 05/07/2025
Sponsor Application Deadline: 06/30/2025
This opportunity supports professional development opportunities for U.S. citizen alumni of U.S. government-sponsored people-to-people exchange programs, including organizing and implementing career development seminars, a small grants program, and an alumni regional ambassadors fellowship program.
Organizations may submit one proposal in response to this opportunity.
If you are interested in developing a proposal in response to this funding opportunity, please complete a notification of intent to submit by 05/07/2025. For more information regarding the internal selection process, visit https://research.unl.edu/fundingopps/active-limited-submission-competitions/.
National Science Foundation
U.S. National Science Foundation Research Traineeship Program
https://www.nsf.gov/funding/opportunities/us-national-science-foundation-research-traineeship-program/nsf24-597/solicitation
Internal Notice of Intent Deadline: 04/14/2025
Sponsor Application Deadline: 09/08/2025
This opportunity seeks proposals that explore ways for graduate students in research-based master’s and doctoral degree programs to develop the skills, knowledge, and competencies needed to pursue a range of STEM careers.
Institutions of Higher Education may only participate in two proposals as lead or collaborative non-lead.
If you are interested in developing a proposal in response to this funding opportunity, please complete a notification of intent to submit by 04/14/2025. For more information regarding the internal selection process, visit https://research.unl.edu/fundingopps/active-limited-submission-competitions/.
Department of State
U.S. Presentation at International Art Biennales
https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/358788
Internal Notice of Intent Deadline: 05/12/2025
Sponsor Application Deadline: 07/30/2025
This opportunity seeks to advance international understanding of American values by exposing foreign audiences to innovative and compelling works of art that reflect and promote American values and foster international dialogue on shared global challenges.
Organizations may submit one application per funding cycle.
If you are interested in developing a proposal in response to this funding opportunity, please complete a notification of intent to submit by 05/12/2025. For more information regarding the internal selection process, visit https://research.unl.edu/fundingopps/active-limited-submission-competitions/.
Department of Defense
University Day
https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/358673
Internal Notice of Intent Deadline: 05/12/2025
Sponsor Application Deadline: 05/21/2025
This opportunity aims to solicit leading-edge research from academic collaborators seeking to have a relationship with the Air Force Research Laboratory. Research area topics include 1) bioprincipic systems and 2) weapon autonomy and control technology research.
Each university may submit only one proposal for this opportunity.
If you are interested in developing a proposal in response to this funding opportunity, please complete a notification of intent to submit by 05/12/2025. For more information regarding the internal selection process, visit https://research.unl.edu/fundingopps/active-limited-submission-competitions/.
Department of State
Youth Ambassadors Africa Program
https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/358786
Internal Notice of Intent Deadline: 05/07/2025
Sponsor Application Deadline: 06/30/2025
This opportunity seeks to provide youth and adult mentors from countries in sub-Saharan Africa with a three-week exchange program in the United States focused on the primary themes of civic engagement and leadership development.
Organizations may submit one proposal in response to this opportunity.
If you are interested in developing a proposal in response to this funding opportunity, please complete a notification of intent to submit by 05/07/2025. For more information regarding the internal selection process, visit https://research.unl.edu/fundingopps/active-limited-submission-competitions/.
