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/.
National Endowment for the Arts
Celebrating America250: Arts Projects Honoring the National Garden of American Heroes
https://www.arts.gov/grants/national-garden-of-heroes
Internal Notice of Intent Deadline: 06/16/2025
Sponsor Application Deadline: 07/14/2025
This opportunity will offer grants for arts projects in any discipline that celebrate the contributions to American history of one or more of the national heroes listed in Executive Order 13978.
An organization 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 06/16/2025. 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 Chemical Weapons Threats
https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/359223
Internal Notice of Intent Deadline: 06/11/2025
Sponsor Application Deadline: 07/31/2025
This program seeks to prevent U.S. adversaries from acquiring the materials, equipment, and expertise needed to advance chemical weapons programs that 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 06/11/2025. 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
Countering U.S. Adversary Weapons of Mass Destruction and Drone Threats in Iraq
https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/359224
Internal Notice of Intent Deadline: 06/11/2025
Sponsor Application Deadline: 07/31/2025
This opportunity seeks to protect U.S. personnel, including U.S. forces based in the region, from attacks by securing chemical and biological materials, dual-use equipment, technologies, expertise, and infrastructure to prevent their misuse by state and non-state actors.
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 06/11/2025. 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/.
National Endowment for the Arts
Grants for Arts Projects
https://www.arts.gov/grants/grants-for-arts-projects
Internal Notice of Intent Deadline: 06/16/2025
Sponsor Application Deadline: 07/17/2025
This opportunity provides funding for public engagement with the arts and arts education, for the integration of the arts with strategies promoting the health and well-being of people and communities, and for the improvement of overall capacity and capabilities within the arts sector.
An organization 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 06/16/2025. 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/.
Department of Defense
Military Health System Research Program
https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/359250
Internal Notice of Intent Deadline: 06/11/2025
Sponsor Letter of Intent Deadline: 07/09/2025
Sponsor Application Deadline: 10/17/2025
This opportunity seeks to improve the efficiency of healthcare delivery within the Military Health System and accelerate its mission to become a learning health system and to mature as an integrated health system focused on Ready Reliable Care that will improve outcomes for patients, staff, and the enterprise.
Organizations may submit up to two letters of intent for consideration.
If you are interested in developing a proposal in response to this funding opportunity, please complete a notification of intent to submit by 06/11/2025. 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/.
Department of State
U.S. Exchange Alumni Network and Capacity Building Program
https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/359247
Internal Notice of Intent Deadline: 06/09/2025
Sponsor Application Deadline: 06/30/2025
This opportunity seeks to deepen the U.S. Department of State’s engagement with U.S. citizens who are alumni of U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs (“U.S. exchange alumni”) and support U.S. foreign policy and public diplomacy objectives.
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 06/09/2025. For more information regarding the internal selection process, visit https://research.unl.edu/fundingopps/active-limited-submission-competitions/.
