Reminder: Sponsored Project Services (SPS) Three-Day Deadline

Aug. 21, 2024

The mission of the SPS Preaward Services Team includes facilitating the submission of grant proposals by helping UA researchers comply with budgetary requirements and government regulations. Most Federal agencies require online proposal submission through Grants.gov, ASSIST, Research.gov, etc.. The necessary steps for a comprehensive review of these proposal submissions takes time. While some agencies allow an easy file upload for submission, others require more complicated procedures, involving multiple steps for the Principal Investigator and for the SPS Preaward Services Team. The SPS Preaward team reviews on a First In, First Out basis, so while the deadlines may vary, Preaward will review based on which proposal entered the SPS route path first.                                                  

Please find the following chart reflecting the Three-Day deadline:

*If the UA is closed due to a holiday or closure, the day will fall to the next active business day.

The policy states the following:

  • All proposals, routed UAR proposals, and electronic submission, should be submitted to SPS in final form* by 8:00 a.m. 3 full business days prior to the funding-agency deadline.
  • Requests for indirect cost waivers should be submitted to SPS with the attached signed form 5 business days prior to the proposal agency deadline for paper proposals, 8 business days for electronic submissions.
  • Colleges and departments may have additional submission deadline requirements, please inquire with your college/departments as soon as possible.
  • This policy includes any items that need an authorized signature or review before correspondence or submission to the sponsor (for example RPPRs and revised budgets).
  • Proposals routed outside of the 3-Day Deadline run the risk of not being submitted to the sponsor and SPS cannot guarantee submission.
  • Submission to a sponsor outside of internal review is against UA policy and is not legally binding.

*Final form for electronic proposals means that the proposal is final in its entirety, including the proposal routing, and ready for submission to the sponsoring agency.

Office of Research Contracts (ORC) timeline:

For forms or terms/conditions that require an authorized signature these should be submitted in time to allow for multiple offices to review. ORC serves the entire institution in their review, negotiation and acceptance of terms and conditions at time of proposal. When documents at time of proposal require such review or signature, ORC is the authority for approval. To obtain such signatures in a timely manner, ORC requires a 7-business day turnaround for reviews for proposal related documents. ORC’s current turnaround for incoming award reviews is 15 business days.

Please email any questions you may have to sponsor@arizona.edu.