Good morning,

In my experience, regardless of a deadline policy, sponsored programs offices will pull out all the stops to get a proposal submitted on time and rarely hold to the “? Day submission” deadlines and not submit a proposal.  In general, I am of the opinion that if you have a policy and don’t support it, then that is worse than having no policy at all.

Here’s a different approach to chew on.  This is in very rough form, but just looking at it from a different point of view.   Rather than have a deadline based on timing, how about deadlines based on level of service(s) provided by the sponsored programs office.  For example, proposals received 5 business days prior to the sponsor deadline will have a complete review against the RFA/PA, including some editing/suggestions for the narrative, justifications, all admin details, etc.  Proposals received 3 days prior will have administrative forms and budgets reviewed.  Proposals received less than 3 days may have some review as workload permits, but mostly submitted without prior review.  In all cases the institution reserves the right to not submit or withdraw and application after submission.  This approach leaves more of the risk burden on the PI.

Wishing everyone a great week.

Maryellen O’Brien

Interim Project Consultant

Huron Consulting Group