How the selection process works
The first step in the process is to submit a completed Letter of Intent (LOI) to RDS using the form available at the bottom of each opportunity. If we receive fewer LOIs than the number of submissions allowed, you will be authorized. If we receive more inquiries than the sponsor allows, you will be instructed to complete a brief white paper. RDS will provide specific instructions for each white paper competition, but PIs are always encouraged to include any relevant contextual information in the white papers, e.g. if your program officer has specifically encouraged you to apply, you have funding through a companion program, you have encouraging reviews from a previous application to the same program. White papers are then peer-reviewed to select the most competitive application.
Occasionally, a sponsor releases a limited submission announcement with insufficient time for RDS to follow the normal selection process. In such cases, the competition will be announced as “expedited”. Instead of LOIs, RDS will indicate that white papers should be submitted at the initial stage of the process and they will immediately be sent for review.
The program I want to apply to isn’t listed
If the program you want to apply to is not on this list, please email RDS@uic.edu. This will trigger the normal public posting and selection process. If RDS determines there is insufficient time for the normal process, we will authorize a PI to submit based on a first-come, first-served basis.
I already have funding through a program with a limited submission
Projects applying for renewal through an institutionally-limited program will have priority for university slots. Please contact RDS if you have a funded project that precludes new submissions or if you plan to apply for renewal funding.
Who reviews the internal selection process
The Campus Research Board (CRB), an RDS managed cohort of UIC faculty, conduct internal independent reviews to select candidates for limited opportunities in situations where we have a greater number of applicants than the sponsor allows.
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