A proposal is a detailed request for funding prepared in accordance with the sponsor’s instructions that must comply with Institute policies and sponsor requirements. Upon submission, a proposal becomes an official record of what MIT promised to a sponsor.
Roles and Responsibilities
- Principal Investigator (PI): prepares the proposal in conjunction with an administrative or fiscal officer.
- Research Administration Services (RAS): provides Institute endorsement, reviews and submits proposals, and accepts awards on behalf of MIT and its faculty.
Approval and Submission
In accordance with the Proposal Submission Deadline Policy, the complete and final proposal must be received by RAS at or before 9am five full business days before the sponsor deadline date. The sponsor due date is not part of the RAS review period calculation.
RAS Due Date Calculator
Proposals are due to RAS at 9am on the calculated due date.
When MIT is a subrecipient, you should assume the direct sponsor’s internal deadline is the sponsor due date.
Proposals received after the RAS due date require a waiver and will receive limited review. Proposals submitted on a waiver must be final and complete and will be submitted as received.
DLCI submission on a waiver may result in the following:
- Proposals may be incomplete or incorrect when submitted and rejected by the sponsor.
- Terms and conditions included in a late proposal submission may not be accepted by MIT.
- Proposals will not receive review comments returned to the DLCI.
- Waiver proposals will not be prioritized over timely proposals.
RAS Due Date Example
Updated November 18, 2025