PI Direct Submission (Web-based Portals)

A growing number of private foundations, businesses, and other nonfederal organizations are accepting and requiring paperless proposal submissions. Some sponsors accept proposals by email, while others require that proposals be submitted through application systems featured on their websites, or through collaborative e-grants websites. In most cases, principal investigators or department administrators will submit nonfederal electronic applications. However, all electronic proposals still must be reviewed by ORA prior to submission.

***Before registering with a web-based portal please contact Matt McSpadden at 207-581-1419, so he can determine whether there needs to be an Organizational login or just a PI login***

If you have created a user account in a private web-based portal system, please provide ORA access to your proposal by one of the following ways:

  • Provide ORA your login and password for the sponsor portal.
  • Set up a meeting with ORA to review and submit proposal in office.
  • Email completed electronic applications to the ORA staff member you are working with.
  •  Some nonfederal sponsors may require a signed paper copy of the application in addition to an electronic one. Deliver the signed paper copy to ORA for submission to the sponsor.

This access allows ORA to perform a thorough review of your proposal, sponsor requirements, possible representations and certifications and organizational information prior to your submission to the sponsor. Ensuring all components of the proposal are complete prior to submission will prevent delays in award negotiation, acceptance and account set up.

After ORA grant administrators complete their review of the proposal, they will send an email notification to the PI, forward proposal documents to the AOR for permission to submit. Once permission is granted by the AOR to submit, ORA will submit the proposal.