If you have applied for a PCC grant, or have been browsing our website recently, you may have come across references to application ‘re-submissions’. This blog will provide an overview of who is eligible to re-submit a grant application, and important guidelines to keep in mind when doing so.

What is a Re-submission?

Simply put, a PCC re-submission is a grant application that has been modified and improved for reconsideration by the PCC Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) after being rejected for funding initially. Not all rejected applicants are eligible to re-submit their project, but many are.

Who is Eligible?

Investigators invited to re-submit their proposals will receive the status ‘project is eligible for re-submission’ on their PCC feedback document. These investigators will have presented research with a high potential for success/impact in the anti-doping field, but some portion of the application requires modification before funding can be considered.

What Changes Need to be Made?

Investigators wishing to resubmit their projects for funding consideration must thoughtfully and comprehensively address the concerns of the PCC Scientific Advisory Board. The application feedback document provided by the PCC will outline such concerns, and should be considered a valuable resource during the re-application process.

The necessary revisions will vary with each proposal; however, common reasons for requiring a re-submission include:

  1. Budget (items) are not justified and/or should be amended
  2. Additional preliminary data (or an explanation of such) is required
  3. Additional experts or resources are required
  4. Experimental design or methodology must be elaborated on, or specific concerns addressed

While addressing the specific questions and concerns of the Scientific Advisory Board should be the focus of a re-submission, providing additional information (such as preliminary data, a letter of intent from an expert in the field willing to collaborate on the project, or newly published research corroborating methodologies or hypotheses) may be helpful when attempting to showcase proof of concept.

How Long is the Re-submission Window Open?

Investigators should submit their revised application within one year of the original grant proposal in accordance with PCC cycle deadlines. After one year, there is less certainty the project will remain in alignment with the PCC’s evolving research priorities, So a new original application is required.

I’m Eligible: How and When Can I Re-Submit?

Re-submissions follow the same protocol and deadlines as original grant applications, and will require a new pre-application. A few additional steps are needed for re-submissions, which are outlined below. Navigate to your login portal on the PCC website to begin the process.

As a reminder, the PCC’s cycle deadlines are:

Cycle Pre-Application Due Date Full Application/Re-Submission Due Date
1 February 1st March 1st
2 August 1st September 1st

Conclusion

The PCC welcomes re-submissions from investigators presenting high-quality research in alignment with PCC research priorities. Re-submissions should directly address the questions and/or concerns of the PCC SAB while showcasing knowledge of the needs and challenges of the anti-doping field.

(Still have questions? Email Jocelyn Quiles at jquiles@cleancompetition.org.)