Letter of IntentLOI
A short advance notice that an applicant plans to submit, letting the sponsor plan its review. Usually non-binding.
Many programs ask for a letter of intent (or pre-application) weeks before the full proposal. It names the applicant, the topic, and sometimes collaborators, so the sponsor can plan review panels. It's typically not binding and not scored.
Some sponsors use a required pre-application or preliminary proposal as a true gate: only invited applicants submit a full proposal, so the NOFO's language matters.
A missed LOI deadline can bar the full proposal entirely when the sponsor treats it as mandatory.
Track this in GrantsManager
GrantsManager gives PIs and administrators one real-time view of proposals, awards, budgets, and compliance, so terms like this stop living in spreadsheets.