Letter of intent --- then move to new institution?

[AJ_Katz]

I'll be leading a $2M USDA multi-institution grant in the coming year.  The LOI is due at the end of this year and there is a possibility that I will be a at a new institution sometime in the mid-to-late spring semester.  This is not the full proposal being submitted, that will happen later, but there is still text in this RFA stating that grants are made to an institution.  I've moved grants from one institution to the next and know what all is involved, but in this case with multiple PI's receiving sub-awards, it would be even more cumbersome. 

In this case, I'm thinking that I might be able to submit the LOI this fall at one institution and then submit the full proposal through the next institution, should a move occur.  Anyone know if that is possible?  Or will the proposal be DQ'd because the LOI came from one institution and the proposal from a different one?

[Hibush]

Call the program manager listed for that program in the RFA. They can tell you how to set this up. They do not want to lose your application on a technicality.

[fizzycist]

Dont know much about USDA, but I doubt this is possible.

Is LOI competitively reviewed or just a placeholder? Either way, it sounds like it would be easiest to just ask one of your colleagues to lead. I'm not sure how things work in your field, but in my area leading a 2M multi-stage-review, multi-institution grant, when you are planning to switch schools, is just not worth the energy, especially if you are planning to fight to stay PI after the move. If you push through as PI and then pull a switcheroo, you might piss off any co-PIs at your current school, especially if you try to drag a big portion of the funds with you. If you play a supporting role, and your new school is already involved, you may be permitted to move your modest share with you without bothering anyone.