The CIC help its members during the pre-award process by helping them pool resources. For example if Iowa and Penn State plan to submit a bid for the same grant or contract, then the CIC does have administrative resources to help both schools submit a joint bid instead of competing against each other. Likewise, if Wisconsin is planning to submit a bid for a grant and Ohio State is thinking about submitting its own bid, the CIC has resources in place to where Ohio State could decide to become a sub on Wisconsin's bid (assuming Wisconsin agrees to it) instead of being the prime on its own bid and potentially not get the bid. Basically what I am suggesting is that a school would rather get some money via a joint adventure than potentially $0 on its own.