We run some grant programmes where applications always open and are assessed as/when submitted. This is because it awards very small amounts of money to grassroots groups and we want the process to be as quick and efficient as possible. This means that we have no use for the project start date field, because projects/grants will start as soon as they are awarded. We don't need to know when they will start, we just need to know when they plan to finish.

At the moment, application forms in the new applicant portal requires that you include the project start and end date in application forms. I don't think this should be the case, as it doesn't allow you to tailor the form to your target audience or programme needs.