diff --git a/.env.example b/.env.example
index 32b3cdc9a..869d056e4 100644
--- a/.env.example
+++ b/.env.example
@@ -79,3 +79,4 @@ ES_PASSWORD="duo-password"
 ES_REFRESH=<"wait_for"|"false">
 
 LOGGERS_CONFIG_FILE="loggers.json"
+PROPOSAL_TYPES_FILE="proposalTypes.json"
diff --git a/.github/workflows/test.yml b/.github/workflows/test.yml
index a757094f9..e564bcaf5 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/test.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/test.yml
@@ -173,5 +173,6 @@ jobs:
         run: |
           cp CI/ESS/docker-compose.api.yaml docker-compose.yaml
           cp functionalAccounts.json.test functionalAccounts.json
+          cp proposalTypes.example.json proposalTypes.json
           docker compose up --build -d
           npm run test:api
diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
index a29dbc032..924c630ca 100644
--- a/.gitignore
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@
 /dist
 /node_modules
 functionalAccounts.json
+proposalTypes.json
 loggers.json
 
 # Configs
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 1f4c418bb..dd85794f1 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -40,9 +40,10 @@ Thank you for your interest in contributing to our project!
 3. Add _.env_ file to project root folder. See [Environment variables](#environment-variables).
 4. _Optional_ Add [functionalAccounts.json](#local-user-accounts) file to project root folder to create local users.
 5. _Optional_ Add [loggers.json](#loggers-configuration) file to the root folder and configure multiple loggers.
-6. `npm run start:dev`
-7. Go to http://localhost:3000/explorer to get an overview of available endpoints and database schemas.
-8. To be able to run the e2e tests with the same setup as in the Github actions you will need to run `npm run  prepare:local` and after that run `npm run start:dev`. This will start all needed containers and copy some configuration to the right place.
+6. _Optional_ Add [proposalTypes.json](#prpopsal-types-configuration) file to the root folder and configure the proposal types.
+7. `npm run start:dev`
+8. Go to http://localhost:3000/explorer to get an overview of available endpoints and database schemas.
+9. To be able to run the e2e tests with the same setup as in the Github actions you will need to run `npm run  prepare:local` and after that run `npm run start:dev`. This will start all needed containers and copy some configuration to the right place.
 
 ## Develop in a container using the docker-compose.dev file
 
@@ -50,10 +51,11 @@ Thank you for your interest in contributing to our project!
 2. docker-compose -f docker-compose.dev.yaml up -d
 3. _Optional_ Mount [functionalAccounts.json](#local-user-accounts) file to a volume in the container to create local users.
 4. _Optional_ Mount [loggers.json](#loggers-configuration) file to a volume in the container to configure multiple loggers.
-5. _Optional_ change the container env variables
-6. Attach to the container
-7. `npm run start:dev`
-8. Go to http://localhost:3000/explorer to get an overview of available endpoints and database schemas.
+5. _Optional_ Mount [proposalTypes.json](#prpopsal-types-configuration) file to a volume in the container to configure the proposal types.
+6. _Optional_ change the container env variables
+7. Attach to the container
+8. `npm run start:dev`
+9. Go to http://localhost:3000/explorer to get an overview of available endpoints and database schemas.
 
 ## Test the app
 
@@ -96,6 +98,12 @@ Providing a file called _loggers.json_ at the root of the project, locally or in
 
 The `loggers.json.example` file in the root directory showcases the example of configuration structure for the one or multiple loggers. `logger.service.ts` file contains the configuration handling process logic, and `src/loggers/loggingProviders/grayLogger.ts` includes actual usecase of grayLogger.
 
+### Prpopsal types configuration
+
+Providing a file called _proposalTypes.json_ at the root of the project, locally or in the container, will be automatically loaded into the application configuration service under property called `proposalTypes` and used for validation against proposal creation and update.
+
+The `proposalTypes.json.example` file in the root directory showcases the example of configuration structure for proposal types.
+
 ## Environment variables
 
 Valid environment variables for the .env file. See [.env.example](/.env.example) for examples value formats.
@@ -176,6 +184,7 @@ Valid environment variables for the .env file. See [.env.example](/.env.example)
 | `ES_FIELDS_LIMIT` | number | | The total number of fields in an index. | 1000 |
 | `ES_REFRESH` | string | | If set to `wait_for`, Elasticsearch will wait till data is inserted into the specified index before returning a response. | false |
 | `LOGGERS_CONFIG_FILE` | string | | The file name for loggers configuration, located in the project root directory. | "loggers.json" |
+| `PROPOSAL_TYPES_FILE` | string | | The file name for proposal types configuration, located in the project root directory. | "proposalTypes.json" |
 | `SWAGGER_PATH` | string | Yes | swaggerPath is the path where the swagger UI will be available| "explorer"|
 | `MAX_FILE_UPLOAD_SIZE` | string | Yes | Maximum allowed file upload size | "16mb"|
 
diff --git a/migrations/20241113130700-proposal-type.js b/migrations/20241113130700-proposal-type.js
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..8cc924519
--- /dev/null
+++ b/migrations/20241113130700-proposal-type.js
@@ -0,0 +1,12 @@
+module.exports = {
+  async up(db, client) {
+    db.collection("Proposal").updateMany(
+      { type: { $exists: false } },
+      { $set: { type: "Default Proposal" } },
+    );
+  },
+
+  async down(db, client) {
+    db.collection("Proposal").updateMany({}, { $unset: { type: 1 } });
+  },
+};
diff --git a/package.json b/package.json
index 6b64c6d86..c8265d49f 100644
--- a/package.json
+++ b/package.json
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@
     "test:api": "npm run test:api:jest --maxWorkers=50% && concurrently -k -s first \"wait-on http://localhost:3000/explorer/ && npm run test:api:mocha\" \"npm run start\"",
     "test:api:jest": "jest --config ./test/config/jest-e2e.json --maxWorkers=50%",
     "test:api:mocha": "mocha --config ./test/config/.mocharc.json -r chai/register-should.js",
-    "prepare:local": "docker-compose -f CI/E2E/docker-compose-local.yaml --env-file CI/E2E/.env.elastic-search up  -d && cp functionalAccounts.json.test functionalAccounts.json"
+    "prepare:local": "docker-compose -f CI/E2E/docker-compose-local.yaml --env-file CI/E2E/.env.elastic-search up  -d && cp functionalAccounts.json.test functionalAccounts.json && cp proposalTypes.example.json proposalTypes.json"
   },
   "dependencies": {
     "@casl/ability": "^6.3.2",
diff --git a/proposalTypes.example.json b/proposalTypes.example.json
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..912c44040
--- /dev/null
+++ b/proposalTypes.example.json
@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+{
+  "DOORProposal": "DOOR Proposal",
+  "Beamtime": "Beamtime"
+}
diff --git a/src/config/configuration.ts b/src/config/configuration.ts
index 1fc02fbdc..971a2205a 100644
--- a/src/config/configuration.ts
+++ b/src/config/configuration.ts
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ import * as fs from "fs";
 import { merge } from "lodash";
 import localconfiguration from "./localconfiguration";
 import { boolean } from "mathjs";
+import { DEFAULT_PROPOSAL_TYPE } from "src/proposals/schemas/proposal.schema";
 
 const configuration = () => {
   const accessGroupsStaticValues =
@@ -38,9 +39,12 @@ const configuration = () => {
     modulePath: "./loggingProviders/defaultLogger",
     config: {},
   };
-  const jsonConfigMap: { [key: string]: object[] | boolean } = {};
+  const jsonConfigMap: { [key: string]: object | object[] | boolean } = {
+    proposalTypes: {},
+  };
   const jsonConfigFileList: { [key: string]: string } = {
     loggers: process.env.LOGGERS_CONFIG_FILE || "loggers.json",
+    proposalTypes: process.env.PROPOSAL_TYPES_FILE || "proposalTypes.json",
   };
   Object.keys(jsonConfigFileList).forEach((key) => {
     const filePath = jsonConfigFileList[key];
@@ -57,6 +61,11 @@ const configuration = () => {
     }
   });
 
+  // NOTE: Add the default proposal type here
+  Object.assign(jsonConfigMap.proposalTypes, {
+    DefaultProposal: DEFAULT_PROPOSAL_TYPE,
+  });
+
   const config = {
     maxFileUploadSizeInMb: process.env.MAX_FILE_UPLOAD_SIZE || "16mb", // 16MB by default
     versions: {
@@ -203,6 +212,7 @@ const configuration = () => {
       policyPublicationShiftInYears: process.env.POLICY_PUBLICATION_SHIFT ?? 3,
       policyRetentionShiftInYears: process.env.POLICY_RETENTION_SHIFT ?? -1,
     },
+    proposalTypes: jsonConfigMap.proposalTypes,
   };
   return merge(config, localconfiguration);
 };
diff --git a/src/proposals/dto/update-proposal.dto.ts b/src/proposals/dto/update-proposal.dto.ts
index 541c96fbe..c16ef17cb 100644
--- a/src/proposals/dto/update-proposal.dto.ts
+++ b/src/proposals/dto/update-proposal.dto.ts
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ import {
   IsArray,
   IsDateString,
   IsEmail,
+  IsEnum,
   IsObject,
   IsOptional,
   IsString,
@@ -133,6 +134,16 @@ export class UpdateProposalDto extends OwnableDto {
   @IsOptional()
   @IsString()
   readonly parentProposalId?: string;
+
+  @ApiProperty({
+    type: String,
+    required: false,
+    description:
+      "Characterize type of proposal, use some of the configured values",
+  })
+  @IsOptional()
+  @IsString()
+  readonly type?: string;
 }
 
 export class PartialUpdateProposalDto extends PartialType(UpdateProposalDto) {}
diff --git a/src/proposals/proposals.module.ts b/src/proposals/proposals.module.ts
index 557081bdb..c684c2e87 100644
--- a/src/proposals/proposals.module.ts
+++ b/src/proposals/proposals.module.ts
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-import { forwardRef, Module } from "@nestjs/common";
+import { BadRequestException, forwardRef, Module } from "@nestjs/common";
 import { ProposalsService } from "./proposals.service";
 import { ProposalsController } from "./proposals.controller";
 import { MongooseModule } from "@nestjs/mongoose";
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ import { ProposalClass, ProposalSchema } from "./schemas/proposal.schema";
 import { CaslAbilityFactory } from "src/casl/casl-ability.factory";
 import { AttachmentsModule } from "src/attachments/attachments.module";
 import { DatasetsModule } from "src/datasets/datasets.module";
+import { ConfigModule, ConfigService } from "@nestjs/config";
 
 @Module({
   imports: [
@@ -14,7 +15,11 @@ import { DatasetsModule } from "src/datasets/datasets.module";
     MongooseModule.forFeatureAsync([
       {
         name: ProposalClass.name,
-        useFactory: () => {
+        imports: [ConfigModule],
+        inject: [ConfigService],
+        useFactory: async (configService: ConfigService) => {
+          const proposalTypes = configService.get("proposalTypes") || "{}";
+          const proposalTypesArray: string[] = Object.values(proposalTypes);
           const schema = ProposalSchema;
 
           schema.pre<ProposalClass>("save", function (next) {
@@ -23,8 +28,16 @@ import { DatasetsModule } from "src/datasets/datasets.module";
             if (!this._id) {
               this._id = this.proposalId;
             }
+
+            if (this.type && !proposalTypesArray.includes(this.type)) {
+              throw new BadRequestException(
+                `type must be one of the following values: ${proposalTypesArray.join(", ")}`,
+              );
+            }
+
             next();
           });
+
           return schema;
         },
       },
diff --git a/src/proposals/proposals.service.ts b/src/proposals/proposals.service.ts
index 610163b32..09258fdc0 100644
--- a/src/proposals/proposals.service.ts
+++ b/src/proposals/proposals.service.ts
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-import { Inject, Injectable, Scope } from "@nestjs/common";
+import { Inject, Injectable, NotFoundException, Scope } from "@nestjs/common";
 import { REQUEST } from "@nestjs/core";
 import { Request } from "express";
 import { InjectModel } from "@nestjs/mongoose";
@@ -97,15 +97,17 @@ export class ProposalsService {
   ): Promise<ProposalClass | null> {
     const username = (this.request.user as JWTUser).username;
 
-    return this.proposalModel
-      .findOneAndUpdate(
-        filter,
-        addUpdatedByField(updateProposalDto, username),
-        {
-          new: true,
-        },
-      )
-      .exec();
+    const proposal = await this.proposalModel.findOne(filter);
+
+    if (!proposal) {
+      throw new NotFoundException(`Proposal with filter: ${filter} not found`);
+    }
+
+    Object.assign(proposal, addUpdatedByField(updateProposalDto, username));
+
+    const updatedProposal = new this.proposalModel(proposal);
+
+    return updatedProposal.save();
   }
 
   async remove(filter: FilterQuery<ProposalDocument>): Promise<unknown> {
diff --git a/src/proposals/schemas/proposal.schema.ts b/src/proposals/schemas/proposal.schema.ts
index 970931252..9ab2cf1ae 100644
--- a/src/proposals/schemas/proposal.schema.ts
+++ b/src/proposals/schemas/proposal.schema.ts
@@ -8,6 +8,9 @@ import {
   MeasurementPeriodSchema,
 } from "./measurement-period.schema";
 
+// NOTE: This is the proposal default type and it will be used if no proposalTypes.json config file is provided
+export const DEFAULT_PROPOSAL_TYPE = "Default Proposal";
+
 export type ProposalDocument = ProposalClass & Document;
 @Schema({
   collection: "Proposal",
@@ -182,6 +185,20 @@ export class ProposalClass extends OwnableClass {
     ref: "Proposal",
   })
   parentProposalId: string;
+
+  @ApiProperty({
+    type: String,
+    required: true,
+    default: DEFAULT_PROPOSAL_TYPE,
+    description:
+      "Characterize type of proposal, use some of the configured values",
+  })
+  @Prop({
+    type: String,
+    required: true,
+    default: DEFAULT_PROPOSAL_TYPE,
+  })
+  type: string;
 }
 
 export const ProposalSchema = SchemaFactory.createForClass(ProposalClass);
diff --git a/test/Proposal.js b/test/Proposal.js
index a6736a96d..1efa4ea26 100644
--- a/test/Proposal.js
+++ b/test/Proposal.js
@@ -171,6 +171,8 @@ describe("1500: Proposal: Simple Proposal", () => {
       .then((res) => {
         res.body.should.have.property("createdBy").and.be.string;
         res.body.should.have.property("updatedBy").and.be.string;
+        res.body.should.have.property("type").and.be.string;
+        res.body.type.should.be.equal("Default Proposal");
       });
   });
 
@@ -241,6 +243,45 @@ describe("1500: Proposal: Simple Proposal", () => {
       });
   });
 
+  it("0116: adds a new proposal with a type different than default", async () => {
+    const proposalType = "DOOR Proposal";
+    const proposalWithType = {
+      ...TestData.ProposalCorrectComplete,
+      proposalId: faker.string.numeric(8),
+      type: proposalType,
+    };
+
+    return request(appUrl)
+      .post("/api/v3/Proposals")
+      .send(proposalWithType)
+      .set("Accept", "application/json")
+      .set({ Authorization: `Bearer ${accessTokenProposalIngestor}` })
+      .expect(TestData.EntryCreatedStatusCode)
+      .expect("Content-Type", /json/)
+      .then((res) => {
+        res.body.should.have.property("ownerGroup").and.be.string;
+        res.body.should.have.property("proposalId").and.be.string;
+        res.body.type.should.be.equal(proposalType);
+      });
+  });
+
+  it("0117: cannot add a new proposal with a type different than predefined proposal types", async () => {
+    const proposalType = "Incorrect type";
+    const proposalWithIncorrectType = {
+      ...TestData.ProposalCorrectComplete,
+      proposalId: faker.string.numeric(8),
+      type: proposalType,
+    };
+
+    return request(appUrl)
+      .post("/api/v3/Proposals")
+      .send(proposalWithIncorrectType)
+      .set("Accept", "application/json")
+      .set({ Authorization: `Bearer ${accessTokenProposalIngestor}` })
+      .expect(TestData.BadRequestStatusCode)
+      .expect("Content-Type", /json/);
+  });
+
   it("0120: updates a proposal with a new parent proposal", async () => {
     return request(appUrl)
       .patch("/api/v3/Proposals/" + proposalWithParentId)