[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 7, Volume 15]
[Revised as of January 1, 2005]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 7CFR3400.20]

[Page 308-309]
 
                          TITLE 7--AGRICULTURE
 
  CHAPTER XXXIV--COOPERATIVE STATE RESEARCH, EDUCATION, AND EXTENSION 
                   SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
 
PART 3400_SPECIAL RESEARCH GRANTS PROGRAM--Table of Contents
 
          Subpart C_Peer and Merit Review Arranged by Grantees
 
Sec. 3400.20  Grantee review prior to award.

    Source: 64 FR 34104, June 24, 1999, unless otherwise noted.


    (a) Review requirement. Prior to the award of a standard or 
continuation grant by CSREES, any proposed project shall have undergone 
a review arranged by the grantee as specified in this subpart. For 
research projects, such review must be a scientific peer review 
conducted in accordance with Sec. 3400.21. For education and extension 
projects, such review must be a merit review conducted in accordance 
with Sec. 3400.22.
    (b) Credible and independent. Review arranged by the grantee must 
provide for a credible and independent assessment of the proposed 
project. A credible review is one that provides an appraisal of 
technical quality and relevance sufficient for an organizational 
representative to make an informed judgment as to whether the proposal 
is appropriate for submission for Federal support. To provide for an 
independent review, such review may include USDA employees, but should 
not be conducted solely by USDA employees.

[[Page 309]]

    (c) Notice of completion and retention of records. A notice of 
completion of review shall be conveyed in writing to CSREES either as 
part of the submitted proposal or prior to the issuance of an award, at 
the option of CSREES. The written notice constitutes certification by 
the applicant that a review in compliance with these regulations has 
occurred. Applicants are not required to submit results of the review to 
CSREES; however, proper documentation of the review process and results 
should be retained by the applicant.
    (d) Renewal and supplemental grants. Review by the grantee is not 
automatically required for renewal or supplemental grants as defined in 
Sec. 3400.6. A subsequent grant award will require a new review if, 
according to CSREES, either the funded project has changed 
significantly, other scientific discoveries have affected the project, 
or the need for the project has changed. Note that a new review is 
necessary when applying for another standard or continuation grant after 
expiration of the grant term.