[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: 7CFR3400.5]

[Page 303-304]
 
                          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 A_General
 
Sec. 3400.5  Evaluation and disposition of applications.

    (a) Evaluation. All proposals received from eligible applicants in 
accordance with eligible research problem or program areas and deadlines 
established in the applicable request for proposals shall be evaluated 
by the Administrator through such officers, employees, and others as the 
Administrator determines are uniquely qualified in the areas of research 
represented by particular projects. To assist in equitably and 
objectively evaluating proposals and to obtain the best possible balance 
of viewpoints, the Administrator shall solicit the advice of peer 
scientists, ad hoc reviewers, or others who are recognized specialists 
in the research program areas covered by the applications received and 
whose general roles are defined in Sec. Sec. 3400.2(j) and 3400.2(k). 
Specific evaluations will be based upon the criteria established in 
subpart B Sec. 3400.15, unless CSREES determines that different 
criteria are necessary for the proper evaluation of proposals in one or 
more specific program areas, and announces such criteria and their 
relative importance in the annual program solicitation. The overriding 
purpose of such evaluations is to provide information upon which the 
Administrator can make informed judgments in selecting proposals for 
ultimate support. Incomplete, unclear, or poorly organized applications 
will work to the detriment of applicants during

[[Page 304]]

the peer evaluation process. To ensure a comprehensive evaluation, all 
applications should be written with the care and thoroughness accorded 
papers for publication.
    (b) Disposition. On the basis of the Administrator's evaluation of 
an application in accordance with paragraph (a) of this section, the 
Administrator will
    (1) Approve support using currently available funds,
    (2) Defer support due to lack of funds or a need for further 
evaluations, or
    (3) Disapprove support for the proposed project in whole or in part.

With respect to approved projects, the Administrator will determine the 
project period (subject to extension as provided in Sec. 3400.7(c)) 
during which the project may be supported. Any deferral or disapproval 
of an application will not preclude its reconsideration or a 
reapplication during subsequent fiscal years.