[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: 7CFR3411.5]

[Page 398-399]
 
                          TITLE 7--AGRICULTURE
 
  CHAPTER XXXIV--COOPERATIVE STATE RESEARCH, EDUCATION, AND EXTENSION 
                   SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
 
PART 3411_NATIONAL RESEARCH INITIATIVE COMPETITIVE GRANTS PROGRAM
--Table of Contents
 
                            Subpart A_General
 
Sec. 3411.5  Evaluation and disposition of applications.

    (a) Evaluation. All proposals received from eligible applicants and 
postmarked in accordance with deadlines established in the annual 
program solicitation shall be evaluated by the Administrator through 
such officers, employees, and others as the Administrator determines are 
uniquely qualified in the areas 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, and/or others who are 
recognized specialists in the areas covered by the applications received 
and whose general roles are defined in Sec. Sec. 3411.2(j) and 
3411.2(k). Specific evaluations will be based upon the criteria 
established in subpart B, Sec. 3411.15, unless CSRS determines that 
different criteria are necessary for the proper evaluation of proposals 
in one or more specific program areas, or for specific types of projects 
to be supported, and announces such criteria and their relative 
importance in the annual program solicitation. The overriding purpose of 
these evaluations is to provide information upon which the Administrator 
may make informed judgments in selecting proposals for ultimate support. 
Incomplete, unclear, or poorly organized applications will work to the 
detriment of applicants during 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)

[[Page 399]]

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. 3411.7(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.

[56 FR 57952, Nov. 14, 1991. Redesignated at 60 FR 63368, Dec. 8, 1995, 
as amended at 61 FR 45319, Aug. 29, 1996]