[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 7, Volume 15]
[Revised as of January 1, 2008]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 7CFR3401.7]

[Page 325]
 
                          TITLE 7--AGRICULTURE
 
  CHAPTER XXXIV--COOPERATIVE STATE RESEARCH, EDUCATION, AND EXTENSION 
                   SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
 
PART 3401_RANGELAND RESEARCH GRANTS PROGRAM--Table of Contents
 
                            Subpart A_General
 
Sec. 3401.7  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 particularly 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 may 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. 
Specific evaluations will be based upon the criteria established in 
subpart B of this part, Sec. 3401.17, 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 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 approve using currently available funds, defer 
support due to lack of funds or a need for further evaluations, or 
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. 3401.9(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.