[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: 7CFR3411.15]

[Page 416-417]
 
                          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 B_Scientific Peer Review of Research Grant Applications
 
Sec. 3411.15  Evaluation factors.

    Subject to the varying conditions and needs of States, Federally 
funded agricultural research supported under this program shall be 
designed to, among other things, accomplish one or more of the following 
purposes: Continue to satisfy human food and fiber needs; enhance the 
long-term viability and competitiveness of the food production and 
agricultural system of the

[[Page 417]]

United States within the global economy; expand economic opportunities 
in rural America and enhance the quality of life for farmers, rural 
citizens, and society as a whole; improve the productivity of the 
American Agricultural system and develop new agricultural crops and new 
uses for agricultural commodities; develop information and systems to 
enhance the environment and the natural resource base upon which a 
sustainable agricultural economy depends; or enhance human health. 
Therefore, in carrying out its review under Sec. 3411.14, the peer 
review group shall take into account the following factors unless, 
pursuant to Sec. 3411.5(a), different evaluation criteria are specified 
in the program solicitation:
    (a) Scientific merit of the proposal.
    (1) Conceptual adequacy of hypothesis;
    (2) Clarity and delineation of objectives;
    (3) Adequacy of the description of the undertaking and suitability 
and feasibility of methodology;
    (4) Demonstration of feasibility through preliminary data;
    (5) Probability of success of project; and
    (6) Novelty, uniqueness and originality.
    (b) Qualifications of proposed project personnel and adequacy of 
facilities.
    (1) Training and demonstrated awareness of previous and alternative 
approaches to the problem identified in the proposal, and performance 
record and/or potential for future accomplishments;
    (2) Time allocated for systematic attainment of objectives;
    (3) Institutional experience and competence in subject area; and
    (4) Adequacy of available or obtainable support personnel, 
facilities, and instrumentation.
    (c) Relevance of project to long-range improvements in and 
sustainability of United States agriculture or to one or more of the 
research purposes outlined in the first paragraph of this section.
    (1) Scientific contribution of research in leading to important 
discoveries or significant breakthroughs in announced program areas; and
    (2) Relevance of the research to agricultural, environmental, or 
social needs.

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