[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: 7CFR3411.5]

[Page 412-413]
 
                          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 
received 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 Sec. 3411.15, unless CSREES 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) 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

[[Page 413]]

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; 71 FR 54898, Sept. 20, 2006]