[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: 7CFR3415.5]

[Page 423-424]
 
                          TITLE 7--AGRICULTURE
 
  CHAPTER XXXIV--COOPERATIVE STATE RESEARCH, EDUCATION, AND EXTENSION 
                   SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
 
PART 3415_BIOTECHNOLOGY RISK ASSESSMENT RESEARCH GRANTS PROGRAM--Table of Contents
 
                            Subpart A_General
 
Sec. 3415.5  Evaluation and disposition of applications.

    (a) Evaluation. All proposals received from eligible applicants and 
submitted 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 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 areas covered by the applications 
received and whose general roles are defined in Sec. 3415.2. Specific 
evaluations will be based upon the criteria established in subpart B, 
Sec. 3415.15, unless CSREES and/or ARS determine 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

[[Page 424]]

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 an informed judgment in selecting 
proposals for 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 evaluation, 
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. 3415.7(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.