§ 324.31 - What are the selection criteria for evaluating applications for research projects?

The Secretary uses the criteria in this section to evaluate applications for research projects. The maximum score for all of the criteria is 100 points.

(a) Plan of operation. (10 points) (1) The Secretary reviews each application to determine the quality of the plan of operation for the project.

(2) The Secretary looks for—

(i) High quality in the design of the project;

(ii) An effective plan of management that insures proper and efficient administration of the project;

(iii) A clear description of how the objectives of the project relate to the purpose of the program;

(iv) The way the applicant plans to use its resources and personnel to achieve each objective; and

(v) A clear description of how the applicant will provide equal access and treatment for eligible project participants who are members of groups that have been traditionally underrepresented, such as—

(A) Members of racial or ethnic minority groups;

(B) Women;

(C) Individuals with disabilities; and

(D) The elderly.

(b) Quality of key personnel. (10 points) (1) The Secretary reviews each application to determine the qualifications of the key personnel that applicant plans to use on the project.

(2) The Secretary considers—

(i) The qualifications of the project director (if one is to be used);

(ii) The qualifications of each of the other key personnel to be used in the project;

(iii) The time that each person referred to in paragraphs (b)(2) (i) and (ii) of this section will commit to the project; and

(iv) The extent to which the applicant, as part of its nondiscriminatory employment practices, encourages applications for employment from persons who are members of groups that have been traditionally underrepresented, such as—

(A) Members of racial or ethnic minority groups;

(B) Women;

(C) Individuals with disabilities; and

(D) The elderly.

(3) To determine personnel qualifications, the Secretary considers experience and training, in fields related to the objectives of the project, as well as other evidence that the applicant provides.

(c) Budget and cost effectiveness. (5 points) (1) The Secretary reviews each application to determine if the project has an adequate budget and is cost effective.

(2) The Secretary considers the extent to which—

(i) The budget for the project is adequate to support the project activities; and

(ii) Costs are reasonable in relation to the objectives of the project.

(d) Evaluation plan. (5 points) (1) The Secretary reviews each application to determine the quality of the evaluation plan for the project.

(2) The Secretary considers the extent to which the methods of evaluation that are appropriate for the project and, to the extent possible, are objective and produce data that are quantifiable.

(e) Adequacy of resources. (5 points) (1) The Secretary reviews each application to determine if the applicant plans to devote adequate resources to the project.

(2) The Secretary considers the extent to which—

(i) The facilities that the applicant plans to use are adequate; and

(ii) The equipment and supplies that the applicant plans to use are adequate.

(f) Importance. (10 points) The Secretary reviews each application to determine the importance of the project in leading to the understanding of, remediation of, or compensation for, the problem or issue that relates to the early intervention with or special education of infants, toddlers, children, and youth with disabilities.

(g) Impact. (5 points) The Secretary reviews each application to determine the probable impact of the proposed research and development products and the extent to which those products can be expected to have a direct influence on infants, toddlers, children, and youth with disabilities or personnel responsible for their education or early intervention services.

(h) Organizational capability. (10 points) The Secretary considers—

(1) The applicant's experience in special education or early intervention services; and

(2) The ability of the applicant to disseminate the findings of the project to appropriate groups to ensure that they can be used effectively.

(i) Technical soundness. (40 points) The Secretary reviews each application to determine the technical soundness of the research or evaluation plan, including—

(1) The design;

(2) The proposed sample;

(3) Instrumentation; and

(4) Data analysis procedures.

(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number 1820-0028)