§ 57.1605 - How will applications be evaluated?

(a) As required by section 798(a) of the Act, each application for a grant under this subpart shall be submitted to a peer review group, composed principally of non-Federal experts, for an evaluation of the merits of the proposals made in the application. The Secretary may not approve such an application unless a peer review group has recommended the application for approval. The Secretary will approve projects which best promote the purposes of section 747 of the Act and these regulations. The Secretary will consider, among other factors:

(1) The degree to which the proposed project provides for the project requirements in § 57.1604;

(2) The administrative and management ability of the applicant to carry out the proposed project in a cost-effective manner; and

(3) The potential of the project to continue on a self-sustaining basis.

(b) In determining the funding of projects approved under paragraph (a) of this section, the Secretary will consider any special factors relating to national needs as the Secretary may from time to time announce in the Federal Register.