§ 57.3106 - 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 award grants to applicants whose projects best promote the purposes of section 748 of the Act. The Secretary will take into consideration, among other factors:

(1) The degree to which the proposed project adequately provides for the project requirements set forth in § 57.3105;

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

(3) The qualifications of the proposed staff and faculty;

(4) The potential of the project to continue on a self-sustaining basis; and

(5) For faculty development programs, the applicant must demonstrate the institution's commitment to general internal medicine and/or general pediatrics as defined under § 57.3102.

(b) In determining the funding of applications approved under paragraph (a) of this section, the Secretary shall give priority to applicants that demonstrate a commitment to general internal medicine and general pediatrics in their medical education training programs. However, should specific needs warrant, the Secretary will consider any other special factors relating to national needs as the Secretary may from time to time announce in the Federal Register.