This document outlines five criteria for evaluating student grant proposals: 1) addressing a well-formulated research question, 2) having merit and feasibility, 3) clearly explaining the proposed work, 4) demonstrating knowledge of previous related work, and 5) being cost-effective. It also lists common pitfalls such as proposals being beyond a student's capabilities or unrealistic in terms of costs, equipment or time requirements.
2. Criterion #1:
Does the proposal address a
well-formulated question,
hypothesis, problem or need?
3. Criterion #2:
Does the proposal have merit? (i.e. is it
feasible and more than just a wish-list of
desirable goals)
4. Criterion #3:
Does the proposal clearly explain
what work will be done? (results
outcomes, measures of success)
5. Criterion #4:
Is there evidence that the writer knows
about work that others have done on the
problem? (i.e., literature review,
explanation of how proposed work or
project will advance, challenge, or fill a gap).
aka DO YOUR RESEARCH.
6. Criterion #5:
Is the proposed project cost effective?
(research costs, provide a line-item budget.)
7. Common pitfalls of student proposals:
Writer proposes to do research at a level they’re not really
capable of doing.
Writer proposes a project that’s not feasible or is
unrealistic (in cost, equipment, knowledge, time, etc.)
Question, problem, or need is unclear. Not clear what
outcome of research will be, or what would constitute
success or failure.
Writer is unaware of related research or projects.
Proposal uses too much technical jargon, assumes too
much expertise on part of reviewers.
