Section 656.23 - [Effective 8/15/2025] What selection criteria does the Secretary use to evaluate an application for an additional special purpose grant to a Center?The Secretary evaluates an application for an additional special purpose grant for a Center on the basis of one or more of the criteria in this section.
(a)Project design and rationale. The Secretary reviews each application to determine one or more of the following:(1) The extent to which the project aligns with the Center's approved area of focus under § 656.3(a) and proposes at least one type of activity described in § 656.4(a)-(g) .(2) The extent to which the intended outcomes of the proposed project are clearly specified, possible to achieve within the project period, and address specific gaps or weaknesses in services, infrastructure, or opportunities related to the Center's area of focus, the purpose of the National Resource Centers program described in § 656.1 , and the appropriate type of Center described in § 656.3(b)-(c) .(3) The extent to which the project is likely to contribute to meeting national needs related to language and area studies knowledge or expertise.(4) The extent to which the proposed project is designed to build academic and/or institutional capacity and sustain results beyond the project period.(b)Project planning and budget. The Secretary reviews each application to determine one or more of the following:(1) The extent to which all proposed activities are adequately described relative to their contribution to the proposed project's intended outcomes.(2) The extent to which all proposed activities are of high quality, including the degree to which they align with the purpose of the National Resource Centers program as described in § 656.1 , the appropriate type of Center described in § 656.3(b)-(c) , and the proposed project's intended outcomes.(3) The extent to which the proposed timeline of activities and other application materials, such as letters of support, demonstrate the feasibility of completing proposed activities during the project period.(4) The extent to which all costs are itemized in the budget narrative and the costs are reasonable in relation to the objectives, design, and potential significance of the proposed project.(c)Key personnel and project operations. The Secretary reviews each application to determine one or both of the following:(1) The extent to which project personnel are qualified to oversee and carry out the proposed project.(2) The adequacy of staffing, governance, and oversight arrangements, and, for a consortium, the extent to which the consortium agreement demonstrates commitment to a common objective.(d)Quality of project evaluation. The Secretary reviews each application to determine one or more of the following: (1) The extent to which the methods of evaluation are thorough, feasible, and appropriate to the proposed project.(2) The extent to which the methods of evaluation will provide performance feedback and permit periodic assessment of progress toward achieving the proposed project's intended outcomes.(3) The qualifications, including relevant training, experience, and independence, of the evaluator(s).