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.

1. CRITERIA
for judging
student grant proposals

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.