October 2009
Questions Reviewers Ask…
The rubric below can be helpful as you build your grant proposal. Reviewers will want to see clear answers to these questions in your proposal!
An increasing number of state and federal Requests for Proposals (RFP’s) include the exact scoring rubric that reviewers will use to score your proposal, along with the number of possible points in each category. If the rubric is included in the RFP, use it in addition to the questions below to spot weak areas that need improving before your proposal is submitted. Don’t hesitate to use a fresh pair of eyes to catch inaccurate, inconsistent, or unclear information – before the reviewer catches it!
Project Specific |
Yes |
No |
Acceptable |
Suggestion for Improvement |
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1 |
Does the proposal show sufficient understanding of funder priorities and guidelines? |
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2 |
Do the proposal's objectives fit those of the funder? |
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3 |
Has the proposal demonstrated how important the problem is to society? |
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4 |
Can the proposal's approach help solve the problem? |
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5 |
Has the proposal introduced any elements which could delay the project? |
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6 |
Does the proposal have an efficient time schedule? |
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7 |
Is the time schedule realistic? |
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8 |
Does the proposal provide for the use of community resources and input? |
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9 |
If a survey sample is needed, has the proposal chosen an adequate one? |
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10 |
Does the proposal clearly indicate its possible products (publications, video, recordings, advertisements, etc.)? |
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11 |
Does the proposal deal with all clearance requirements from government agencies (zoning, special permits)? |
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Staffing |
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1 |
Does the proposal clearly specify staff assignments? |
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2 |
Are the staff assigned to specific tasks qualified to perform them, based on documented experience and training? |
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3 |
Are resumes sufficient to evaluate personnel? |
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4 |
Are qualified personnel available? |
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5 |
Are consultants' tasks clearly specified? |
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6 |
Is the project manager identified? |
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Equipment & Facilities |
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1 |
Has the proposal specified the necessary equipment and facilities? |
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Does the proposal document access to outside facilities where needed? |
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3 |
Has lease vs. purchase for equipment been evaluated? |
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4 |
Are there quotes attached to compare lease vs. purchase? |
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5 |
Has a good argument been made to purchase equipment? |
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Credibility |
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Does the organization have a clear and important mission? |
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2 |
Does the board appear strong, knowledgeable and committed to the project? |
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3 |
Is the organization's purpose related to the proposal in a clear way? |
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4 |
Is the organization's reputation in its field clearly stated? |
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5 |
Has the president or chair of the board signed the cover letter? |
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6 |
If a new organization, does it show the potential to thrive? |
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Budget |
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1 |
Is the budget request to this funding source within its funding range? |
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2 |
Are equipment costs documented? |
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3 |
Is the personnel budget realistic? |
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4 |
Does the budget account for use of consultants, and at a reasonable rate? |
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5 |
Does the budget reflect internal support? |
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6 |
Does the budget show other support for this project? |
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7 |
Are all project tasks reflected in the budget? |
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8 |
Does the budget include the administrative fee? |
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9 |
Is the budget cost effective and commensurate with needs? |
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10 |
Does the budget (and proposal) address future funding? |
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Evaluation/Results |
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Does the proposal include an evaluation plan that is either qualitative or quantitative? |
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Has the proposal set up an evaluation procedure that will truly reflect the success or failure of the project? |
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3 |
Does the proposal clearly demonstrate how results will be used? Will they be disseminated? |
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