Institute for Research & Scholarship

HAC Research Proposal Evaluation Guidelines

When evaluating research (i.e., Faculty Fellowship and Faculty Research Grant) proposals, members of the HAC will base their judgments on an evaluation of how well the proposal meets the criteria put forth in these guidelines. Committee members will evaluate proposals on each of the overall criteria listed below.

Background: Has the author clearly explained relevant prior research? Is the proposed research clearly grounded in past work on the topic?                                                                                  

Objectives:Is there a clear statement of the research hypothesis/goal of the project?         

Significance to the Field:How important is the proposed activity to advancing knowledge or understanding within its own field or across different fields? What are the basic and applied significance of the project?   Does the activity suggest and explore creative, original, or potentially transformative concepts?                                                                                

Methodology:Is the method(s) of approach to addressing the primary research question appropriate and clear? Is it clear how the data will be analyzed? Is there sufficient access to resources?                                                                                                                                   

Reporting:Has the author clearly stated how the results will be disseminated to enhance scientific and technological understanding?                                                                                    

Budget: Did the author follow the budgetary guidelines of the grant? Are all budget lines adequately justified, including specific equipment, supply cost, estimates of number of hour/pay scale for personnel (e.g. students; other personnel), travel, and publication cost? Does the narrative adequately justify the requested funding?                                                                  

Significance to the Author:How will the project complement the author's program of research? (i.e., is the project related to a continuous program of research with a long-term goal?)            

Broader Impact:Does the activity promote teaching, new course development, student learning, new concept development? Does the proposed activity enhance the infrastructure for research and education, such as facilities, instrumentation, networks, partnership or outside funding?                                                                                                                        

Written Quality of Proposal:Is the proposal well written? Has the author described the topic in a way that is comprehensible to people who are not experts in his or her field?                

CV:How well qualified is the author (and any other personnel) to conduct the project? Is there a track record in the subject area being proposed?  If the author has been supported by HAC in the past, what are the outcomes of these grants? Has the author presented the work at professional conferences? Have any publications resulted from the work?  Has the author made any effort to seek external funding?