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RFP and Review Criteria

Proposal Sections:

NCURA Cover Page

Sections A - F, Narrative (limited to 10 pages)

·      Section A: Purpose/Focus of the Project

o   A project’s purpose explains the reason for its existence, the meaning of what is proposed, the ambition or dream pursued by the project or the direction it takes and maintains.

·         Section B: Description of Problem or Needs Justification

o   The justification refers to the rationale for the research, or the reason why the research is being conducted, including your vision for the future and a demonstration of the value and benefits the project brings to the research administration community.

·         Section C: Objectives and Expected Outcomes

o   Project objectives are what you plan to achieve by the end of your project. This might include deliverables and assets, or more intangible objectives like increasing productivity or motivation. Your project objectives should be attainable, time-bound, specific goals you can measure at the end of your project.

·         Section D: Design/Methods/Analysis

o   The design of a research topic explains how the research will be carried out: the techniques to be implemented for collecting and analyzing data; the method(s) applied for analyzing collected details; type of research methodology; probable objections for research; settings for the research study; timeline; and measurement of analysis.

·         Section E: Broader Impacts

o   Broader Impacts are the societal benefits of the project. Aligning broader impacts with NCURA’s strategic goals and directions allows the research to have a greater overall impact.

·         Section F: Dissemination Plan

o   A dissemination plan explains how the outcomes of the project will be shared with those who could use the information in practice.

o   PI(s) are expected to present project results in an NCURA forum, which may include one or more of the following: presenting at NCURA meeting(s)/workshop, submitting a poster session, submitting an article for publication in the NCURA Magazine, participating in a digital video component for NCURA upon request, submitting an article to the NCURA Research Management Review.

 

  • Section G: Budget Justification
    • A narrative section, in the required format, should be included to justify all expenses and clearly outline each individual’s role in the project. Requests for equipment, supplies, and services should be explained in detail. Travel costs for meetings to collaborate or for research purposes are allowed; however, expenditures related to conference travel are not permitted. Indirect costs up to 26% of Total Direct Costs are allowed.

 

  • Section H: Subject Matter Expertise
    • Description of related subject-matter experience of PI, Co-PI(s), key personnel must be provided – limited to 1 page per individual (similar to NIH Personal Statement);
       
  • Section ILetters of support (optional)
Format:

All proposals must be sent electronically as a single PDF file. The complete proposal packet must include the NCURA Cover Page, narrative, budget justification, and applicable appendices. The proposal must be paginated, 11-point font (of choice), and include 1 inch margins on all sides.

 

The following matrix indicates the information that should be included in proposals along with scoring and descriptors that will be used by the board-appointed review panel to evaluate and score the proposal.


Review Criteria:

Purpose/Focus of Project: Purpose or focus of project aligns with NCURA's vision in the RFP.

 

 

0-3 points

Purpose or focus is loosely defined and/or explained. OR, project is not clearly aligned with the NCURA vision in RFP.

 

4-7 points

Purpose or focus is moderately defined or explained and is reasonably aligned with the NCURA vision in the RFP.

8-10 points

Purpose or focus of project is well defined, clearly explained and specifically aligned with the NCURA vision in the RFP.

Total

 

Problem Description/Needs Justification: Project addresses an important problem or high need area within research administration.

 

 

0-3 points

Problem or needs justification is absent or not well explained.

 

4-7 points

Problem or needs justification is stated but does not clearly address the need for the research.

8-10 points

Problem or needs justification is clearly stated and explained. The project clearly addresses the need for the research.

Total

 

Objectives and Expected Outcomes: The project exerts a sustainable, powerful influence on the field of research administration.  Reviewers should keep in mind the duration and funding level of the NCURA Research Program and evaluate sustainability and influence within those parameters.

 

 

0-3 points

Application describes objectives that are not directly relevant to the problem, or the expected outcome(s) does not reasonably reflect a viable solution to the stated problem.

 

4-7 points

Application describes clear and relevant objectives. The Expected outcome offers a solution with limited impact on the field.

8-10 points

Application describes clear and relevant objections with new insights into the problem. The outcomes are viable and offer novel or innovative solutions to the stated problem.

Total

 

Design/Methods/Analysis: Conceptual framework, research design, methods and analysis are well developed and appropriate to the research questions.

 

 

0-3 points

Elements of research design/methods/analysis are missing or poorly explained.

 

4-7 points

Research design and methods appear appropriate to the project but lack some clarity in explanation.

8-10 points

Research design/methods/analysis are appropriate to the project and are very clearly explained.

Total

 

Broader Impacts: Proposal explains the broader impacts of the research for the NCURA membership and the research administration profession.

 

 

0-3 points

Broader impacts are missing or unclear.

 

4-7 points

Broader impacts lack clarity or detail.

8-10 points

Broader impacts are well developed and explained in detail. The proposed outcomes could benefit a broad array of users.

Total

 

Dissemination Plan: Proposal explains a plan to disseminate research results.

 

0-3 points

Dissemination plan is missing or unclear.

                                   

4-7 points

Dissemination plan repeats expectations of the solicitation and/or provides more specific external dissemination.

 

8-10 points

Dissemination plan meets solicitation expectations and include additional internal and/or external dissemination opportunities.

Total

      Total