Large Propel Grants Review Process and Criteria

Applications are initially screened against program alignment and compliance by RDO staff, then competitively reviewed by at least two faculty reviewers with topical expertise for suitability of the proposed plan, likely impact on future external funding, and alignment with the program purpose and priorities.

Please consider your audience when crafting the proposal – proposals are evaluated by a diverse cohort of expert reviewers who may or may not have expertise in your specific subject area. it is advised that the proposal avoid jargon and unexplained abbreviations, and that the narrative be accessible to a broad audience.

Successful Large Propel Grant applications should result in the submission of at least one proposal to an external funding agency and address the following criteria:

• Significance & Impact: Will the overarching research idea be compelling to the external sponsor(s)?
• Feasibility: Does the application convey a well-reasoned research design with specific outcomes? Can the project be successfully implemented within the proposed timeline and budget?
• Proposed activities: Are the proposed activities suitable and enhance the competitiveness of an external application?
• Potential for external funding: Is the plan to pursue external funding reasonable, with a high chance of submitting a well-aligned proposal?
• Appropriate Budget: Does the budget reflect the actual needs of the project to accomplish the specific aim(s)?
• Team Composition: Does the application demonstrate a strong and/or established collaboration and a cohesive team with sufficient expertise to carry out the research?

RDO will award a portfolio of projects that represent the diversity and breadth of scholarly areas. Preference will be given to disciplines or fields that have limited internal grant program support.