Large Propel Grants Review Process and Criteria

RDO staff will first screen applications for compliance and programmatic fit. Following that, at least two faculty reviewers will assess the proposed plan and its potential impact on future external funding in a competitive review process.

Reviewers should be confident that your team has a high level of readiness already and will be better positioned to apply for external funding opportunities upon completion of the proposed Propel Grant activities.

The application will be reviewed for the following criteria:

• Significance
  • The research idea will be compelling to external sponsors.
  • The proposed project goes "beyond the usual" for the discipline in terms of scope, budget, or team size.
• Readiness
  • The team demonstrates a collaborative partnership.
  • The proposed project for external funding has an established foundation with existing preliminary data.
• Proposed Activities
  • The proposed Propel Grant activities are likely to enhance the competitiveness of a proposal to an external funding agency and increase the likelihood of success in securing external funding. Learn more about what makes a successful grant application on the RDO website.
• Appropriate Budget
  • The budget is reasonable and reflects essential activities that address the stated needs.
  • The amount requested justifies the investment from the Propel Grant.
• Feasibility
  • The application conveys an achievable research design/approach for the Propel Grant activities.
  • The Propel Grant activities can be implemented within the proposed timeline and budget.
  • The team is cohesive and possesses sufficient expertise to conduct the research successfully.
• Potential for External Funding
  • The team will be ready to submit a well-aligned proposal to an external funding agency by the end of the Propel Grant period and, if appropriate, a backup plan is described.