Long-term Research Award Application Review Questions

The following list of questions is designed to assist applicants in assessing how well their Long-term Research Award Application meets the objectives of the SANREM CRSP. We recognize that it may not be possible/practical to satisfy all of these questions in a single research application. We are seeking applications that address as many of these questions as are necessary to develop a holistic and balanced research program.

• SANREM CRSP objectives, systems and inquiry areas
  • Does the proposed research compliment SANREM CRSP objectives?
  • Does the proposed research demonstrate an understanding of the SANREM CRSP systems approach and inquiry areas?
  • Does the application effectively address one or more of the higher level SANREM systems (watersheds, ecosystems, governance/policy)?
  • Does the application effectively address SANREM CRSP inquiry areas?
• Scientific merit and methodology of proposed research
  • Do the problem statement and objectives address SA & NRM needs?
  • Does the application demonstrate state-of-the-art knowledge in the proposed research area(s)?
  • Is the proposed research original and innovative?
  • Are the proposed tasks and methodology sufficient to accomplish the project objectives?
  • How significant are the potential impacts of the proposed research to SA and NRM in the proposed host country region(s)?
  • What is the likelihood that the results of the proposed research can be scaled up and out for application in other regions?
  • Is the proposed activity likely to improve the livelihoods of impacted agricultural and NRM stakeholders?
  • Is sufficient time allocated for systematic attainment of objectives?
  • Are proposed project administration, partnerships and collaborative relationships feasible?
  • Is the proposed quality assurance project plan outline reasonable?
• Does the application include appropriate partnerships with letters of commitments from:
  • Host country organizations?
  • IARCs
  • NGOs, CSOs, and private sector partners?
• Participatory methodology
  • Does the application have a plan/mechanism to involve all partners in project management?
  • Is there evidence of involvement of developing country stakeholders and/or communities of nterest in the development and implementation of research and extension activities?
• USAID Mission involvement
  • Does the application address USAID Mission strategic objectives in the proposed research region(s)?
  • Are there letters of support from USAID Missions in the proposed research region(s)?
  • Are partner USAID Missions providing additional support for the proposed research?
  • Does the proposed research target the SA & NRM needs of appropriate stakeholders in priority USAID development areas?
• Consideration of gender issues
  • Does the application demonstrate an awareness of and an integrated approach to address gender issues?
  • Does the proposed research activity meet USAID training goals of fifty percent women in new trainee third-country and U.S. enrollments (graduate students, trainees, project scientists)
• Does the application demonstrate an awareness of and an integrated approach to address environmental and biodiversity conservation issues?
• Knowledge dissemination plan
  • Is there an effective plan to disseminate knowledge generated by the research via publications, workshops, conferences, etc.?
  • Are the proposed knowledge dissemination techniques appropriate for all stakeholders?
  • Is there a commitment to support the SANREM Knowledge Base?
  • Do the project PIs have good publications records?
• Training and capacity building
  • How many host countries and US graduate students will the proposed project support?
  • How many other stakeholders will benefit from proposed training and capacity building activities?
  • How will the project increase the capacity of host country organizations (educational institutions, NGOs, CSOs, government) to promote SA & NRM?
• Qualifications of PIs and partners
  • Do the project PIs and partners have the background and experience required to accomplish the proposed objectives?
  • Are the disciplines and expertise of the PIs and partners appropriate given the proposed problem statement, objectives, and methodology?
  • Do the project PIs and partners have experience in the proposed research region(s)?
• Research budget
  • Is the proposed budget appropriate for the level of activities needed to accomplish the project objectives?
  • Are host country/region expenditures at least 50% of the proposed project budget?
  • Does the proposed activity effectively build on previous or on-going development activities in the study region(s)?
  • Additional sources of support. Is the proposed research supported with additional financial or in-kind resources from USAID Missions, NGOs, IARCs, the private sector, and other sources?