FY2011 Appl Pack for Research Fellowships Program

SECTION

C

Selection Criteria
Research Fellowship Program

The Secretary evaluates applications for Fellowships according to the following criteria in 34 CFR 356.30.

(a) Quality and level of formal education (worth 15 points), previous work experience (worth 20 points), and recommendations of present or former supervisors or colleagues that include an indication of the applicant's ability to work creatively in scientific research (worth 15 points); and:

(b) The quality of a research proposal of no more than 24 double spaced pages containing the following information: (1) The importance of the problem to be investigated to the purpose of the Rehabilitation Act and the mission of the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) (worth 10 points). (2) The research hypotheses or related objectives and the methodology and design to be followed (worth 30 points). (3) Assurance of the availability of any necessary data resources, equipment, or institutional support, including technical consultation and support where appropriate, required to carry out the proposed activity (worth 10 points).

The application should include all required forms, an abstract, a project narrative, an eligibility statement, a curriculum vitae, letters of recommendation, and information on the protection of human subjects (See Section F: “What should be included in the application” for details.)

Any letters of recommendation received separately from the application will not be forwarded to the reviewers. If the applicant proposes to use unique tests or other measurement instruments that are not widely known in the field, it would be helpful to include the instrument in the application.

Many applications contain voluminous appendices that are not helpful and in many cases cannot even be mailed to the reviewers. It is generally not helpful to include such things as brochures, general capability statements of collaborating organizations, maps, copies of publications, or descriptions of other projects completed by the applicant.