p. 4
|
Research and Development Narrative
The
narrative portion of the application should contain supporting
information that allows for evaluation of your project(s). If you
are applying for a grant in the Research
and Development
Activity, your Narrative Statement must address the evaluation
elements outlined in the Program Guidance:
Technical Evaluation
Process - Research and Development Activity
For R&D applications, a
panel of reviewers will be assigned who have an area of expertise
based on the subject matter of the proposal. Reviewers will assess
each application’s merits with respect to the detail
provided in application, addressing specifically each criterion
listed in the “Review and Selection Process” section
below.
The panel of reviewers will independently score
each application and if necessary discuss the merits or
shortcomings of the application in order to reconcile any major
discrepancies identified by the reviewers. A consensus is not
required. The highest ranked applications, based on the average
score, will receive further technical review to assess their
strengths and weaknesses, how readily weaknesses may be resolved,
and the likely impact of the proposed R&D project to enable
improvement in firefighter safety, health, or wellness.
Evaluation Criteria:
The characteristics listed
below will be used as the guidelines in making funding decisions.
The extent to which projects reflect these characteristics will be
assessed in the technical evaluation using the weighted evaluation
criteria (items 1-8) to score the application. These scores and
will impact the likelihood that a project will be funded. In
addition, other considerations are indicated (items 9-10) in the
list below:
1) Project purpose(s),
goals and objectives, and specific aims (15%): Applicants
need to address how the results of a successful project will
improve firefighter safety, health and wellness, particularly in
the short term. For multi-year projects, greater detail should be
given for the first year. Also describe the specific goals and
objectives for the second and third years.
2) Literature Review
(10%): With
reference to the project’s goals, objectives, and specific
aims, provide a literature review that includes citations in the
text and references at the end of the narrative. The review should
be in sufficient depth to make it clear that the proposed project
is necessary, adds to an existing body of knowledge, is different
from current studies, and offers a unique contribution.
3) Project Methods
(20%): This is a
description of how the project will be carried out including
demonstration of the overall scientific and technical rigor and
merit of the project. This provides the operations to accomplish
the purpose, goals and objectives, and the specific aims
previously stated. Plans to recruit and retain human subjects,
where applicable, should be described. Where human subjects are
involved in the project, describe plans for submission to the
Institutional Review Board (IRB) (see Appendix 1 for further
guidance and requirements).
4) Project Measurements
(10%): This
includes specification of measurement methods, including
instruments, procedures, and standards used in the project. Data
are collected to evaluate the performance of methods, technologies
and products proposed to enhance firefighter safety, health, and
wellness. Measurement methods and equipment selected for use
should be appropriate and sufficient to the project objectives.
5) Project Analysis
(10%): Indicates
the planned approach for analysis of the data obtained from
measurement, questionnaires or computations. Specify within the
plan, what will be analyzed, the statistical methods that will be
used, the sequence of steps, and interactions, as appropriate. It
should be clear that the R&D team has the expertise available
to perform the planned analysis and defend the results in a peer
review process.
6) Resources - People
and Facilities (15%): Describe
the strengths of the PI, the lead scientists, and other staff of
the research and development team especially with regard to
similar R&D activities, or studies involving the fire service,
and successful completion of prior grant funded research and
development. Also describe the institutional resources (e.g.,
labs, experimental facilities) to be used to support and carry out
the proposed project. Emphasis should be given to unique people
and facilities that contribute substantially to the project.
7) Partners (10%):
Describe the
fire service partners that will support the ongoing project
efforts from design through dissemination and implementation (of
successful results). The specific roles and contributions of the
partners to the project should be described. Partnerships many be
formed with local and regional fire departments and national
fire-related organizations. Because AFG R&D grants aim to
improve the safety, health, and wellness of firefighters, having
strong partnerships with the fire service is essential to the
likely relevance and effectiveness of the project. Letters of
commitment to actively participate in the project are encouraged
and may be submitted in the Appendix.
8) Dissemination and
Implementation (10%): Indicate
dissemination plans for scientific audiences (such as plans for
submissions to specific peer review publications) and for
Firefighter audiences (such as via websites, magazines, and
conferences). Also, assuming positive results and where
applicable, indicate future steps that would support dissemination
and implementation throughout the fire service. These are likely
to be beyond the current study. All applicants should specify how
the results of the project, if successful, might be disseminated
and implemented in the fire service to improve firefighter safety,
health and wellness, especially in the short term. It is expected
that successful R&D (Activity II) projects may give rise to
future programs including Fire Prevention and Safety (Activity I)
projects.
9) Cost vs. Benefit
(additional consideration): Cost
vs. benefit in this evaluation element refers to the costs of the
grant for the research and development project vs benefits that
are projected for firefighters who would have improved safety,
health, and wellness. Projects will be evaluated on the extent to
which they demonstrate a high benefit for the cost incurred.
10) Financial Need
(additional consideration): Applicants
should provide in their narrative details on the need for Federal
financial assistance to carry out the proposed project(s).
Attach your
narrative and appendix for each project submitted. Each page must
also include a header or footer with the University or
Institution name, the Project Title, and page number. The
appendix for each project may include data collection
instruments, data tables, illustrations and specifications for
product designs. Curriculum Vitae (CV's) for Project
Investigators (PI) and lead scientists should also be included in
the appendix but are limited to a maximum of two pages (2) per
CV. A sample of the biographical sketch format for CV's is
available in the Program Guidance Appendix 2. The sum number of
pages for each attachment is limited to 20 pages (12pt font,
Times New Roman or other standard font, 1" margins). All
files should be printed in MS Word, MS Excel or as a PDF. Each
project is limited to one narrative and one appendix attachment.
PLEASE NOTE:
This narrative section is for the details of your Research
and Development
Activity only. The information for Fire Prevention and Safety
Activities should be included in the Fire Prevention request
details section. Any information on Fire Prevention Activities in
this narrative area will not be given consideration during the
application review.
|
Research and Development Narrative
The
narrative portion of the application should contain supporting
information that allows for evaluation of your project(s). If you
are applying for a grant in the Research
and Development
Activity, your Narrative Statement must address the evaluation
elements outlined in the Funding Opportunity Announcement.
Please attach your
narrative and appendix for each project submitted. A header or
footer on each page of the Narrative Statement and the Appendix
should contain: PI (family name), Institution Name (abbreviated),
Project Short Title and page number.
Please see the Funding
Opportunity Announcement for details regarding the R&D
Activity formatting requirements and page number maximums for the
Narrative and Appendix documents.
The Appendix document
for each project may include other items, such as data collection
instruments, additional tables and figures, illustrations and
specifications for product designs, and letters of commitment from
partners. Curriculum Vitae (CV's) for Project Investigators (PI)
and lead scientists should also be included in the appendix but
are limited to a two (2) page maximum per CV. Applicants are
strongly encouraged to follow the biographical sketch same
outlined in the Funding Opportunity Announcement in preparing
CV's.
Font: Times New Roman or
other standard font.
Font Size: Font size must be 11 points
(11 pt) or larger.
Page Dimensions: Page dimensions must be
8.5" x 11" (21.6 cm x 27.9 cm) or smaller.
Margins:
All margins (top, bottom, left, and right) must be at least 1"
(2.54 cm).
Page limit requirements
for both the Narrative and Appendix are specified in the Funding
Opportunity Announcement.
All files should be in
MS Word, MS Excel or as a PDF. Each project is limited to one
narrative and one appendix attachment.
|