The guidelines should be scrutinized carefully for specific criteria which may apply to a particular announcement. The more directly the proposal addresses these criteria the better. If the agency’s announcement incorporates an outline or list of criteria, it is often helpful to follow this guideline in describing a proposed project to make the linkage apparent to reviewers without inference. Investigators are encouraged to view agency web sites for examples of successful proposals and to seek guidance from program officers on any specific questions.

The criteria used by one government agency to evaluate training proposals may serve as a useful guide in general. Examples of selection criteria are

• the degree to which the proposed program delineates an important need in the field;
• evidence of a well-coordinated program which has promise of meeting identified needs;
• the degree to which participants will be exposed to new approaches, techniques and new instructional materials;
• the extent to which the participants will actually be involved in innovative and creative experiences;
• the program's focus on a discipline or a group of related disciplines;
• the consistency and clarity of statement or procedure for selecting participants consistent with the purposes of the program;
• the level of professional competence and leadership of the program director and of the professional staff who will assist with the program;
• the time available to the professional staff to prepare for and to conduct the program;
• the extent to which the institution will make available adequate classrooms, laboratories, library, instructional materials and equipment;
• prediction that the program will result in the improvement of instruction; and
• completeness of proposal and budget.