34 CFR §642.21
Verified against eCFR.gov as of June 20, 2026View official text on eCFR.gov ↗
The Secretary uses the criteria in paragraphs (a) through (f) of this section to evaluate applications:
- (a)Plan of operation. (20 points) (1) The Secretary reviews each application for information that shows the quality of the plan of operation for the project.
- (2)The Secretary looks for information that shows—
- (i)High quality in the design of the project;
- (ii)An effective plan of management that insures proper and efficient administration of the project;
- (iii)A clear description of how the objectives of the project relate to the purpose of the program;
- (iv)The way the applicant plans to use its resources and personnel to achieve each objective; and
- (v)A clear description of how the applicant will provide equal access and treatment for eligible project participants who are members of groups that have been traditionally underrepresented, such as—
- (2)The Secretary looks for information that shows—
- (b)Quality of key personnel. (20 points) (1) The Secretary reviews each application for information that shows the qualifications of the key personnel the applicant plans to use on the project.
- (2)The Secretary looks for information that shows—
- (i)The qualifications of the project director;
- (ii)The qualifications of each of the other key personnel to be used in the project;
- (iii)The time that each person referred to in paragraphs (b)(2)(i) and (ii) of this section plans to commit to the project; and
- (iv)The extent to which the applicant, as part of its nondiscriminatory employment practices, encourages applications for employment from persons who are members of groups that have been traditionally underrepresented, such as—
- (3)To determine the qualifications of a person, the Secretary considers evidence of past experience and training, in fields related to the objectives of the project, as well as other information that the applicant provides.
- (2)The Secretary looks for information that shows—
- (c)Budget and cost effectiveness. (10 points) (1) The Secretary reviews each application for information that shows that the project has an adequate budget and is cost effective.
- (d)Evaluation plan. (10 points) (1) The Secretary reviews each application for information that shows the quality of the evaluation plan for the project.
- (2)The Secretary looks for information that shows methods of evaluation that are appropriate for the project and, to the extent possible, are objective and produce data that are quantifiable.
- (e)Adequacy of resources. (15 points)