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Application Review Process

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Applications for cooperative agreement awards are reviewed by a team of Institute staff members and are subsequently approved or disapproved by the Director of the National Institute of Corrections. Four categories of criteria are used in reviewing applications: programmatic, organizational, project management, and financial/administrative.

Among the specific criteria used to evaluate the applications are:

  • Indication of a clear understanding of the problem to be addressed, the key issues underlying the problem, and the relevance of the proposed project;

  • Well-defined project objectives, tasks, and resources necessary to meet the objectives;

  • Technical soundness of the design and methodology for achieving the project goals;

  • Description of all elements and tasks of the project;

  • Realistic time frames necessary to complete the tasks;

  • Background, experience, and expertise of the proposed project staff, including any subcontractors;

  • Sufficient and realistic time commitments from key project staff;

  • Reputation or recognized skill of the applicant organization and any proposed subcontractors;

  • Financial and administrative integrity of the proposal, including adherence to federal financial guidelines and processes;

  • Adequate detail and narrative about the cost elements in the proposed budget;

  • Provisions for adequate evaluation of the effectiveness of the project; and

  • Potential for using the results of the project in other undertakings or programs.


Once the formal application has been received, a decision is normally made within 90 days.

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