Disqualified Applications

Proposals that meet any of the following disqualifying criteria will NOT be reviewed by the Full Board of BEF. This information is relevant for both Existing Program Evaluation (EPE) and Research Project (RP) applications:

1. Mission

  • Specific aims are outside the mission of the Foundation (posted on website)
  • EPE and RP applications: Section 2, questions 1 and 2

2. Funding policies (posted on website)

  • All applications: Existing Program Evaluations (EPE) and Research Project (RP)
    • Proposed work concerns communities of color, but the leadership of the research team (PI/co-PI level) does not include any researchers of color (EPE application: Section 5, question 3; RP application: Section 4, question 9b)
    • Project is outside the US
    • Applicant organization is a for-profit company
    • PI not a researcher (e.g., is a development officer)
    • Proposal is not run through the PI’s home institution
    • Budget (EPE and RP applications: Section 6 and budget justification)
      • Budget is inconsistent with Indirect Costs policy
        • See website for Indirect Costs policy details
      • One or more salary is above the salary cap (see Budget instructions in application)
      • Budget includes funding for scholarships, capital expenses, scaling up program, or continuing education (Note: GRA tuition is allowed when appropriately justified)
      • Conference support request is inconsistent with travel policy (posted on website)
  • EPE applications only:
    • Program to be evaluated is for-profit
    • Ultimate intended outcomes of the program to be evaluated do not include promoting academic achievement, or cognitive performance or growth

3. Application

  • Missing responses to question in the application (EPE and RP applications: Sections 1-6)
  • Proposed project dates
    • Not within the range for the application cycle (see dates on website)
      • Rare exceptions can be made when a compelling case is articulated; rationale to be provided in cover letter and in application (EPE applications: Section 5, question 4; RP applications: Section 4, question 10)
    • Duration of funding requested is longer than 3 years
  • Budget
    • Missing budget information (e.g., salaries, FTEs; subcontracts) (EPE and RP applications: Section 6)
    • Missing or incomplete budget justification (EPE and RP applications: Section 7, required attachment)
  • Project timeline with benchmarks (EPE and RP applications: Section 7, required attachment)
    • Missing or incomplete
    • Is over 3-page limit
  • CVs/resumes of key personnel (EPE and RP applications: Section 7, required attachment)
    • Missing for one or more key personnel
    • One or more is over the 3-page limit
    • One or more does not include information requested (see instructions in application)
  • Letters of support from partnering organizations (EPE and RP applications: Section 7, required attachment)
    • Missing for one or more partnering organizations (e.g., schools that would participate; data agreements when obtaining administrative data)
    • One or more does not include information requested (see instructions in application)
  • Approval letter from applicant institution/organization (EPE and RP applications: Section 7, required attachment)
    • Missing for primary institution
    • Does not include information requested (see instructions in application)
  • Proof of tax-exempt status (EPE and RP applications: Section 7, required attachment)
    • Missing for primary institution
    • Missing for one or more partnering institutions