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How will the NEXTGEN applications be reviewed?

This article outlines the NIFA Award Review and Evaluation process.

NIFA evaluates each application in a two-part process. First, we screen each application to ensure that it meets the administrative requirements set forth in this RFA. All administrative requirements must be met in order for the application to proceed to the next level of review. Second, a peer-review process will be used to technically evaluate applications that have met the administrative requirements using a review panel (see NIFA Peer Review Process). 

Peer Review Process 

NIFA selects reviewers for the review panel based upon their training and experience in relevant scientific, extension, or education fields, considering the following factors: 

  1. the level of relevant experience of the individual, as well as the extent to which an individual is engaged in relevant activities.
  2. the need to include experts from various areas of specialization within relevant fields.
  3. the need to include other experts (e.g., educators, youth development specialists, researchers, evaluators) who can assess relevance of the applications to targeted audiences and to program needs. 
  4. the need to include experts from a variety of relevant organizational types and geographic locations.
  5. the need to maintain a balanced composition with regard to minority and female representation and an equitable age distribution. 
  6. the need to include reviewers who can judge the effective usefulness of each application to students and other communities of learners. 
  7. the need to ensure institutional balance as part of the evaluation and awarding process. 

After the peer review panel has completed its deliberations, the responsible program staff of NIFA will recommend the project is either approved for support from currently available funds or declined due to insufficient funds or unfavorable review. 


NIFA reserves the right to negotiate with the PD and/or the submitting organization or institution regarding project revisions (e.g., reductions in the scope of work, funding level, period, or method of support) prior to recommending any project for funding. 


After the review process has been completed, NIFA sends copies of reviews, not including the identity of reviewers, and a summary (if applicable) of the review panel comments to the PD. 

Conflicts of interest 

NIFA takes extreme care to prevent any actual or perceived conflicts of interest that may influence the review or evaluation (see NIFA Peer Review Process for Competitive Grant Applications). 

Evaluation Criteria 

  1. Potential for Preparing and Supporting Students to Enter the Future Food and Agricultural Workforce.
  2. Proposed Approach and Cooperative Linkages (soundness of and alignment between the proposed objectives, activities, collaborations and partnerships, management plan, outcomes and timeline).
  3. Institutional Capacity.
  4. Key Personnel. Outcome Evaluation Plan - Elements include the soundness of the proposed evaluation approach including delineation of appropriate objectives, methodology, plan of operation, timetable, logic model (logic model frequently asked questions), expected products and results, performance metrics/targets, and dissemination plans.
  5. Budget and Cost-Effectiveness. 

Read more on pages 23-24 of the RFA available at grants.gov.


All italicized text in this FAQ  reflects information directly quoted from the RFA. This work is supported through an agreement between the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) and the Extension Foundation serving as the Technical Assistance Advisor for From Learning to Leading: Cultivating the Next Generation of Diverse Food and Agriculture Professionals (NEXTGEN). Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication/website  are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.