3411.15—Evaluation factors.
Subject to the varying conditions and needs of States, Federally funded agricultural research supported under this program shall be designed to, among other things, accomplish one or more of the following purposes: Continue to satisfy human food and fiber needs; enhance the long-term viability and competitiveness of the food production and agricultural system of the United States within the global economy; expand economic opportunities in rural America and enhance the quality of life for farmers, rural citizens, and society as a whole; improve the productivity of the American Agricultural system and develop new agricultural crops and new uses for agricultural commodities; develop information and systems to enhance the environment and the natural resource base upon which a sustainable agricultural economy depends; or enhance human health. Therefore, in carrying out its review under § 3411.14, the peer review group shall take into account the following factors unless, pursuant to § 3411.5(a), different evaluation criteria are specified in the program solicitation:
(1)
Training and demonstrated awareness of previous and alternative approaches to the problem identified in the proposal, and performance record and/or potential for future accomplishments;
(c)
Relevance of project to long-range improvements in and sustainability of United States agriculture or to one or more of the research purposes outlined in the first paragraph of this section.
(1)
Scientific contribution of research in leading to important discoveries or significant breakthroughs in announced program areas; and