Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion Program Grant Writing Workshop AMS FMLPP Application Review and Scoring Overview Learning Objectives: Participants will gain an overview of key features for a successful proposal. United States Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture Agricultural Marketing Service These workshops are funded by the USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service and facilitated by USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture. The project is coordinated by the USDA-NIFA Regional Rural Development Centers.

Session Overview Project Scoring Alignment and Intent (15 points) Technical Merit (25 points) Achievability (25 points) Expertise and Partners (20 points) Fiscal Plan and Resources (15 points) These are the categories your proposal review team will be directed to score: Alignment and Intent Technical Merit Achievability Expertise and Partners Fiscal Plan and Resources

Alignment and Intent (15 points) Is there a clear need for the project? Do project goals and objectives meet the program purpose? Who benefits from the project and how?

Technical Merit (25 points) Is the methodology to accomplish the project well written? Does the work plan and timeline outline how the applicant will meet the intended goals and objectives? Is there a comprehensive plan to disseminate the results of the project? Are outcomes and indicators appropriate for the project?

Achievability (25 points) Is the plan to evaluate the project’s expected outcomes and indicators clearly described? How will the project goals, objectives, activities and outcomes be adaptable to other communities? Are potential challenges described and actions to address them realistic and attainable? If a project was funded previously, how does the current project build off of previous successes and/or lessons learned?

Expertise and Partners (20 points) Are partnerships and collaborations substantial and effective to accomplish the projects goals, objectives, and outcomes? Do project participants have the experience and strengths to fulfill project goals, objectives, and outcomes? How will project partnerships and collaborations extend beyond the life of the grant?

Fiscal Plan and Resources (15 points) Are costs in the budget clearly described, allowable, reasonable and necessary? If applicable, are critical resources and infrastructure necessary for the project’s success available at the time of proposal submission? For LFPP, are cash or in-kind resources available for the project? Land, structures, and other critical resources must be in place and committed prior to submitting an application.

How Will Proposals be Evaluated? Scoring criteria Capacity to meet objectives Evaluators’ perspective “So what?” Not only should the proposal writers be aware of the specific criteria that is the charge of reviewers – it may benefit the project proposal team to consider some additional points; Are we able to deliver on a potentially funded project?, How does the lens of “my” reviewers background and experiences affect the strength of our project proposal? What is the specific, measurable thing our proposed project delivers?

How Will Proposals be Evaluated? What makes some applications better than others? Innovative concept Replicability Impacts after the grant ends Remember: Projects must directly benefit more than one producer or individual and should demonstrate a direct benefit to farm and ranch operations serving local markets. INNOVATIVE - The probability of a project being accepted and receiving funds increases when it can address a need using an innovative concept. REPLICABLE - The probability of a project being accepted and receiving funds increases when it can address a need with a method that can be replicated elsewhere. IMPACTS - The probability of a project being accepted and receiving funds increases when it can address a need with impacts continuing after the initial AMS funds are expended.

Thank you! Questions?