Evaluation Criteria

The FRDC application evaluation criteria are as follows:

Attractiveness:

• Is the application supported by the appropriate FRAB(s), industry sector(s), fisheries management agency(s), and other end users and beneficiaries?
• Is the need well-defined and does it address one of the industry strategic challenges defined under the FRDC's research and development programs and an research and development priority identified in a strategic plan of a FRAB and/or other entities?
• Are the planned outcomes well quantified and qualified, and will they meet the defined need?
• Will the planned outcomes, if achieved, provide a high benefit-to-cost ratio or a sound return on investment or value for money?
• Is the applicant, beneficiary or other entity making an appropriate financial contribution to the project? Does the industry beneficiary contribute financially to the FRDC?
• Is there an appropriate level of collaboration between researchers, and between researchers, fisheries managers and fishing industry interests?
• Is the project original? Does it add value to previous research and development?

Feasibility:

• Is the end-user of the planned outputs clearly identified?
• Are the planned outputs well described, and will they meet the needs of the end-user?
• Is the strategy for extending the outputs sufficient to achieve the planned outcomes?
• Are the objectives clearly specified, and are they consistent with planned outputs?
• Are the methods well described, and are they consistent with the objectives?
• Does the applicant have the capacity and commitment to produce the planned outputs?
• Are the principal investigator and other researchers to be engaged on the project competent? Have they performed well in the past?

Other considerations:

• In evaluating applications, the Board may also consider questions such as:
• Is there a strategy for managing data arising from the project so that it will be easily accessible by others in future?
• Will project outputs contribute to future research and development?
• Will the research have an impact on endangered, rare or sensitive ecosystems?
• Will the research have animal welfare impacts?
• Will the research require some sort of external approval because of its impact on ecosystems or animal welfare?