Proposal Review

Following the submission of your grant, we confirm receipt of your proposal. It will be assigned to the appropriate Program Director to manage the review of your project. We’ll also inform you if we note anything missing from your proposal that needs to be addressed prior to review.

In the interest of fairness, we ask that you do not contact the Endowment once your proposal is submitted. Program Directors at this point will not be at liberty to discuss your project, other than to ask you clarifying questions about your proposal.

Proposal Review Criteria

At least two objective, qualified individuals review each proposal to ensure that the project has the characteristics listed for the grant type and to evaluate how well it meets the criteria listed below:

Presents a compelling case for why the project is important by documenting the scope and seriousness of the need and demonstrating an understanding of its root causes.
Has the potential to create systemic change.
Is supported by internal, regional, and national data; community needs assessments; relevant literature and best practices.
Improves health in a broad sense (physical, mental, and social well-being), not just the absence of disease.
Addresses a vulnerable and/or underserved population.
Contributes to the Endowment goal of distributing funds to a wide geographic area of New Hampshire, when compared to the geographic areas served by other submitted proposals.
Fosters prevention and wellness, not just the treatment of an existing need, when possible.
Presents realistic, attainable, and measurable activities, outputs, and outcomes that address the identified need.
Provides initial outcome evaluation planning, including outcome indicators and data collection methods.
Demonstrates theoretical soundness and technical feasibility.
Provides Workplan activities, and an outcome if applicable, that outline how the project will disseminate the knowledge and understanding gained through the project.
Provides Workplan activities, and an outcome if applicable, that outline how the project will sustain health outcomes and resources.
Proves the applicant’s ability to successfully implement the project.
Reflects the applicant organization’s mission statement.
Demonstrates awareness of existing programs that address the need.
Involves collaboration with other organizations, when possible.
Provides realistic project and grant budgets that are appropriate for the Project Workplan.
Makes effective use of other funders.
Offers opportunities to leverage other funds.

Occasionally, the Endowment for Health will use external reviewers to maintain the highest possible level of objectivity.