Program Evaluation for Grants

Workshop Summary

The evaluation plan in a grant proposal is an important part of the application that is required across funding agencies. This workshop will cover critical components of the evaluation plan that will strengthen this section in the application. The evaluation plan also discusses topics that are integrated in other sections in the proposal, and this workshop will help investigators not only with understanding evaluation in grant proposals but will offer valuable guidance as they plan their approach, outcomes, and timelines as well. Attendees will also practice creating important tools for evaluation, such as a logic model and brief data collection plan, which are relevant skills for current or future proposals they are preparing.

Learn about the whole summer series here: hsistemhub.org/spring-2023-virtual-grantsmanship-workshops/

Goals of the Workshop

The goals of this workshop are:

  1. Attendees will learn about crafting strong evaluation plans and critical evaluation information that should be covered in a proposal.
  2. Attendees will Identify how to integrate evaluation components throughout the proposal for a well-aligned narrative.
  3. Participants will practice these evaluation topics, such as logic models, forming research objectives, and timelines.
  4. Attendees will leave this workshop with several tools under their belt that they can immediately apply to proposals they are working on and any future proposals they develop.

Eligibility

Enrollment is free and is limited to 20 participants per workshop. It is hoped that the small workshop size will facilitate networking and promote collaboration across institutions by individuals who share common interests in research and education.

Participation priority is for current HSI faculty and staff who teach undergraduate STEM courses. Non-HSI faculty staff who teach undergraduate STEM courses are eligible to apply if they: 1) currently collaborate as PIs/co-PIs on a funded or pending NSF EHR/DUE grant that includes HSI faculty/staff as PI/co-PIs or 2) would like to network to find HSI partners for future collaborative projects in education or research.

Admission priority is for faculty within the first 10 years of their first academic tenure-track appointment. Applicants should be aware that the selection process strives for diverse geographical and institutional representation.  The selection decision is final and summary reviews are not provided.

Apply

Submit your application at this link: www.surveymonkey.com/r/XNZCS68

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this workshop, attendees will understand how to…

  1. Describe the components of a logic model and create one for their own grant proposal.
  2. Identify the different types of evaluation and the role of each in a strong evaluation plan.
  3. Outline a simple yet feasible data collection plan for their grant outcomes.
  4. Align different sections of the proposal that emphasize key evaluation topics, such as research objectives, activities, and timelines.
  5. Work with their grant evaluator.

Pre-Workshop Homework:

Attendees should bring drafts of grants they are working on submitting, along with the grant RFA, or this information for grants that they are planning to submit later but may not have drafts of at the moment.

Please also highlight the evaluation or assessment section in the RFA and have read that over at least once as we will talk about evaluation verbiage in requests for proposals.

Workshop Details

  • Workshop Description

    Get the scoop and insight about the most critical components of program evaluation that you need to know as you develop your grant applications. Take your knowledge up a notch through applying these components to your projects as we work through the topics and take the time to develop your own logic models, craft clear research objectives, and more!

  • Workshop Dates:
    • 03/09/2023 (9 AM – 12 pm PST)
    • 04/14/2023 (9 AM – 12 pm PST)
  • Who should attend?

    Faculty and staff who are writing or planning to write grant proposals for any agency should attend. No prior experience or background in evaluation or research methods are necessary.

  • Cost

    The workshop is free to all attendees

  • Flyer

Workshop Speakers

Rachel Boren - Summer Series 2021

Dr. Rachel Boren, Director, Southwest Outreach Academic Research (SOAR) Evaluation and Policy Center, New Mexico State University.

Rachel Boren earned her Ph.D. in Educational Research, Statistics, and Evaluation from the University of Virginia. She has a diverse portfolio of experience with program evaluation, most recently as an evaluator in the Provost’s Office at the University of Texas at El Paso and the Director of Evaluation for a 70 million-dollar National Institutes of Health funded center. As SOAR Director at NMSU, she oversees evaluations for grants for faculty and staff across campus.

Workshop Sponsors and External Links

Logo - National Science FoundationLogo - HSI Stem HubLogo - NM State University - Crimson and White