The Foundation accepts proposals from July 1 through December 1 each year. Those with concepts or ideas are invited to submit a two-page outline, in letter form, at any time. Those invited to submit full proposals can expect both internal and outside review of those proposals, and final decisions are made by July 1 of each grant year. Projects which fall outside of the Foundation's interest will be promptly notified. If the project is funded for more than one year, the grantee will be expected to submit annual reports concerning results and compliances with the undertakings in the proposal.
Annual reports are due annually thereafter.
A final report is due within a month after the project is due to be completed, according to its timelines. The Foundation will make payments according to a schedule and in amounts to be negotiated by the grantee with staff of the Foundation, and the Foundation reserves the right to withhold some portion of the entire payment until the receipt of the final report and completion of the visit with the Foundation's principals and staff. The Foundation also reserves the right to call for a fiscal and programmatic audit of the proposal and work undertaken pursuant to the proposal, such audits to be conducted by persons selected by the Foundation. The Foundation has established various permanent and ad hoc advisory bodies consisting of researchers, policy specialists, parents or relatives of persons with mental retardation, scientists, and others. It will seek a review of each proposal by members of these bodies or by qualified professionals, policy specialists, parents or relatives, and others, as appropriate, so that a peer review of the proposal, before, during, and after funding, is assured.