We get approximately 2,000 preliminary proposals a year. Each one is read by at least two outside readers, and as many staff. As a result of these readings and discussions, about 250 applicants are invited to submit a final 1520 page proposal by late February. Each final proposal gets at least two outside readings, as well as further readings and discussion on the part of staff. More consultations with the top contenders follow, and finally, about 80 grants are announced in late June.
Most projects begin the following fall.
The process is laborious, and the funding ratio quite low. That is why it is important to make sure that your project is something you really want to do. If the proposal, besides having potential as a national model, is intrinsically worthwhile for your institution, it will exhibit the clarity and coherence that we associate with fundability. You will have garnered the support of your administration, and built up consensus among the faculty.