Oftentimes, external evaluators are included in the budget for projects. Project Continuation Multi-year grants are usually awarded contingent upon the successful progress of the project. Sponsors often require interim technical reports upon which the decision to continue the grant is based. The National Institutes of Health requires the submission of non-competing continuation proposals. Specific guidelines, similar to those of the initial proposal submission, must be followed.
Some agencies require site visits in order to assess the progress of the project.
Principal investigators should review the continuation criteria as soon as the initial award is made, so as to properly prepare for this important part of the grant cycle.