Evaluation

Most government grants require an evaluation plan. NSF usually requires a formative and summative evaluation. Formative evaluation begins during the project. Its goal is to assess the ongoing activities and monitor the project so that corrections can be made. Summative evaluation looks at the mature project and whether it reached its goals.

Evaluators usually come from outside your project. PIs need to begin working with an evaluator early since evaluation is complex. Typical evaluation costs are up to 10% of the total grant. Common places to find evaluators are:
• University departments such as education, psychology, sociology, administration, science/math education.
• University teaching/learning centers.
• Your colleagues.
• Professional organizations.
• Independent consultants.

For more help in finding an evaluator, contact Joann Waite.

Here are some references on evaluation:
• NSF’s User Friendly Handbook for Project Evaluation
• Online Evaluation Resource Library (OERL)