---
kind: "section"
citation: "34 C.F.R. § 656.20"
title: "34"
number: "656.20"
heading: "How does the Secretary select applications for funding?"
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/34/656.20"
---

# §656.20. How does the Secretary select applications for funding?

- (a) The Secretary evaluates an application for a comprehensive Center under the criteria contained in [§ 656.21](/cfr/34/656.21.md), and for an undergraduate Center under the criteria contained in [§ 656.22](/cfr/34/656.22.md). The Secretary evaluates applications for additional special purpose grants to Centers under the criteria contained in [§ 656.23](/cfr/34/656.23.md).
- (b) The Secretary informs applicants of the maximum possible score for each criterion in the application package or in a notice published in the Federal Register.
- (c) **The Secretary makes grant awards using a peer review process.** Applications that share the same or similar area of focus, as declared by each applicant under [§ 656.3(a)](/cfr/34/656.3.md?p=a), are grouped together for purposes of review. Each application is reviewed for excellence based on the applicable criteria referenced in [paragraph (a)](#a) of this section. Applications are then ranked within each group that shares the same or similar area of focus.
- (d) The Secretary may determine a minimum total score required to demonstrate a sufficient degree of excellence to qualify for a grant under this part.
- (e) If insufficient money is available to fund all applications demonstrating a sufficient degree of excellence as determined under paragraphs [(a)](#a), [(c)](#c), and [(d)](#d) of this section, the Secretary considers the degree to which priorities derived from the consultation on areas of national need or established under the provisions of [§ 656.24](/cfr/34/656.24.md) and relating to specific countries, world areas, or languages are served when selecting applications for funding and determining the amount of a grant.

## Notes

### Authority

Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1121, 1122, 1127, and 1132 unless otherwise noted.

### Source

Source: 89 FR 68758, Aug. 27, 2024, unless otherwise noted.