3.2: Evidence-Based Grants

Implement evidence-based grant programs

Other Information:

Evidence-based grants: Several agencies -- ranging from the Department of Education to the U.S. Agency for International Development -- have implemented evidence-based grant programs that apply a tiered framework to assess the evidence supporting a proposed project and to determine appropriate funding levels. Under this approach, programs supported by stronger evidence, as established in a rigorous agency process, are eligible for more funding. All programs are expected to evaluate their results. Examples of tiered-evidence programs include the Department of Education's Investing in Innovation program and the Department of Health and Human Services' Teen Pregnancy Prevention and Home Visiting programs. Even without creating tiers, agencies can provide points or significant competitive preference to programs that the agency determines are backed by strong evidence, and can build the evidence base by embedding evaluation into programs. Because running evidence-based programs requires more resources, agencies may wish to combine multiple smaller programs into larger, evidence-based efforts.

Stakeholder(s):

• Department of Education


• U.S. Agency for International Development


• Department of Health and Human Services

Indicator(s):

Indicator:1

Content