Q. What are the criteria used to evaluate grant applications and how are applications scored?

Regulations governing the construction program, 605 CMR:6.07 explain the evaluation criteria and approval procedures.  http://mblc.state.ma.us/grants/construction/regulations/605CMR6.00final2015.pdf

An application must receive a minimum of 150 out of 200 points to be offered a provisional grant award in FY18 or be placed on the waiting list. We always say that “need trumps design.” In this grant round 46% of the points are assigned to need while 33% are assigned to design. This means it is important that the application be compelling in expressing the library's need.

The Review worksheet and the Tally sheet that will be used by independent reviewers to score and rank grant applications are available on the Review & Approval Process tab of the Resource Guide.