7 Pa. Code § 106.64 – Review of applications.

(a) Ranking criteria. Factors to be considered by the Department in selecting AEEP grant recipients include the following:
1. (1) Participation in previous AEEP and other Department activities.
2. (2) Appropriateness of the applicant’s participation in the specific AEEP grant solicitation.
3. (3) Ability of the applicant to provide qualified personnel during the entire AEEP grant project.
4. (4) Amount of funds available for the particular grant solicitation.
5. (5) The willingness and ability of the applicant to make in kind or financial, or both, contributions to match grant funds.
6. (6) The relevance of the project to aquaculture development plan priorities set forth by the Advisory Committee.
7. (7) The innovativeness of the project.
8. (8) The effect the project will have on aquaculture development or aquaculture marketing activities.
9. (9) The scope and duration of the project and how it relates to other projects and State aquaculture program components.
10. (10) The type and number of groups who will be affected by the project. A project which involves a wide range of partners and project beneficiaries will be given priority.
11. (11) The impact of and the benefits bestowed upon the agricultural community by the project.
12. (12) The continual and progressive nature of the project and the benefits and knowledge to be gained by the applicant and the public at large.
13. (13) The commitment to long-term aquaculture education and research by the applicant. Applicants that have demonstrated a commitment to aquaculture will be given priority.
14. (14) Whether the applicant has been the recipient of an AEEP grant within the same year.
15. (15) The availability of funding to the applicant from sources other than the AEEP program.
16. (16) The willingness of the applicant to share information derived from the project with others.
(b) Release and hold harmless. Eligible participants will release and hold harmless the Commonwealth and the Department and their agents and officers from liabilities for losses as a result of participation in the specific AEEP grant. This includes losses associated with salary or other project cost increases during the AEEP grant period. Applications shall contain a release and hold harmless statement which the applicants agree to when they sign the application. Unsigned applications will be considered incomplete.