Guias de candidatura · 8 min
Evaluation criteria explained
The criteria that come up most in competitive-fund rubrics: relevance, coherence, feasibility, impact and innovation.
A competitive fund is not a subsidy granted for meeting requirements: it is a competitive mechanism where your project is compared with others. The key is not believing your idea is the best, but proving it with evidence in every section.
How an application is evaluated
Most funds use a matrix of dimensions scored separately. Each section gets a score and the total is compared against a cut-off or against the other applicants. Calls usually publish the criteria and their weighting, but they are not always read carefully.
The most common criteria
- Relevance and alignment: your proposal must respond directly to what the call wants to finance.
- Internal coherence: problem, solution, objectives, activities and budget must be connected.
- Technical and team feasibility: listing résumés is not enough; show that the team has the skills and that the plan is realistic in time and scope.
- Impact and sustainability: what changes, who benefits, and whether the project can continue after the funding ends.
- Innovation or differentiating value: not always high technology; it can be a process improvement, a new business model or an adaptation to a local context.
Mistakes that cost points without you noticing
- Ignoring the form instructions: exceeding length limits, attaching wrong formats or not answering what each field asks can lead to disqualification.
- Confusing or unmeasurable objectives: evaluators look for verifiable goals (how many users, by when, with what result).
- A padded or incoherent budget, or one so low it raises doubts about feasibility.
- No evidence or early validation: talking about huge demand without data, surveys or letters of interest costs credibility; even a small pilot helps a lot.
- Underestimating the competition and context: explain what other solutions exist and why yours is better.
What your application folder must include
- Read the full call at least twice and mark the criteria and formal requirements.
- A one-paragraph executive summary: what problem you solve, for whom and why now.
- Every objective with at least one measurable indicator and a deadline.
- A schedule with monthly activities and owners.
- A budget that details and justifies each line.
- Supporting annexes: short team résumés, commitment letters if they apply, evidence of traction or a prototype.
- Someone outside the project who has read the application and found no obvious gaps.
This guide was prepared with AI assistance from CIDIF content and is pending editorial review. It does not replace the official terms of each call: always check amounts, deadlines and requirements at the fund's source.