How to Write Clear Grant Criteria

Clear criteria state what you fund, why and how you assess, reducing confusion and appeals.

• Use plain English and provide examples.
• Separate eligibility from assessment criteria.
• Map questions to scoring.

Drafting strong criteria

Be specific about intent and evidence.

• Define outcomes you seek and who should apply.
• Explain scoring scales and what good looks like.
• Publish in advance with a short FAQ.

Key takeaway: clarity improves application quality.

Keeping criteria fair

Avoid accidental bias and over‑reliance on polish.

• Focus on substance, not writing style.
• Provide word counts and structured prompts.
• Allow alternative formats where appropriate.

Key takeaway: fairness increases diversity of applicants.

Review and iterate

Use learning to refine future rounds.

• Gather reviewer and applicant feedback.
• Analyse common reasons for rejection.
• Adjust wording and examples accordingly.

Key takeaway: Plinth helps track themes and update templates.

FAQs

Should we publish scoring rubrics?

Yes—transparency improves trust and application quality.

How many criteria are ideal?

Four to six well‑defined criteria suit most rounds.

Can criteria change mid‑round?

Avoid if possible; if needed, communicate clearly and fairly.