Each programming unit will make the final decision as to which candidate will be selected for an award.

The following criteria will be used to evaluate applications:

• relevance of the research and training proposal to the IDRC’s programming unit’s specifications (on the Competitions’ page see the section titled Details on research award positions offered by IDRC’s programming units)
• relevance to sustainable and equitable development
• fit with IDRC priorities
• overall appropriateness, completeness, and clarity of the research and training proposal
• overall feasibility, duration, and timing of the research
• originality and creativity of the research
• gender implications of the research
• ethical considerations of the research
• the applicant’s capacity to conduct the proposed research and training, including academic training, local language capacity, and related experience
• whether the applicant has received another IDRC award. (Candidates cannot receive more than one IDRC award in a given year.)