What is Formal evaluation?

Formal evaluation represents the initial phase of the grant application assessment process. This administrative review verifies whether a submitted application meets all formal prerequisites specified in the grant call. It ensures that the applicant's documentation is complete, accurately completed, and fully compliant with the formal criteria established by the funding provider.

Passing formal evaluation is a fundamental prerequisite for further project assessment, as only applications that successfully pass this administrative check advance to the substantive (technical) evaluation stage. 

What does formal evaluation cover? 

The formal review primarily assesses the following aspects:

• Completeness of the application – verifying that all mandatory sections and required data fields are properly filled out,
• Submission of required attachments – such as business plans, project budgets, solemn declarations, or other documents specified in the call,
• Adherence to deadlines – confirming that the application was submitted within the designated timeframe,
• Compliance with formal call requirements – including the use of prescribed forms, structural formatting, or signature requirements,
• Eligibility of the applicant and project – meeting basic formal conditions, such as the applicant's legal status or the project location. 

What happens if an application fails formal evaluation? 

Applications that fail to meet formal evaluation criteria are rejected and do not proceed to the next evaluation stage. Depending on the rules of the specific call, applicants may occasionally be given an opportunity to rectify minor deficiencies, such as supplying a missing attachment or correcting formal errors. 

Significance of formal evaluation 

Formal evaluation plays a crucial role in maintaining transparency and ensuring fair access to public funding for all applicants. It serves as an effective mechanism to minimize errors and streamline the overall application review process by filtering out non-compliant proposals early on.