APPENDIX D
 
 
DEFINITION OF TERMS FOR OVERALL EVALUATIONS
OF PROPOSALS


        The following definition of terms for "Overall Evaluation" are 
used for the final appraisals of proposals submitted in response to this
NRA.
 

EXCELLENT       
The investigation is of the highest scientific and technical 
merit, is fundamentally important for the advancement of the goals 
of NASA Space Physics Program, and is well defined in a compelling 
manner in the proposal.  The investigator and his/her institution 
are highly competent and fully capable of conducting the proposed 
effort. There is strong confidence that the investigation can be 
carried out in the proposed manner and for the proposed cost.  The 
proposed cost is tenable within available program budgets.  The 
proposal strongly deserves support with the highest priority.


VERY GOOD       
The investigation is of high scientific and technical merit, is 
important for the NASA Space Physics Program, and is adequately
defined in the proposal.  The investigator is competent as is his
/her institutional support.  There is strong confidence that the 
investigation can be carried out in the manner and for the cost that 
are proposed.  The proposal deserves support but at a lower priority 
than a proposal rated as Excellent.


GOOD    
The scientific and technical merit of the investigation is adequate
but the investigation is not at the frontier of its field.  The
investigation is relevant to NASA's Space Physics program in broad 
terms but not for specific or immediate needs.  The proposal is well 
written but not particularly compelling.  Resources permitting, the 
proposal deserves support but at lower priority than a Very Good
proposal.


FAIR to POOR    
The investigation is seriously deficient in one or more of the 
following factors: its scientific and technical merit, its 
programmatic relevance to NASA's Space Physics missions, its 
proposed cost, and/or its clarity of purpose.  It does not deserve
support.




D-1