Supporting program evaluation through the federal grantmaking process helps build evidence to inform the field about what works, for whom and under what circumstances. Evaluation results show how specific interventions affect outcomes and provide important insights into program design. RFA recommends that agencies allocate at least 1% of their program budgets to support evaluation.
OMB Encourages Evaluation
The 2024 Uniform Grants Guidance Revisions from the White House Office of Management and Budget encourages state, local and tribal governments to invest in evaluations. The guidance states clearly that federal grantees may use federal funds to support data and evaluation, including integrated data systems (§ 200.455(c)). It specifies that integrated data systems and program evaluation costs may be considered direct or indirect costs, if they are related to the federal award (§ 200.413(b)). See RFA’s reference guide for implementing the 2024 Revisions to the Uniform Guidance here.
RFA’s Federal Standard of Excellence
RFA’s Federal Standard of Excellence recognizes federal agencies for their definition and prioritization of evidence and evaluation in the grantmaking process. In 2022, the nine agencies that participated had agency-wide evaluation plans and required federal grantees to participate in evaluations. This advances responsible stewardship of federal dollars and helps to grow the evidence base over time.