The following are criteria developed by the multiagency IT research program that agencies considering participation can use to assess whether their research activities fit the NITRD profile.

Assure continued U.S. leadership in computing, information, and communications technologies to meet Federal goals and to support U.S. 21st century academic, industrial, and government interests

Accelerate deployment of advanced and experimental information technologies to maintain world leadership in science, engineering, and mathematics; improve the quality of life; promote long-term economic growth; increase lifelong learning; protect the environment; harness information technology; and enhance national security

Advance U.S. productivity and industrial competitiveness through long-term scientific and engineering research in computing, information, and communications technologies

Relevance/Contribution

The research must significantly contribute to the overall goals of Federal Networking and Information Technology Research and Development (NITRD), which includes the goals of the seven Program Component Areas - High End Computing Infrastructure and Applications (HEC I&A), High End Computing Research and Development (HEC R&D), Human Computer Interaction and Information Management (HCI & IM), Large Scale Networking (LSN), Software Design and Productivity (SDP), High Confidence Software and Systems (HCSS), and Social, Economic, and Workforce Implications of Information Technology and Information Technology Workforce Development (SEW) - to enable solution of Grand Challenge- and National Challenge-class applications problems.

Technical/Scientific Merit

The proposed agency program must be technically/scientifically sound and of high quality and must be the product of a documented technical/scientific planning and review process

Readiness

A clear agency planning process must be evident, and the organization must have demonstrated capability to carry out the program.

Timeliness

The proposed work must be technically/scientifically timely for one or more of the multigagency research endeavor's Program Component Areas.

Linkages

The responsible organization must have established policies, programs, and activities promoting effective technical and scientific connections among government, industry, and academic sectors.

Costs

The identified resources must be adequate, represent an appropriate share of the total available R&D resources (e.g., a balance among Program Component Areas), promote prospects for coordinated or joint funding, and address long-term resource implications.

Agency Approval

The proposed program or activity must have policy-level approval by the submitting agency.