Why Don’t Applicants Receive Individual Feedback?
In last year’s survey of grant recipients, many respondents told us they would appreciate feedback on their applications. We understand why. Individual feedback can be especially valuable after an unsuccessful application, when applicants are looking for ways to strengthen their proposals for future grant rounds.
The Jane and Aatos Erkko Foundation has a small team, and we focus our time and resources where we believe the Foundation can have the greatest impact. This means identifying and enabling projects that advance our goals and supporting the projects we fund. Providing individual feedback to every applicant would require a significant amount of the time we currently dedicate to this work.
Every application is reviewed carefully and considered from several perspectives. We look at factors such as the boldness and ambition of the project’s goals, its potential to produce significant new results or create new opportunities, the expertise and development potential of the people involved, and how the project aligns with the Foundation’s strategic objectives. Applications are also considered in relation to other proposals submitted during the same grant round.
Because we are not able to provide individual feedback to every applicant, we follow the same practice for everyone. This helps ensure that all applicants are treated consistently and fairly throughout the application process.