Evidence-Based Grantmaking Act
Summary
The Evidence-Based Grantmaking Act aims to improve the effectiveness of federal grants by requiring agencies to prioritize evidence-based practices. It mandates that covered agencies, including various departments like Agriculture, Commerce, and Education, incorporate evidence-based approaches in their grantmaking processes. The Act also requires agencies to conduct periodic evaluations and report their findings to Congress.
Expected Effects
This act will likely lead to a shift in how federal grants are awarded, with increased emphasis on applicants demonstrating the use of proven, effective methods. It could also result in better outcomes from grant-funded programs due to the focus on evidence-based practices. The act also mandates increased transparency and accountability in grantmaking through public reporting of evaluation results.
Potential Benefits
- Improved effectiveness of grant-funded programs through the use of evidence-based practices.
- Increased transparency and accountability in grantmaking processes.
- Better alignment of grant funding with community needs.
- Enhanced data-driven decision-making in future grant opportunities.
- Potential for more efficient use of taxpayer dollars.
Potential Disadvantages
- Increased administrative burden on agencies to define and implement evidence-based practices.
- Potential for delays in grant awarding due to the new requirements.
- Risk of excluding innovative but unproven approaches.
- Possible challenges in defining and measuring 'evidence-based' across diverse fields.
- Could lead to a bias toward well-established organizations with resources to demonstrate evidence-based practices.
Constitutional Alignment
The Evidence-Based Grantmaking Act appears to align with the Constitution's general welfare clause (Preamble). It seeks to promote the general welfare by improving the effectiveness and efficiency of federal grant programs. The Act does not appear to infringe upon any specific constitutional rights or limitations.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).