There are a number of mandatory criteria that all project proposals must meet and which are used in the assessment process. Additionally, other relevant criteria that will be used when considering a proposal, are listed below.

Mandatory criteria

• Clear objectives, oriented towards specific issues or problems within the scope of the ICT R&D Grants Programme. The starting point of any proposal will be the definition of the problem that is to be resolved through Internet policy and/or technology applications.
• Demonstrated need for R&D results of the type proposed, and in the form proposed. Relevance to regional development priorities, such as economic policy, health, gender equity, environment, education, social development and capacity building concerns will be considered.
• The targeted beneficiary groups should be clearly identified.
• Demonstrated capacity by the applying organisation to conduct and document the project effectively within the specified budget and time limits.
• Solid participation by organisations from the developing Asia-Pacific region.

Other criteria

• Originality of the proposed R&D project, and assurance that it is not already being undertaken elsewhere.
• Applicability of the R&D results to developing countries in the Asia-Pacific region.
• Leverage of existing techniques and technologies to produce innovative practical solutions rather than original "ground-up" development or basic research work.
• Replicability of the application of R&D results, showing potential for use in other countries in the region.
• Demonstrated opportunity to build R&D capacities within other organisations in developing Asia-Pacific countries.
• Availability of co-funding by other agencies or organisations.

What will not be funded

• Proposals that do not address ICT-related problems and solutions.
• Projects that are exclusively comprised of:

-  Non-research activities like conferences, seminars, workshops, and educational and training courses.

-  Technical assistance-type projects that do not contain strong research elements.

-  Electronic or print publishing e.g. books, journals, magazines, newsletters and reports.

-  Development of websites and webpages.

• Supplemental grant and/or time extension requests.
• Project proposals from organisations that are not government bodies or legally registered entities.