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Delaware Division of the Arts

Grounds for Appeal

Applicants may appeal funding decisions only on the basis of procedural error or impropriety. Dissatisfaction with the amount of an award, or a decision not to fund a project, is not sufficient reason for appeal. To be considered, appeals must provide evidence that:

  • The application was reviewed on the basis of criteria other than those appearing in the published guidelines for that grant category, or
  • Panelists or Council members were influenced willfully or unwillfully by members who failed to disclose conflicts of interest, or
  • Erroneous information was provided by staff, panelists, or Council members at the time of the application’s review.

Steps in the Appeal Process

  1. Prior to submitting an appeal
    • Applicants should first consult with the staff member assigned to the application to review the panel comments and considerations.
  2. If the applicant wishes to pursue an appeal
    • The appeal must be sent in writing to the Division Director within 30 days of the date notifying the applicant of the funding decision.
    • The letter should contain evidence to support one or more of the grounds for appeal.
  3. Appeal Notification
    • The letter should contain evidence to support one or more of the grounds for appeal.
  4. Appeal Review
    • The Director and Chair will review the appeal and, at their discretion, will make a ruling or submit the appeal to the full Council for review and recommendation.
  5. Ruling Notification in Writing
    • The Director will notify the applicant in writing of the ruling on the appeal.
    • If the applicant is not satisfied with the ruling, a public hearing with the Council may be arranged.
  6. Public Hearing with Council
    • The Division will arrange for a public hearing to be held, according to State of Delaware guidelines.
  7. Final Ruling
    • At the conclusion of the public hearing, the Council will reconsider the appeal and make a final ruling. A simple majority vote is needed in the case of an appeal.