(a) The Secretary may use a multiple tier review process to evaluate applications.
(b) The Secretary may refuse to review applications in any tier that do not meet a minimum cut-off score established for the prior tier.
(c) The Secretary may establish the minimum cut-off score--
(1) In the application notice published in the Federal Register; or
(2) After reviewing the applications to determine the overall range in the quality of applications received.
(d) The Secretary may, in any tier--
(1) Use more than one group of experts to gain different perspectives on an application; and
(2) Refuse to consider an application if the application is rejected under paragraph (b) of this section by any one of the groups used in the prior tier. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1221e-3 and 3474) [66 FR 60138, Nov. 30, 2001]