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From NIH Criteria:

Does the scientific environment in which the work will be done contribute to the probability of success? Does the proposed study benefit from unique features of the scientific environment, or subject populations, or employ useful collaborative arrangements?  Is there evidence of institutional support?

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These questions seem appropriate for any research study.  For qualitative projects, reviewers might also look for evidence of:

• collaborative relationships with other qualitative researchers in the academic setting or at other institutions

• a scientific environment that displays an understanding and awareness of the import of qualitative research and the labor intensive nature of conducting high quality qualitative research

• IT support team familiar with qualitative software

• Departments that contain personnel trained and experienced in collecting qualitative data or a reasonable pool of potential employees to fill qualitative data collection positions

• Past successful experiences completing qualitative studies within the institutional environment

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