R&D units under evaluation receive initial feedback from reviewers

The first phase of the 2013/14 R&D Unit Evaluation Exercise is progressing as planned. The process began with the allocation of external evaluators to each of the 323 applications by the European Science Foundation, an international organization with over three decades of experience in evaluation processes, with which FCT has established a collaboration agreement for this exercise. Each application was evaluated by two external experts and a member of the evaluation panel (acting as second rapporteur). Applicants now have the opportunity to comment, respond, or clarify aspects highlighted by the reviewers.

This is the first time that a Call has a rebuttal phase. Its purpose is to allow greater involvement of candidates in the evaluation process and, above all, to better inform the decision-making process of panel members. The evaluation panels will analyze the opinions of experts and the comments of candidates.

The seven evaluation panels will meet at the end of May to score the applications according to the evaluation criteria and prepare their opinions. The panels will also highlight any aspects they consider should be taken into account in the second phase of the evaluation exercise. The result of the first phase will be a list of R&D units that will proceed to the second phase and a list ranking the units that did not pass. The results are expected in June.

The second phase involves visits to the Units and/or interviews with coordinators and researchers, resulting in the classification of these units as well. Long-term funding is associated with the classifications: basic funding for all Units with a rating of Good or above (in either phase), plus strategic funding for Units with a rating of Exceptional, Excellent, or Very Good. The first results of this evaluation are expected in December 2014.