A complex multi-stage assessment process based on a transparent system of criteria and the involvement of review panels and anonymous peer reviewers ensure the selection of the most promising projects. The specific type of selection procedure is determined by the given call; for detailed rules please refer to the rules of procedure of the NRDI Office.
The evaluation of the professional content of proposals verified against the formal requirements are carried out by review panels using a set of criteria known to applicants. The review panels are assisted by anonymous peer reviewers having professional experience in the relevant field of science, selected by the NRDI Office from a database of 15,000 experts based on their expertise. Each proposal is assessed by 2 to 5 reviewers (depending on the type of the call) independent from each other. The designated review panel assesses all proposals in the given assessment stage considering the anonymous reviewers’ reports on the individual proposals, but comparing them to the general quality of proposals, to independently create its own assessment and ranking. The panel reviews and discusses the proposals one by one and then proposes one of the following decisions:
- funding of the proposal with unchanged content and terms;
- funding of the proposal with reduced budget and/or changed professional content;
- rejection of the proposal for professional reasons;
- rejection of the proposal for lack of funds.
In the case of proposals with international relevance, a professional coordinator appointed by the head of the Department of International Affairs of the NRDI Office attends the review panel meetings with right of consultation to present the international background of the specific projects (partnership, funding opportunities in the partner country). If a bi- or multilateral agreement prescribes the creation of an international/joint committee for the assessment of proposals, the ranking given by the domestic review panel is represented at the committee’s meeting by a delegate of the Department of International Affairs. The international committee may alter the ranking created by the domestic panel.
After the review panel’s meeting a combined proposal and motion is prepared for the Disciplinary Councils in the case of research and development proposals, and for the Innovation Board in the case of innovation projects. These bodies make the final proposals to the President of the NRDI Office for adopting the funding decisions and for determining any additional criteria they consider reasonable for the conclusion of the funding agreements. Funding decisions are made by the President of the NRDI Office.
Applicants are notified in a letter about the funding or rejection of their proposals. For funded projects the notification is followed by the conclusion of the funding agreement. The announcement of funding decisions and updated information on the specific assessment stages are published on the NRDI Office’s website.