This report explores practices used for the selection of research proposals in competitive research funding programmes and in the selection of researchers for promotion within research organisations. The findings of this study are based on the information provided by 31 research funding organisations (RFO), 4 research performing organisations (RPO) and 1 organisation with a dual function (research funding and performing organisation) through a questionnaire and semi-structured interviews. The following questions have guided the study:

1. What approaches are used to assess and select proposals and researchers in a robust, fair and transparent manner?
2. What are the challenges that research organisations face during the assessment processes?
3. What are the current developments in the assessment of research proposals and researchers?

The study was commissioned by Science Europe. Based on this Science Europe elaborated a set of policy recommendations that can be used as a framework to guide the evaluation of assessment processes.

Peter Kolarz
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Managing Partner

María del Carmen Calatrava Moreno
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Erik Arnold
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