Every year, the Czech Science Foundation (GACR) receives over three thousand project proposals from all areas of basic research. Over 400 renowned experts help to select the best ones. As the terms in office of about half of them are coming to an end in March 2023, the GACR is launching a call for nominations for evaluation panels. The system has been simplified by making the application electronic and allowing for self-nominations. The deadline to apply is 15 December 2022.
“Without the honest work of the panel members, the Czech Science Foundation would be unable to operate. They are the experts who thoroughly review all of the project proposals submitted, and compare them against one another. Then they recommend the ones that should be funded,” says the President of the Czech Science Foundation, Assoc. Prof. Petr Baldrian. “In order to be able to select as many outstanding experts as possible for our panels, this year we have decided to allow what we call self-nominations – anyone who meets the basic criteria can apply. Anyone whose project has ever been selected for funding should contribute to the evaluation of other scientists’ projects to the best of their ability. Of course, we continue to welcome nominations of experts by scientific institutions.”
There are 39 evaluation panels at the Czech Science Foundation, grouped into 5 discipline committees by the area of science. In total, there are over 400 experts from all fields who evaluate proposals for basic research projects in tenders for Standard Projects, POSTDOC INDIVIDUAL FELLOWSHIPS, and International Projects.
What are the main responsibilities of a panel member?
- Being an impartial evaluator abiding by the Code of Ethics
- Writing reviews for an average of 12-17 project proposals each year, and evaluating additional ones
- Recommending independent external reviewers for the second phase of the evaluation
- Monitoring the progress of the projects funded, and preparing on average 5-7 reports after project completions
- Attending four panel meetings each year where projects are discussed
What are the minimum requirements?
- Academic qualifications at the level of a Ph. D. or higher
- Active scientific activity in basic research
- Significant contribution to the advancement of knowledge and discovery
- Experience with basic research projects as a principal investigator or co-investigator
- Ability to assess scientific problems in the broader context of the development of the discipline internationally
What we offer
- The opportunity to actively participate in the development of scientific excellence in the Czech Republic
- Experience in evaluating and preparing grant proposals
- Opportunity to become familiar with current trends in the field
- Financial remuneration proportionate to the level of involvement in the evaluation process
BECOME A MEMBER OF AN EVALUATION PANEL – apply by 15 December 2022
Important note: If you do not receive confirmation of your nomination within one working day, please contact our helpdesk.
- Find out more about the evaluation panels
- Find out more about the evaluation processes
Call for nominations for members of the evaluation panels of the Czech Science Foundation 2022 (*.pdf) – in Czech only