Review of the Peer Review System
used for the Assessment of Grant Applications
Review of the Peer Review System
used for the Assessment of Grant Applications
Home | Analysts | Background | Contact Person | Focus Group Discussions | Programme Outline | Reference Committee | Registration
The NRF invites all researchers and research managers to participate in a Review of the Peer Review System used for the Assessment of Grant Applications addressed to the NRF.
There is a perception in the South African research community that there are short comings in the quality of the peer review organised by the NRF for the purposes of grant funding. The intention, therefore, is to open these processes to public scrutiny so as to either dispel the perceptions, assuming they are wrong, or to improve the processes, if the perceptions are accurate. The NRF is undertaking this review because peer review, transparent and accountable decision-making are key investment principles described in the NRF Vision 2015.
The format of the review, which was designed with the input of an independent reference committee consisting of 17 people representing a wide array of sectors of the research community, will consist of the following steps:
· Appointment of a panel of independent Analysts who will undertake the review.
· A series of focus group discussions , to be held in Gauteng, the Western Cape, the Eastern Cape and Kwazulu-Natal. The purpose of these meetings will be to:
o Share the intention of the review process with the research community,
o Inform the research community about the planned review process,
o Consider international standards in peer review,
o Discuss the standards required by the community for quality peer review,
o Consider perceptions of the NRF’s processes and solutions to perceived problems.
· The review will be conducted under the guidance and direction of the reference committee.
· The results and recommendations of the review and the NRF’s responses to the recommendations will be shared with the research community through a series of feedback workshops to be held later in the year or early next year.
Four regional Focus Group Discussion meetings will be held in September 2009 to give all researchers and research office personnel the opportunity to participate in the Review. There will be no registration fee payable for attendants, but they are requested to organise their transport and accommodation at their own cost. For catering and planning purposes people wishing to attend are asked to register for the selected meeting by logging on to the website: www.technoscene.co.za/nrfreview to register. Delegates are also requested to fill in the “Questions to Focus Debate” as part of the registration form. The input received in this way will form the backbone of the discussion during the Focus Group Meetings.
Who should attend?
Key leaders in the research sector will be invited to participate. Each university and Science Council will be invited to send at least one representative.