Grant Applications
FUNDING DECISION PROCESS
Research quality, as defined by independent peer review, is the main criterion against which proposals are assessed. Therefore the Joule Centre will use peer review to evaluate research proposal applications, and to assist in prioritising proposals when in competition. There are generally two stages in the process: refereeing and prioritisation.
Refereeing
When a research proposal is received, a copy is sent to a number of referees, including at least one nominated by the applicant. Each referee will evaluate the proposal and return it to the Joule Centre.
Proposals that receive highly supportive comments from at least two referees
are considered for funding prioritisation. For Seed Corn grants a simplifyied
refereeing process is used.
Prioritisation
Prioritisation will be based on the Selection Criteria listed in the Invitation for Research Proposals and the Referee's comments. The Joule Centre Director, will judge the relative quality of research proposals competing for funding and produce a rank ordered list based on the Referee's evaluation of all the research proposals under consideration.
Funding Decision
The Centre Director will present his recommendations to the Board of Governors on which proposals are to be funded based upon the rank ordered list and the funding available. All applicants are notified of the outcome of the panel in writing. If the application is successful, this notification will be in the form of a grant offer letter, which is sent to the research organisation's administrative authority.
Selection criteria:
- Scientific and technological excellence of the proposal.
- Demonstrated value to the Northwest including exploitation and dissemination
- Track record of the Investigators and their collaborating organisations
- Value for money including the potential for co-funding
- Clear milestones and deliverables
Benefits to the Northwest
A key criteria for grant applications for Joule Centre awards is that the research proposal must clearly identify benefits to the Northwest and demonstrate how this will aid the Northwest’s contribution and links into the national schemes for sustainable energy.