The scientific assessments carried out by external referees are a very important part of the Research Council's assessment of applications. The external referee assessments are primarily part of the overall evaluation of applications submitted to the Research Council. The Research Council may also use the assessments as feedback to applicants.
The task of a referee varies somewhat for different application types and calls. Here you will find links, documents and forms that may be useful if you are to have a role as a referee or panel member at the Research Council.
Impartiality and trust are important
It is crucial to us that the assessment assignments are given to professionals and peers who are competent to perform the task. You must therefore read the page about impartiality in administrative proceedings and confirm that you will follow these guidelines.
If you are affiliated with a company that is in direct competition with a company that is the Project Owner or partner in an application, you must notify us of this as soon as possible. There will be a direct competitive relationship when two companies offer similar or similar goods or services to the same market.
Remember this
You have a duty of confidentiality
When you assess applications for us, you have a duty of confidentiality. This means that you cannot share information about other people's private affairs, or about research, company or trade secrets that you learn about. This includes information that constitutes inside information pursuant to Article 7 of the EU Market Abuse Regulation. You shall not use such information for your own benefit or make it available to persons who do not have a right to it. This also applies after you have completed your work for the Research Council. The exception is if we give notice otherwise.
At the Research Council, we follow Section 13 of the Public Administration Act on the duty of confidentiality. Breaking the duty of confidentiality is a criminal offence and may also result in you losing the assignment or other reactions from us.
You need to handle the application documents properly
You can only use the relevant application documents when assessing the application. You may not copy or use the materials for any other purpose. Once you have submitted your assessment, you must securely destroy the material if you have printed out or downloaded the application documents.
Don't use artificial intelligence
You cannot use artificial intelligence, such as ChatGPT, in your assessment work. The use of artificial intelligence in the application assessment may also constitute a breach of the duty of confidentiality (see above).
After the assignment
Remuneration
The remuneration form must be completed by the Research Council after each assessment assignment(approximately every month), you do not need to register a remuneration form.
We pay the referee assignment based on hourly rates in the Government Personnel Handbook and provide you with more information when we agree that you will do an assignment.