Find out more about the assessment criteria.
You can download reviewer guidance and forms at the following links:
- guidance for reviewers of discovery science fellowship proposals
- guidance for reviewers of discovery science urgency grants
- guidance for moderators of discovery science urgency grants
- guidance for assessors of discovery science pushing the frontiers
- guidance for assessors of discovery science large grants
You can also view the guidance for applicants seeking NERC support and our policies on a range of issues from animals in research to research conduct.
You should use the specific announcement of opportunity for the programme proposal that you are reviewing, alongside the reviewer guidance. You can search for the relevant funding opportunities in the funding finder.
Using generative artificial intelligence (AI) in peer review
Assessors, including reviewers and panellists, must:
- not use generative AI tools as part of their assessment activities, except for language refinement purposes
- comply with relevant intellectual property and data protection legislation
- not take into account or speculate within their assessment whether generative AI has been used to develop the application
When using generative AI to refine the language of a review, assessors must ensure that:
- no part of the application being assessed is entered into generative AI
- no personal information from the application is disclosed
- generative AI is not tasked with understanding, summarising or evaluating the application’s content
For more detail see our policy on the use of generative AI.
General guidance
Confidentiality of research grant applications.
Last updated: 7 July 2026