Assessment process
Applications will be subject to external expert peer review and you will be provided with an opportunity to respond to reviewers’ comments.
You will be able to suggest up to four peer reviewers as part of the Je-S proforma.
Overall assessment will be conducted by a panel of experts covering scientific, managerial, technical and user aspects of resource provision. You should expect a decision within eight weeks of the panel meeting.
We do not seek to implement a sift, but BBSRC reserves the right to do so if required to moderate demand to a manageable level.
New and existing resources
Applications for both new and existing resources are assessed as part of the same process. While similar in principle, the potential and promise of a new resource and the demonstrable user need of an existing resource are not necessarily directly comparable.
A ‘new resource’ is defined as a proposal where the ‘project focus is on development of a new resource that:
- is needed by a community of researchers in the BBSRC remit
- does not currently exist elsewhere’.
This would usually also apply to the development of a project-based resource into a community-based one.
An ‘existing resource’ is a proposal where ‘project focus is on further development or essential maintenance to safeguard functionality of a resource that has an existing user base’.
An existing resource does not need to have previously received funding by BBSRC or the BBR Fund.
Assessment criteria
Initially the BBSRC office will assess whether applications are within the remit of BBSRC and fit within the scope of the BBR Fund.
Only those proposals falling within scope and within BBSRC’s remit will be sent out to peer review and assessed by the panel.
The panel stage will assess all applications using the following assessment criteria.
More detail on the criteria can be found in the assessment criteria document (PDF, 154KB).
Scientific quality and strategic relevance of the resource
Including:
- the extent to which the resource meets the highest international standards in resource provision in its field
- how well the resource is demonstrated to be unique or complementary to other similar existing resources
- the extent to which the resource addresses the research and policy priority areas of BBSRC.
Cost effectiveness, particularly considerations for long-term sustainability beyond BBSRC funding
The extent to which:
- the resource delivers value for money relative to the anticipated scientific gains it will provide
- long term sustainability options have been considered, addressed, and planned where appropriate, particularly for existing resources.
Potential for economic and social impact beyond the academic community
Including:
- the extent to which the outputs from the resource will contribute to knowledge and potential for economic return or social impact
- how well the proposal has outlined methods of engagement and measures of success in developing milestones and timelines of associated activities.
Fit to the scope
How well the proposal addresses the scope of the opportunity.
Assessment criteria adapted to new or existing resources
To allow for a more nuanced assessment between new and existing resources, the use of the following assessment criteria will be adapted accordingly.
For new resources, these criteria will assess the ‘plans, potential, and promise’ of the resources.
For existing resources, the following assessment criteria will assess the ‘presented evidence and previous performance’.
Quality of the overall arrangements for resource management, advisory functions, as well as user access and engagement
Including:
- the extent to which the proposal has evidenced or planned interaction with relevant users and the broader research community to ensure the aims of the resource are realised and there is sufficient uptake and continued development
- the extent to which adequate user access arrangements have been discussed and considered
- the set-up of project management and advisory structures of the resource to ensure longevity in delivering the resource to a broad user base.
Need or demand, and potential benefit to the UK academic research community
The extent to which:
- the community has demonstrated demand for the proposed resource, relative to the total community size (in particular, proposals for new resources should have consulted their prospective community prior to application)
- the proposed resource will deliver and benefit the wider BBSRC community indicating how the proposed resource will help to deliver high-quality research.
