Pool of technologies reviewers
Introduction
The NERC Pool of Technologies Reviewers was set up in January 2010 to improve NERC's handling of 'technology-led' grant proposals.1 Members of the pool provide assessments, advice and guidance across NERC's range of research investments, although they are primarily involved in reviewing responsive mode research proposals.
Membership of the pool is initially for two years. After this, the need for the pool will be reviewed. We anticipate that by then there will be a better understanding in the community of the eligibility and assessment of technology development in responsive mode rounds, allowing technology-led proposals to be treated in the same manner as other applications.
There are currently over 60 members on the pool, all of whom are UK-based researchers.
Background
NERC's strategy, Next Generation Science for Planet Earth 2007-2012, has a distinct theme on technologies to ensure that the research community has the technological capability required to meet NERC's science objectives. To achieve this, NERC is building a framework for technology development that includes:
- improving and upgrading existing technology to ensure that it remains state-of-the-art;
- funding proof of concept studies for new technology;
- developing prototypes that are tested in the environment; and
- funding grants to develop and maintain UK skills and capabilities for the longer term.
The specific activities that will form this framework are being put together by the NERC technologies theme leader, Professor Ally Lewis, and are outlined in the technologies action plan.
Technologies theme action plan (223KB)
The technologies action plan also notes the importance of improving the handling of technology-led proposals within NERC's responsive mode grant schemes. Scientific reviewers often find it difficult to make informed judgments on any technology-led aspects of a proposal; for example on its true technological originality or innovation in the translation of a technology to a new field. This issue has been addressed through the Responsive Mode Action Plan, which identified as an action the need for NERC to convene a 'virtual pool' of technology reviewers.
Role of the pool of technologies reviewers
To ensure moderating panels have sufficient information to fairly assess technology-led proposals at panel meetings, the pool of technology reviewers:
- comment on the novelty and feasibility of the proposed technology;
- provide benchmarking of NERC technology when placed in a wider context;
- identify any cross research council or industrial relevance where appropriate; and
- comment on the potential future usage of the proposed technology in the UK.
Members of the pool are asked to review up to four responsive mode proposals a year. These comments are then used by the moderating panel, alongside the scientific reviews and the Principal Investigator's responses, to guide their funding recommendations. On occasion, members of the pool are also invited to participate in other activities, including observing moderating panel meetings and reviewing applications to research programme grant rounds.
Contact details
For further information please contact Blanche Coleman.
1 Technology-led proposals are those where the focus of the project is technology development and the application of that technology falls within NERC's remit.