Review Process

Applications, whether or not a request for a grant is included, will be submitted to the Research Board and reviewed in the same way as regular Research Board support applications including peer review of the progress research by faculty members.

The Research Board members determine which peer reviewers are used. Reviewers are chosen from the Research Board's database of potential reviewers, recommendations given on the application form, and faculty members the Board members know to have expertise in the subject. Three peer reviews are sought. Reviewers are sent a copy of the complete proposal and a copy of the Research Board's criteria for evaluation of projects. Reviewers then return their confidential recommendations to the Board.

Key factors considered in the decision making process are:

• Quality and importance of the proposed research
• Demonstrated ability of the applicant to conduct the ressearch
• Probable impact the proposed work would have on the field
• Value for development of the applicant's research potential and progress
• Quality and productivity of the applicant
• Budget appropriateness, both in terms of the project proposed and of the Research Board's resources, including consideration of need and availability of external support.

In addition to the board's key factors, the selection criteria will also include:

• The merit and significance of proposed program of research, scholarship, or creative work
• Educational credentials acceptable for UIUC faculty rank in the relevant discipline
• Potential or past productivity of applicant (must be equivalent to UIUC faculty standards)
• Value for enrichment of UIUC campus community
• Feasibility of support of proposed activity from available University resources or with potential external support
• Potential value to the candidate of appointment as a Graduate Scholar

A recommendation is made based on the peer reviewers' comments and the judgement of the Board members.