Peer Review Manual 2012-2013

Complete 2012-2013 Peer Review Manual

The Peer Review Manual outlines activities to be undertaken by evaluation group members and section chairs for each period of the year, and also describes the policies, guidelines and deliverables relevant to these activities. The manual is updated every year.

Most EG members are appointed from the Canadian academic community and are familiar with the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council's (NSERC) mandate, structure and programs. New members appointed from other sectors, may access an overview of these topics on the NSERC Web site. More detailed information can be found in the Program Guide for Professors.

Although we have tried to cover most topics, questions will certainly arise. These should be directed to your NSERC Program Officer or your section chair, who will be glad to help.

Contents

1. Activities for June
   1.1  Nomination of New Members to the Evaluation Groups (EG)
   1.2  Roles, Responsibilities and Important Dates for EG Members
   1.3  Extension of Your Discovery Grant
   1.4  EG Extranet
   
   
2. Activities for August
   2.1  Preparing for Competition
     2.1.1  Orientation Sessions for New Members (Part 1)
     2.1.2  Peer Review Manual
   
   
3. Activities for September
   3.1  Posting of Information to the Extranet
   3.2  Assignment of Reviewers
   3.3  Referees
   3.4  Instructions on How to Complete and Submit Referee Suggestions
   3.5  Form 180 – Notification of Intent to Apply for a Discovery Grant
   3.6  EG Membership
     3.6.1  EG Section Chairs
   
   
4. Activities for November
   4.1  Orientation Session (Part 2) for New Evaluation Group (EG) Members
   4.2  Assignment of Applications
     4.2.1  General Principles
     4.2.2  Executive Committee Meeting
     4.2.3  Late Identification of inappropriately assigned applications
     4.2.4  Incomplete Applications  
   4.3  Assignment of Reviewers for Research Tools and Instruments (RTI)
   
   
5. Activities for December and January
   5.1  Posting of Applications, Sample of Research Contributions and Other Documents on the Evaluation Groups’ (EG) Extranet
   5.2  Travel Arrangements for the Competition Session
   
   
6. Discovery Grant Applications
   6.1  Program Objectives
   6.2  Program Description
   6.3  Nature of Research Supported
   6.4  Eligibility of Individuals
   6.5  Categories of Researchers
   6.6  Evaluation of Applications
       6.6.1  Selection Criteria
         6.6.1.1  Scientific or Engineering Excellence of the Researcher(s)
             6.6.1.1.1   Points of Reflection
        6.6.1.2   Merit of the Proposal
             6.6.1.2.1 Relationship to research supported by other sources of funds
             6.6.1.2.2 Points of Reflection
         6.6.1.3   Contribution of the Training of Highly Qualified Personnel
             6.6.1.3.1 Points of Reflection
     6.6.2    Early Career Researchers
     6.6.3    Special Considerations
          6.6.3.1   Delays in Research and Dissemination of Research Results
          6.6.3.2    Adjunct and Emeritus Professors
          6.6.3.3    Evaluation Group Members
     6.6.4    Relative Cost of Research
     6.6.5    Discovery Accelerator Supplements
   6.7  Policies and Guidelines
     6.7.1    Conflict of Interest
     6.7.2    Framework for Funding Recommendations
     6.7.3    Duration of Grants
   6.8  Time Commitment
   6.9  Deliverables
     6..9.1    Integration of Referee Comments and Past Message to Applicant
     6.9.2    Preparing the Message to the Applicant
   6.10   Rating Form – Discovery Grant Applications
   6.11  Discovery Grant Merit Indicators
   
   
7. Review of Research Tools and Instruments Grant Applications
   7.1  Contact Points
   7.2  Objectives
   7.3  Description
   7.4  RTI Applications – Category 1
     7.4.1  Conflict of Interest
     7.4.2  Criteria for Evaluation
     7.4.3  Eligible and Ineligible Expenses
     7.4.4  Policies and Guidelines
     7.4.5  Deliverables
     7.4.6  Use of Rating Form
   7.5  RTI Applications – Categories 2 and 3
     7.5.1  Conflict of Interest
     7.5.2  Criteria for Evaluation
     7.5.3  Eligible and Ineligible Expenses
     7.5.4  Site Visits
   
   
8. Review of Major Resources Support Grant Applications
   8.1  Contact Points
   8.2  Objective
   8.3  Description
   8.4  Conflict of Interest
   8.5  Criteria for Evaluation
   8.6  Eligible Expenses
   8.7  Ineligible Expenses
   8.8  Application Procedures
   8.9  Review Procedures
   8.10  Duration and Conditions
   8.11  Guidelines for Reduced Funding Recommendations
   8.12  Deliverables
   8.13  Use of the Rating Form
   8.14  Preparing Comments to Applicants
   8.15  Rating Form – Major Resources Support Grant Application
   
   
9. Activities for February
   9.1  Logistics for Competition Session
     9.1.1  Agenda
     9.1.2  Physical Arrangements
   9.2  Roles and Responsibilities for EG Members and NSERC Staff
   9.3  Procedures for Presenting Applications
   9.4  Message to Applicants (Form 141)
   9.5  Policy Meeting
   9.6  Membership Recommendations
   9.7  Confidentiality of EG Funding Recommendations
   
   
10. Activities for March and April
    10.1  Communication With Applicants
    10.2  Finalization of Messages to Applicants
    10.3  Annual Report
    10.4  Membership
    
    
11. Legal and Ethical Issues
    11.1  Canadian Environmental Assessment Act
    11.2  Confidentiality of Application Material
    11.3  Communication with Applicants
    11.4  Code of Ethics and Business Conduct
    11.5  Privacy Act
    11.6  Canadian Human Rights Act
    11.7  Official Languages Act
    11.8  Responsible Conduct of Research
    11.9  Procedures for EG/Panel Members under Investigation
    11.10  Ethical and Other Considerations
    
    

Appendix 1
Guidelines Governing Membership of Selection Committees and Panels

Appendix 2
Declaration for Members of NSERC Selection Committees

Appendix 3
Guidelines on Conflicts of Interest

Appendix 4
Traveling on Behalf of NSERC

Appendix 5
Policy and Guidelines on the Assessment of Contributions to Research and Training

Appendix 6
Guidelines for the Preparation and Review of Applications in Engineering and the Applied Sciences

Appendix 7
Guidelines for the Preparation and Review of Applications in Interdisciplinary Research