Assessment criteria Semper Ardens

The external reviewers will assess the application in terms of four criteria to be graded A, B or C:

Originality and impact of the project

• The project is highly original and has the potential to lead to a scientific breakthrough in its field
• The project is solid and is expected to provide novel insight in its field, but the overall impact may be limited
• The originality and impact of the project are limited

Quality of the scientific approach

• The described approach is of exceptional quality and cutting edge
• The approach is solid and internationally competitive
• The approach is not competitive at the international level

Feasibility of the project

• The methodology and overall project plan are sound and have no major risks that could question the feasibility of the project
• The methodology and overall project plan are sound but have some elements of risk that are not well/fully addressed by the mitigation plans
• The methodology and overall project plan have major flaws that question the feasibility of the project

Quality of the applicant

• The applicant has an outstanding track record relative to his/her career stage and has demonstrated the ability to propose and conduct ground- breaking research
• The applicant has a strong track record and has made important contributions to his/her field
• The scientific merits of the applicant are average to below average in the field

Overall conclusion

The reviewers will provide an overall conclusion summing up the main strengths and weaknesses of the application.

Application

• Is there a clear and relevant research question?
• Is the application written in plain and clear language?

Instrument

• Does the project adequately meet the purpose of the instrument?

Scientific quality

• Originality and breakthroughs
• Is the project original?
• Does the project present a potential scientific breakthrough in the field?
  
  
• Quality of scientific approach
• Is the scientific approach of high quality?
• Is the scientific approach ground-breaking?
• Is the approach internationally competitive?
  
  
• Feasibility of the project
• Is the methodology relevant?
• Is the project plan realistic?
• Are there significant risk factors that may prevent project execution?

Qualifications of the applicant

• Has the applicant obtained excellent results compared to career level?
• Has the applicant demonstrated an ability to carry out innovative research?
• Has the applicant succeeded in defining and developing the field?
• Where funding for scientific staff is included. Has the applicant demonstrated leadership, supervision, and mentoring skills (e.g., research group, international collaboration, leadership course)?