The ESRC invites academics to consider joining a new Peer Review Group formed specifically to assist with the review of applications to ESRC Global Challenge Research Fund calls.  This Group will sit alongside the ESRC Peer Review College which has been established for some years and provides an extremely valuable resource for the peer review of grant applications to the ESRC.

The Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF) is a new five-year £1.5 billion funding stream, announced as part of the Government’s 2015 spending review. It forms part of the UKs Official Development Assistance commitment, to support cutting-edge research which addresses the problems faced by developing countries.  The fund, administered through delivery partners including the Research Councils and national academies, will address global challenges through disciplinary and interdisciplinary research, will strengthen capability for research and innovation within both UK and developing countries, and will provide an agile response to emergencies and opportunities.

From the initial allocation of the fund, over the ESRC Delivery Plan 2016-20 period, £35 million has been allocated to GCRF.  Details of the initial set of thematic priorities and planned calls can be found at:  Global Challenges Research Fund.

An active interdisciplinary GCRF Peer Review Group will be critical to ensuring all proposals to GCRF calls are fully and appropriately peer reviewed. Good quality peer review is fundamental to the ESRC’s ability to ensure robust and transparent funding decisions and to supporting the very best social science.  

While individual contributions may vary, it is anticipated that each Review Group member will be invited to review up to around 10 proposals over any rolling year.  For certain GCRF calls Review Group members may alternatively be invited to join an assessment panel where they will  be allocated a group of proposals to review and invited to take part in a funding decision meeting.    

 While a research focus on developing countries is necessary for all Expert Group members, membership is strongly encouraged beyond International Development departments and will encompass the full range of social science disciplines.

Prospective members should complete the application form and send it along with their CV to:  [email protected].

Any questions or queries should also be sent to the mailbox:  [email protected].