By Jasmine Janes, Manu Saunders and Sean Tomlinson Last month we posted a two-part blog post about the peer review of grants. In part one we asked if peer review was ‘fair’ and if it could be made better for ECRs. In part two we highlighted and discussed some of the ways that people have suggested improving the grant review process. Finally, we asked you - the greater research community - what your experiences, thoughts and feelings were on the topic of grant application peer

By Dr Jasmine Janes, Dr Manu Saunders & Dr Sean Tomlinson Yesterday we asked if peer review in funding circles was biased, particularly against ECRs (early career researchers). Today we offer some suggestions for improving the grant peer review experience. So, can the grant peer review experience be improved? Yes!! Below are a few aspects of the grant system that we feel can reduce stress and increase fairness for ECRs in the grant review process: Include an IP clause in app

By Dr Jasmine Janes, Dr Manu Saunders & Dr Sean Tomlinson The current system of peer reviewing grant proposals is recent, relative to editorial peer review. It started informally in the USA around the 1950s, apparently within Defence-related research offices, and quickly spread to the major government funding bodies. Today, peer review of grants is commonplace, because it can assist in justifying government spending on research and vet ideas before expert peers. But how fair

In May this year I wrote a little post about my experience applying for a DECRA. Now that the results are out, I thought I should write a follow up. First of all, congratulations to all those applicants who were successful! It is a great achievement. Now, for those of us who were unsuccessful… damn. For those of you who are just interested in the process and want to learn more before attempting your own application… keep reading. The rejoinder I had heard a lot of ‘horror sto

Many ambitious, early career researchers around the world will be considering applying for an Australian Research Council (ARC) Discovery Early Career Research Award (DECRA) in the upcoming months and years. And why shouldn’t they? This prestigious award offers over $130,000 per year for three years and, at least within Australia, it vastly increases your chances of securing a coveted tenure-track position. It’s basically the Holy Grail of research grants. However, with only