Abstract:

The selection of the most qualified R&D proposals, among a large number of submitted ones for funding, is performed by research funding agencies, after an evaluation process. During this process the agencies are faced with difficulties regarding the length of time, reviewers’ selection, reliability and effectiveness of evaluation.

In this paper, the evaluation parameters responsible for the selection and funding of the research proposals are examined through a case study. The agency under examination is the General Secretariat for Research and Technology (GSRT), which is the Greek governmental agency, responsible for the selection and funding of research proposals. Furthermore, key factors are identified by comparing GSRT’s evaluation system with the European one.

Results show that the effectiveness of the evaluation is strongly related to the required time of the evaluation process as well as reviewers’ selection. The creation of an information technology tool is suggested, which will assist to shorten the evaluation time and to select appropriate reviewers; as a result, the reliability of the R&D proposals’ evaluation will be increased.