Reviewer Assessment Form: research proposals
Job Reference: xx/xx/xx
Important information – Please read
Your completed responses are considered confidential by the NIHR Evaluation, Trials and Studies
Coordinating centre (NETSCC), and therefore exempt under the provisions of the Freedom of Information
Act (section 41). Your response to section 1 will be passed to applicants to consider, and respond to, prior
to the meeting of the funding board. Your responses to section 2 will remain confidential. Receipt of this
document from NETSCC, and your subsequent completed return, form a ‘mutual confidentiality agreement’
covering your completed responses. This information will not be released without prior consent unless
required by law.
Project lead applicant name:
Institution:
Project reference:
Project title:
Research programme:
Name of reviewer:
Reviewer role title:
Reviewer main areas of
knowledge, skills and
expertise:
The NIHR Evaluation, Trials and Studies Coordinating Centre (NETSCC) is based at the University of Southampton.
Alpha House, University of Southampton Science Park,
Southampton SO16 7NS
tel: +44(0)23 8059 5586
fax: +44(0)23 8059 5639
email: info@netscc.ac.uk
web: www.nets.nihr.ac.uk
Section 1: Your review of the proposed research
Comments entered on this form will be seen by the applicant
Please respond to the following questions. The text boxes provided will expand to accommodate your
comments. The guidance for reviewers document provides detailed information that will assist you in
responding to the questions below – please ensure you read the guidance provided prior to
completing your review.
1.1 Importance, acceptability and potential impact of the proposed research? Please refer to
the guidance document when responding to this question.
1.2 Proposed research methods, recruitment and scientific quality? Please refer to the
guidance document when responding to this question.
1.3 Research Team, resources, value for money and research management? Please refer to
the guidance document when responding to this question.
1.4 Ethics and governance? Please refer to the guidance document when responding to this
question.
1.5 Patient and public involvement? Please refer to the guidance document when responding to
this question.
1.6 Research outputs? Please refer to the guidance document when responding to this question.
2
1.7 Summary
a. What are the key strengths of this proposal?
b. What are the key weaknesses of this proposal?
Strengths:
Weaknesses:
1.8 Do you have any questions for the applicants that you would like the opportunity for the
applicants to respond to prior to the proposal being considered by the funding board? If so,
please provide details below. These questions will be passed to applicants anonymously.
1.9 Do you have any specific comments, that you would like the opportunity for the
applicants to respond to prior to the proposal being considered by the funding board? If so,
please provide details below. These comments will be passed to applicants anonymously.
3
Section 2: Comments (not to be seen by the applicant)
Comments entered on this form will not be seen by the applicant
Responses to section 2 are considered confidential from the applicant and exempt under the
provisions of the Freedom of Information Act (section 41). This information will not be
released without prior consent unless required by law.
2.1 Please use this section to raise any other comments you would like to make in
confidence.
2.2 Please provide a summary score that reflects your overall assessment of the proposed
research.
6
Description of
application
Excellent
5
Good
Proposed research can be funded with minor changes
4
Good potential
There is much merit in this proposal, but it could only be
funded after resubmission, perhaps with additional external
support
3
Some merits
There are significant weaknesses in this application, but
these could in principle be addressed
2
Poor
Weak application
1
Extremely poor
Unsupportable application
Score
Justification
SCORE
Proposed research can be funded as it stands
4
Section 3: Competing Interests
3.1 Potential competing interests
Are you aware of any potential competing interests that you may have? If so, please provide details:
5