The British Council is inviting expressions of interest from early-career to senior-career researchers to act as reviewers and panel members for proposals submitted under the International Science Partnerships Fund (ISPF). Reviewers and panel members are required to be researchers in full-time academic positions.

Peer review is a fundamental part of our assessment process, as it provides expert knowledge to enable panels to make appropriate and considered funding decisions.

As a reviewer or panel member, you will receive in-depth knowledge of our processes, including a deeper understanding of the UK’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) and the importance of inclusive research practices, which can further develop your reviewing and proposal writing skills. Being part of the decision-making process will also give you a broad view of the novel ideas coming through the funding pipeline.

About the International Science Partnerships Fund

The International Science Partnerships Fund is designed to enable potential and foster prosperity. It puts research and innovation at the heart of our international relationships, supporting UK researchers and innovators to work with peers around the world on the major themes of our time: planet, health, tech, and talent. The fund is managed by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and delivered by a consortium of the UK’s leading research and innovation bodies, which includes: UK Research and Innovation (comprising the 7 research councils, Innovate UK and Research England), the UK Academies, the British Council, the Met Office, the National Physical Laboratory, the UK Atomic Energy Authority, and Universities UK International.

Key requirements and processes

Applicants should indicate which review panel they would like to join:

• arts and humanities
• biological and medical sciences
• engineering and physical sciences
• natural environment
• social sciences.

Reviewers will be required to assess, score and rank proposals based on independent assessment against set criteria, including ODA eligibility and whether projects meet the minimum standards for gender inclusion, as required by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology.

The outcome of the assessment, decided by multiple panels of reviewers, will inform the final selection decision. There will be multiple panels within each thematic panel, and each panel will consist of at least three researchers.

Panels will meet online a maximum of twice a year to assess the proposals in each thematic area.

Reviewers will be required to assess up to ten applications prior to panel meetings.
An honorarium of £80 will be given to each reviewer for participating in this process.

Panel members will each be assigned up to 20 applications to present during panel meetings.
An honorarium of £160 will be given to each panel member for participating in this process.

Participation criteria

Expertise

This can be demonstrated by activities including (but not restricted) to:

• research activities in academia or industry (for example, grants, research projects, patents, publications, articles, or conference papers)
• technical expertise (for example, software engineering or instrument development)
• other relevant activities.

Experience of peer review

Peer review skills can be demonstrated through competencies including (but not restricted to):

• peer reviewed applications or journal papers in any context
• constructive criticism in a professional or academic context
• maximising the potential of others
• engagement with and knowledge of a research community in academia or industry.

Equality, diversity and inclusion

British Council are committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion, and to continuing to attract and nurture talented people from the widest pool to remain internationally competitive in research and innovation. We believe that everyone has a right to be treated with dignity and respect, and to be provided with equal opportunities to flourish and succeed. This includes avoidance of bias due to disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership status, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation, sex (gender), and age.

The British Council is committed to equal opportunities and diversity and will consider, on a case-by-case basis, requests for support to encourage underrepresented groups to engage in ISPF activity, so long as sufficient justification is provided.

Other important information

Reviewers and panel members are required to sign a Conflict of Interest and Code of Conduct form and will not be able to review proposals where they have a personal interest or for calls where they have applied.