DFG Releases Video on the Review Process

Science-led funding decisions:

As an organisation that reflects self-governance in research, the DFG makes its decisions based purely on scientific criteria. This means that researchers decide on the allocation of funding – free from political considerations and based solely on quality. By preparing a review, reviewers are helping to uphold the principle of competitive funding based exclusively on scientific standards.

Familiarity with decision-making processes:

Reviewers gain insights into the review process and the work of DFG statutory bodies, and find out how funding decisions are made.

Participation in academic discourse:

Reviews contribute to academic discussion on current research questions and the quality assessment of projects . After the funding decision has been made, reviewers receive feedback: the DFG Head Office provides details of other researchers’ reviews of the same proposal, the evaluation by the review board, and the final funding decision.

Institutional visibility:

Once a year, the DFG provides universities and non-university research institutions with information on the extent to which their researchers have participated in reviews and which of their researchers are members of the DFG’s statutory bodies.

Voluntary involvement:

By providing a review, reviewers give something back to the research community. Every successful proposal submitted to the DFG is based on the voluntary contributions of researchers who supported it.