How does the RGC conduct its assessment of the research proposals?
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The RGC follows the international practice and has adopted a
peer review mechanism to assess research proposals primarily
based on academic quality and merit. The assessment process
is as follows:
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The RGC has five subject panels, viz. (i) Physical
Sciences Panel; (ii) Engineering Panel and two
sub-panels viz. Civil Engineering / Surveying / Building
& Construction and Mechanical / Production / Industrial
Engineering Sub-panel and Computing Science /
Information Technology and Electrical / Electronic
Engineering Sub-panel; (iii) Biology & Medicine Panel;
(iv) Humanities & Social Sciences Panel and four
sub-panels viz. Psychology and Linguistics Sub-Panel,
Social and Behavioural Sciences Sub-Panel, Humanities
and Arts Sub-Panel and Education Sub-panel; and (v)
Business Studies Panel. Each panel / sub-panel is
responsible for the examination of applications falling
within its purview. The Panel / Sub-Panel Chairmen
determine the distribution of responsibilities among
their members by subject disciplines.
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In assessing the applications, panel / sub-panel members
are requested to invite assessments from at least eight
external reviewers for each proposal, mostly from
overseas who are experts in the related fields of the
applications. For grading purposes, at least two
external reviews must be obtained.
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Taking into account the ratings and comments returned by
external reviewers and in accordance with the approved
criteria, the panel / sub-panel members in charge of a
particular proposal give a preliminary assessment to
each proposal.
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Subject panels / sub-panels meet before the RGC meeting
to consider the proposals. Panel / Sub-panel members
discussed and assess the comments from the external
reviewers and the responsible members in order to arrive
at a panel / sub-panel's decision. Panel / Sub-Panel
Chairmen then submit recommendations to the RGC. The
Secretariat tabulates the funding recommendations by
panels and draws up a summary for discussion by the RGC
at its meeting. The RGC then considers the Panel / Sub
Panel Chairmen's recommendations and makes the final
decisions.
-
The RGC has five subject panels, viz. (i) Physical
Sciences Panel; (ii) Engineering Panel and two
sub-panels viz. Civil Engineering / Surveying / Building
& Construction and Mechanical / Production / Industrial
Engineering Sub-panel and Computing Science /
Information Technology and Electrical / Electronic
Engineering Sub-panel; (iii) Biology & Medicine Panel;
(iv) Humanities & Social Sciences Panel and four
sub-panels viz. Psychology and Linguistics Sub-Panel,
Social and Behavioural Sciences Sub-Panel, Humanities
and Arts Sub-Panel and Education Sub-panel; and (v)
Business Studies Panel. Each panel / sub-panel is
responsible for the examination of applications falling
within its purview. The Panel / Sub-Panel Chairmen
determine the distribution of responsibilities among
their members by subject disciplines.