Review Process
This information is provided both for applicants and for reviewers.
The Foundation is committed to a process of expert (or 'peer') review. While peer review is commonly associated with the assessment of scientific research, the Foundation uses reviewers across each of its programmes. They are selected as experts in their field who are qualified to provide an informed and impartial review. The process is central to our decision-making and we are extremely grateful to those who undertake this work for us.
Each applicant is given the opportunity to nominate a reviewer. The Foundation will then choose additional reviewers (the number will depend on the scale and complexity of the project).
The confidentiality of the reviewers chosen is integral to the process. It is, however, an open process to the extent of providing feedback questions or queries to applicants where appropriate. This is done without compromising the identity of reviewers.
We do not issue detailed guidance to reviewers, preferring to give them freedom to comment on the merits of the applicant and project. As such, we do not operate a formal scoring system.
Reviewers' comments are considered alongside the application by expert panels, who make recommendations to the Trustees.