Open AccessWhy can't we make research grant allocation systems more consistent? A personal opinion
Author(s) -
Cousens Roger
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
ecology and evolution
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.17
H-Index - 63
ISSN - 2045-7758
DOI - 10.1002/ece3.4855
Subject(s) - lottery , clarity , quality (philosophy) , selection (genetic algorithm) , actuarial science , business , computer science , economics , microeconomics , biochemistry , chemistry , philosophy , epistemology , artificial intelligence
Uncertainty is expected to enter into our grant allocation processes at many points, not limited to those directly involving assessment by peers. The selection of grants for funding is thus prodigiously low in statistical power and will remain so. The replacement of current systems with some form of lottery, as has been proposed, seriously risks weakening the quality of applications. Opportunities exist for agencies to encourage and reward greater clarity and innovation in research outcomes.