Reviewing letters of intent and selecting projects going forward

Letters of intent are reviewed more lightly than full applications. In the review of letters of intent, particular focus in placed on the significance of the project in terms of the objectives set for the call/research programme. The special objectives of a research programme and the evaluation criteria of the projects are described in the call for applications as well as in the research programme memorandum.

The letters of intent submitted for research programmes and Centre of Excellence programmes are reviewed by a Programme Steering Group that comprises the Academy’s Research Council and/or Board members appointed by the Academy as well as representatives of possible other funding agencies participating in the programme. In addition, the expertise of a Programme Steering Group may, if needed, be expanded by Finnish or foreign experts in the field.

On the basis of the proposal by the Programme Steering Group, a sub-committee set up by the Academy decides on the projects to be invited to the second round. A sub-committee is composed only of the Academy’s Research Council and/or Board members. In most calls, no written feedback is given to applicants on the review of letters of intent.