THE REVIEW PROCESS

The objective of The Open Source Science Project research microfinance platform is to support innovative researchers in their pursuit of scientific understanding.  As part of this mission, each research project proposal that is submitted to The OSSP will undergo a two-tier review process where each will first be reviewed by the faculty of The OSSP, and then by a community of experts within its primary field of study.

While the review criteria may differ depending upon the field of study within which the promosed research falls; all reviewers will be encouraged to review submitted proposals based upon the following criteria:

Overall Impact.  Reviewers will be asked to provide written feedback addressing a series of general questions. Among these: How important is the proposed research to advancing knowledge and understanding within its field, or across multiple fields of study?  To what extent does the proposed research reflect creative, original, or potentially transformative concepts?

Feasibility.  Reviewers and members of The OSSP faculty will be asked to assess the feasibility of the proposed research. Specifically, each will be asked to review whether the researcher and their collaborators are well suited to conduct the proposed study; whether the proposed research is organized; whether the proposed research may be conducted with the budget requested; and whether the researcher has sufficient access to the necessary resources (i.e. facilities, instrumentation, networks, partnerships).

In addition, each reviewer will be asked to provide written feedback, and an opinion regarding whether the proposed research project should be approved, amended, or rejected.  If approved by a minimum of five expert reviewers, proposed projects will immediately be published online to begin receiving microinvestments.  Researchers whose proposals are conditionally approved, pending amendment; or rejected, will be informed via email.

In the interest of ensuring the highest-quality expert review for all researchers who submit project proposals to The OSSP, we actively recruit our reviewers based on their professional qualifications, field(s) of expertise, and their record of receptivity they have shown toward innovation and creativity in research.

For Reviewers: If you have received an invitation, please click on the link provided within the email in order to verify your account information, and begin reviewing research project proposals. If you have not received an invitation, but would like to participate as an expert reviewer, please contact us.