Another draw for internal research funds, digital for the first time
The third annual draw for internal research funds within the Tilburg School of Humanities and Digital Sciences (TSHD) took place on January 18 and was digital for the first time. TSHD chose this form of distributing grants from the interdisciplinary Seed Money Call because it is fairer, more efficient and objective. The research proposals submitted have previously undergone minimal review and are allowed to participate because they meet the criteria. This year there were a total of 16 participants and 10 proposals were honored.
With this form of resource allocation, the faculty board wants to encourage a sustainable research culture that focuses on collaboration rather than competition. To distribute research funds based on rankings prepared by reviewers does not fit with this, it argues. Distributing grants by review and ranking is often not objective, so it is fairer to raffle off grant money. Furthermore, interdisciplinary collaboration is a prerequisite for submission.
Dean Boudewijn Haverkort: "The draw was conducted entirely digitally for the first time this year. This allowed for a simpler way of making the probability of a project being selected inversely proportional to the size of the project budget. So, larger applications had a smaller chance of being selected, and vice versa. Thus, the expected award was the same for every project submitted.'
Because there is no priority list, the added advantage of drawing lots is that someone who didn't win knows it wasn't because of the quality of the proposal. Drawing lots is also more sustainable because "overselling," the touting of the research proposal without basis, no longer plays a role in awarding.
The call covered research in the area of health & well-being, as it is of great importance to understand how science can support and empower people in a world with many profound crises. The total amount of grants to be awarded was 100,000 euros, with a maximum of 20,000 euros per proposal.
Quality standard
One of the winners is Eriko Fukuda (TSHD):"I am very happy with the result, and also with this way of selecting proposals. Last year I also participated, but was not selected. So now I won and with this grant I can continue and also apply for a larger grant in the future."
Suzanne van der Beek, theologian, was eliminated from the draw, but finds the draw 'a very good idea': "This way of awarding is transparent and fair, because everyone is tested. You know your proposal is good and that's why I don't take it personally."
The Seed Money Call draw took place for the first time in 2022. For previous editions, see ScienceGuide and Univers.