REVIEW CRITERIA FOR CNMS RESEARCH PROPOSALS
The CNMS expects high-impact, peer-reviewed scientific or technological
publications to result from all user research projects. PIs and
reviewers should keep this in mind when proposing or evaluating
research projects.
SCIENTIFIC
MERIT – Definitions
of Ratings (scale 1 to 5)
5
-Extraordinary |
The
proposal involves cutting-edge research of great scientific
importance. Proposed research will significantly advance knowledge
in a specific field or scientific discipline. Access to the
specialized capabilities and/or expertise of the CNMS is essential
to the success of the proposed work. I believe this proposal must be supported with the highest priority. |
4
-Excellent |
The
proposed research is of high quality and has potential for
making an important contribution to a specific field or scientific
discipline. The work is innovative and is likely to be published
in a leading scientific journal. Access to the specialized
capabilities and/or expertise of the CNMS is highly desirable
for the success of the proposed work. I strongly recommend that this proposal should be supported. |
3
-Good |
The
proposed research is inventive and likely to produce publishable
results. Impact on a specific field or scientific discipline
is likely. The proposed work will greatly benefit from access
to the specialized capabilities and/or expertise of the CNMS. This proposal should be supported if ample resources are available. |
2
-Fair |
The
proposed research is interesting but may not significantly
impact a specific field or scientific discipline. Publication
may or may not result from this research. This proposal should
not be supported if the required resources are limited. |
1
-Poor |
The
proposed research is not well planned or is not feasible. Results
would not make important contributions to fundamental or applied
understanding, and work is not likely to result in publication. This proposal should not be supported. |
CAPABILITY
OF THE PROPOSING GROUP – Evaluation Criteria (scale 1 to
3)
This
score should be based on the capability of the proposing team,
whose members are listed on p. 1 of the proposal. Consider
the following factors:
-
Experience
& education
- Publication
record in nanoscale science or nanotechnology or related science
field
- Sufficient
and appropriate personnel to conduct proposed experiment/theoretical
study in proposed time frame
3
-Excellent |
- The
proposing research team is widely recognized in the
field with an outstanding
record of publication OR is led by junior researchers
who have demonstrated exceptional promise for future
accomplishment.
- The
combination of team members is strong across all technical
areas needed to accomplish the proposed research.
|
2
-Good |
- The
proposing research team has a solid reputation in the field
and a strong
record of publication in leading journals
AND
- The
assembled group appears to have sufficient expertise
across all technical areas required to accomplish the
proposed research.
|
1
-Fair |
- The
proposing research team has not established leadership
in the field
nor demonstrated the potential to make outstanding contributions
OR
The proposal does not provide convincing evidence that the
proposing team has sufficient and appropriate personnel to
accomplish all of their tasks as outlined in the proposal.
|
PARTNER USER EVALUATION (Yes/No)
This
criterion will be applied only to those projects that have been
designated by the PI for the Partner User mode. These projects
must
enhance the capabilities of the CNMS or otherwise contribute
to its operation. Typically they develop the facility instrumentation
in
some way, bringing outside financial and/or intellectual
capital
into the evolution of the CNMS, or improve the operation
of its equipment and facilities. It is required that these contributions
must be made
available eventually to General Users.
A positive
evaluation for this criterion indicates that the Partner’s
contribution is likely to deliver significant value to the
CNMS and its future users based on the following considerations:
-
Would
the proposed development represent a major advance in the state-of-the-art
either as a revolutionary new capability or through
a significant, evolutionary enhancement of an existing capability?
-
Would
the new capability developed under this proposal be unique
in the world, the U.S., or the region (southeastern
U.S.)?
-
Is
the new capability likely to be of broad interest across several
subfields of nanoscale science and technology?
-
How
important is it that this capability be housed at CNMS, either
(a) because the CNMS has essential,
auxiliary capabilities, (b) because the capability will serve
a substantial user community
and needs
to be centrally available in a NSRC,
or (c) because it will significantly strengthen the CNMS in one of its identified
Scientific Themes?
Technical
Feasibility and Availability of Resources are determined
by CNMS research leaders as follows.
TECHNICAL
FEASIBILITY (Yes/No) – evaluated by CNMS
staff prior to external
review
CNMS
staff and leadership make a determination that
a project is feasible
based on the
answers to both
of the
following
questions:
-
Are
the present capabilities and expertise at the CNMS adequate
to perform the requested
tasks?
-
Can
the research be performed safely at CNMS and in compliance with
applicable
environmental, safety, and health regulations?
If
the answer to either question is
NO, the proposal will be returned to the
PI without external peer-review.
AVAILABILITY
OF RESOURCES (No PRC
evaluation or
score)
The
CNMS Director,
in consultation
with CNMS
research leaders,
will allocate
all available
resources based
on priorities
determined from
PRC ratings using
the criteria
described above.
|