European Commission is Looking for Experts to Evaluate Funding Applications
If you have in-depth knowledge of a specific domain you can consider to work as an expert for the European Commission (EC). The EC has many funding programs such as Horizon Europe. Applications for funding are assessed by independent experts. The EC is currently actively inviting people to register as an expert. It is important work and the time investment is remunerated.
Why are experts needed?
The EC disburses millions of euros through funding and tenders each year. To help assess where the money should go, the EC is calling on people to come work as an expert. Experts are needed to:
- Assess applications for EU funding (including prizes and tenders)
- Monitor of EU funded projects and contracts,
- Give your advice on specific issues.
An expert is anyone with extensive experience and knowledge of one or more domains. Experts act in their individual capacity and not in name of an organization or institution. To have a fair and balanced assessment process it is important to have a diverse pool of experts representing different perspectives, geographies and backgrounds. The areas of expertise that are needed coincide with the themes of the the EU funding programmes.
Why become an expert now?
On June 19 the EC organised the webinar: How to become an expert for Horizon Europe. The recording of the webinar is available on the linked page. In it Isabel Vergara Ogando, Deputy Head of Unit - Common Service for Business Processes, EC, says that it has been a long time since they organized an event to invite people to register as an expert. She says that they need people with an expertise "in order to assist us with the evaluation of proposals and with the monitoring of projects." "
What to expect when registering as an expert?
After the introduction, Alberto Fraile Ramos, Policy Officer at the same unit, gives a 20-minute talk in which he provides a clear overview of what the work of an expert looks like. If you are considering registering as an expert, it is worth watching his talk. To give a brief summary: experts assess applications (most often remotely) and fill out assessment reports. The next stage is the consensus stage where the group of three or more assessors need to find consensus about the applications. This is often done in person in Brussels and may take up to a week. The talk also provides insight in the remuneration for the work of experts. When you register as an expert, it is not a given you are called upon. If you are called upon, it is up to you to decide if you are available.
Links and information
- You can register as an expert by creating an account at the EC portal and filling out a form. (Follow the 'Register as an expert' link on this page
- Page of the webinar: webinar: How to become an expert for Horizon Europe which includes the video recoding and the slides of the presentations.
- Document with the call for the expression of interest of experts.
