Universities
Your Partner for
Universities
Research assessment solutions
Supporting Universities in their Evaluation Processes
ESF has assisted numerous universities in evaluating a variety of funding applications, including (post-)doctoral fellowships, chair positions, interdisciplinary research projects, and strategic multi-year research programs. Universities benefit from ESF's expertise and advice in designing and implementing an assessment process adapted to their unique needs.
Our Research Assessment Support
ESF delivers independent, tailored Research Assessment Solutions to strengthen your academic evaluation and funding processes. With our Community of Experts and decades of experience, we provide transparent, robust, and unbiased assessments.
Our key strengths include:
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10,000+ expert reviewers across all scientific fields
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Strict conflict-of-interest management
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Customisable and tailored evaluation processes
Explore recent Competitive Calls supported:
Assessment type:
External Expert Assessment
and Review Panels
Research areas
All research fields
VLIR - Flemish Interuniversity Council (Belgium)
Full evaluation process of VLIR's iBOF's call
In 2024, ESF supported the Flemish Interuniversity Council (VLIR) in the evaluation of the “Special Research Fund” (“iBOF”) applications submitted by interuniversity consortia involving at least two Flemish universities. An iBOF project brings together top researchers who are expected to promote Flanders at an international level by deepening or broadening scientific knowledge and increasing capacity building in a sustainable partnership.
ESF collaborated with VLIR to design and implementation the iBOF call selection process, including external peer review by 5 five expert reviewers, organizing applicant rebuttals, setting up review panels and conducting panel interviews with the applicant consortia.
What we valued most about ESF’s research grant evaluation was the responsive and helpful ESF team, the strict and careful management of the evaluation process, the guidance and preparation of the international evaluation panel and their clear advice on research project evaluation and the peer review process in general.
It enabled us to take sound funding decisions and to enhance our evaluation procedure.
Koen Verlaeckt
Secretary General
VLIR (Flemish Interuniversity Council)
Assessment type:
External Expert Assessment
Research areas
Interdisciplinary projects
Socio-economic
A*midex University Foundation (France)
Evaluation of more than 750 research project proposals
As part of the multiannual partnership, in 2023 and 2024, ESF supported competitive calls of the A*Midex University Foundation of the Aix-Marseille University (AMU), bearer of the IDEX (Initiative of Excellence) funding under the French national programme “Investments for the Future” ("PIA-Programme Investissements d’Avenir"). ESF has assessed over 750 research project proposals involving more than 100 experts across several calls for research projects by AMU researchers: Chairs of Excellence positions, calls supporting researcher training, interdisciplinary projects and research partnerships with socio-economic actors.
Assessment type:
External Expert Assessment
and Review Panels
Research areas
All research fields
University of Bordeaux (France)
Evaluation of Chair positions & research projects
Since 2021, ESF has been partnering with the University of Bordeaux, bearer of the IDEX (Initiative of Excellence) under the French national “Investments for the Future Programme” ("PIA-Programme Investissements d’Avenir").
Ever since, ESF has provided independent expert assessment and organised review panels for the assessment of the university's Junior and Senior Chair applications (Programmes “Chaires Junior”, “Chaires de pré-recrutement”, “Chaires Senior”, "Grands programmes de recherche").
Since 2018, the University of Bordeaux has partnered with ESF to evaluate major research programmes, academic Chairs, and post-doctoral positions. ESF consistently provides high-quality scientific reviews, delivered on time.
We value their professionalism and expertise, and we are fully satisfied with our collaboration.
We confidently recommend ESF as a trusted partner in grant evaluation.
Claire GAUGAIN
Manager of the Development Project Steering Support Service
University of Bordeaux
Assessment type:
External Expert Assessment
Research areas
All research fields
Nantes Université (France)
External peer review of research projects
In 2024, ESF supported Nantes University, bearer of the French I-SITE NExT funding under the French national programme “Investments for the Future” ("PIA-Programme Investissements d’Avenir").
ESF led the assessment process of "Labex projects" (“Projets structurants de recherche”) by international expert reviewers.
Assessment type:
External Expert Assessment
Research areas
All research fields
La Rochelle University (France)
Evaluation of Chair positions
In 2024, ESF has provided independent external reviews for La Rochelle University in the framework of their “Project of Excellence ” scheme for the selection of Junior & Senior Chairs funded by the French national programme “Investments for the Future” ("PIA-Programme Investissements d’Avenir").
Assessment type:
External Expert Assessment
Research areas
Interdisciplinary research
Lorraine Université d'Excellence (France)
Evaluation of research project proposals
In 2024, ESF is supporting Lorraine Université d’Excellence (LUE), bearer of the I-SITE funding under the French national programme “Investments for the Future” ("PIA-Programme Investissements d’Avenir").
ESF provided external expert reviews for the applications submitted under the following programmes: IMPACT research, large Interdisciplinary Research (PI) and Centres of Research & Transversal Expertise (CRET).
What I appreciated most about ESF’s research grant evaluation was the support from the ESF team. Their assistance ensured independent, external evaluations free from conflicts of interest, helping us optimize our funding decisions. The team’s responsiveness also enabled us to launch our programs in alignment with our strategic roadmap
Philippe Lambert
Project Manager (Chef de Projet Cellule opérationnelle LUE)
I-SITE Lorraine Université d'Excellence
Assessment type:
External Expert Assessment
Research areas
Interdisciplinary projects
Socio-economic
University of Milano (Italy)
External peer Review of more than 150 research projects
In 2024, ESF supported University of Milano in the evaluation of the call My First SEED Grant to support early-career researchers working at the University.
ESF grant evaluation support involved the set-up of the online application submission portal and the external assessment of the applications by two international expert reviewers. ESF provided over 150 expert assessments.
Assessment type:
External Expert Assessment
Research areas
Interdisciplinary projects
Université Grenobles Alpes (France)
Evaluation of interdisciplinary research projects
In 2021 and 2022, ESF supported Grenoble Alpes University (UGA), bearer of the IDEX (Initiative of Excellence) French national programme “Investments for the Future” ("PIA-Programme Investissements d’Avenir"), in the assessment of “Cross-Disciplinary & Cross Disciplinary Tools” programmes.
This programme meant to foster interdisciplinary collaboration between UGA’s different laboratories and centres across diverse disciplines and methodologies. ESF provided over 130 expert assessments.
Assessment type:
External Expert Assessment
Research areas
Biomedical
KU Leuven (Belgium)
Evaluation of flagship projects in Biomedical sciences
In 2023, ESF supported the evaluation process big flagship platform projects at KU Leuven University and UZ Leuven in Belgium, covering biomedical research, diagnostics and treatment, which have outstanding innovative evidence‐base of clinical research and disruptive directions.
ESF provided independent assessments by experts from academia and industry.
Assessment type:
External Expert Assessment
& Review Panels
Research areas
All research areas
Marie Sklodowska-Curie Action (MSCA) Cofunds
Evaluation of Doctoral & Postdoctoral MSCA Cofunds
ESF has also supported multiple universities and European University Alliances coordinating Marie Sklodowska-Curie Action (MSCA) Cofunds.
Depending on the specific review process of each Cofund, ESF has set up the application submission platform, provided expert assessments, organized review panel evaluations, and managed applicant rebuttals and interviews.
Discover other partners!
Public Authorities
We partner with Public Authorities to evaluate a wide range of funding programmes.
Philanthropies
We partner with Philanthropies to evaluate a wide range of funding programmes.
MSCA Cofunds
We partner with MSCA Cofunds to evaluate a wide range of funding programmes.
Research Funding Organisations
We partner with Research Funding Organisations to evaluate a wide range of funding programmes.
Success Stories
Fight Kids Cancer 2025-2026 Call for Proposals
Advancing Paediatric Cancer Research in Europe
FWF Cluster of Excellence funding programme
Contact Us!
We are ready to answer any questions, discuss potential collaborations, and schedule a meeting. Feel free to drop us an email.
Julia Boman
Grant Evaluation Partnerships Manager
Eliana Legoux
Grant Evaluation Partnerships Administrator