'Lower workload when submitting research proposals'
The universities and the NWO - the organization that funds scientific research - want to limit the high workload when submitting research proposals. They present a plan of action today. Assessing researchers differently is one of the measures.
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'What was a very robust structure has now become a system that squeaks and creaks', the universities and the NWO write today their letter to education minister Ingrid van Engelshoven (D66). The organizations do emphasize that the real solution lies with the cabinet: extra money must be made available for science to provide stability for the sector. "That is the only way to a structural solution for the widely felt system pressure," say the organizations.
What was a very robust structure has now become a system that squeaks and creaks
Assessment criteria
The universities and the NWO are taking a number of measures to relieve the greatest pressure on academic staff, such as professors, university lecturers and researchers. For example, researchers now spend a lot of time writing research proposals and there is only a small chance that they actually have a chance to receive funding.
Universities therefore want to look less at obtaining research funding when it comes to staff promotion criteria. 'A scientist can excel in many areas, but to date is mainly assessed on research performance. As a result, there is a disproportionate emphasis on the ambitions in the research domain, 'say the organizations. In addition, young researchers should be exempted from applications so that they have more time for their development.
A scientist can excel in many areas, but until now he has mainly been judged on his research performance
The universities also want to focus on more support for research applications. This should help researchers draft their application and improve quality.
The NWO wants to introduce stricter requirements for the resubmission of research proposals. If the final verdict is weak on a proposal, this may mean that researchers cannot resubmit for one or two years to reduce the number of applications to NWO.
Delete deadlines
The NWO intends to scrap the deadlines for applications, so that scientists can submit their plans continuously and do so 'when the time is right'. This prevents rush work and the submission of proposals, even if they are actually not good enough for it.
The universities and the NWO are still investigating together whether a pre-selection can be made at the universities when it comes to research proposals. The danger is, the organizations write, that this must be done without a shift from NWO to universities and the academic staff not yet noticing.
Structural investments
Donald Pechler, acting on behalf of the AOb negotiates collective labor agreements at universities and research institutions, says it is positive that the universities recognize that the system 'squeaks and creaks'. “We see that too. Professors and university lecturers who teach a lot write their research proposals in their spare time. Especially now that student numbers at universities have gone up, but no money has been added. ”
Financing is another point. “There are researchers who depend on research grants for their appointment at the university. They therefore feel responsible for obtaining research funding. ” Pechler thinks that more money should go to universities, 1,15 billion euros is needed structurally in this education sector. “Universities should be given more budget per year for research. Only then will you reduce the workload. Scientists then do not always have to submit research applications and can focus on research itself and on education. ”
