Through a multi-layered peer-review the most promising research projects, the best scientists are funded to perform their research in Russia.
The first stage of review is the individual assessment of applications by remote reviewers of the Russian Science Foundation and their preparation of review report on each project. The result of that review is formalized in the form of the reviwer's answers to questions on the proposal, the final score and the reviewer's personal opinion. At the first stage, each proposal is evaluated by 2 to 5 external reviewers from Russia and abroad exclusively according to scientific merit. Currently, more than 4000 remote reviewers in Russia and more than 1600 international reviewers from 55 countries are registered in our review system.
The second stage of review involves in the evaluation of the application the specialized panels of the corresponding Expert council of the RSF. Such an assessment is carried out taking into account the results of the first stage of review on the basis of consideration of application materials and reviewer’s opinions of the first stage of review. Consideration of applications for panels is carried out in accordance with the scientific disciplines indicated in the applications. Collective discussion during the meetings of the panels engages up to 13 scientists-specialists in the relevant research field. The results of the second stage of review are formalized in the form of rating lists of applications.
The results of the second stage of review are considered at a meeting of the relevant interdisciplinary RSF Expert council, consisting of 56 members that are yearly rotated by research community on the basis of the on-line voting process. They decide on funding recommendations and the amounts of grants. All applications submitted for competitions with the participation of members of the RSF Expert council additionally undergo a secret ballot procedure at a meeting of the RSF expert council. In this case, the voting results are considered valid only if the meeting was attended by at least two thirds of its total members.
The results of review and funding recommendations of the Foundation's Expert council are submitted to the Foundation's Board for formal approval.
Review of submissions for the State Prize of the Russian Federation and the Prize of the President of the Russian Federation in the field of science and innovation for young scientists
Since 2015, in accordance with the Decrees of the President of the Russian Federation of June 18, 2015 No. 312 and of September 28, 2015 No. 485, the Russian Science Foundation has been carrying out scientific review of submissions for the Presidential Prize in Science and Innovation for young scientists and the State Prize of the Russian Federation in science and technology.