NRIN Happy Hour

Funding through lottery? What does it mean for Research Integrity? (Dr. Serge Horbach – Radboud University; Professor Marcel Levi – President of NWO; Professor Matthias Egger – former President of the Research Council of the Swiss National Science Foundation)

This NRIN Happy Hour webinar session will explore the controversial topic of using partial lotteries for grant allocation in research, as an alternative or complement to the traditional peer-review system. While peer review remains the dominant method for funding decisions, its limitations, including inherent biases and the difficulty of evaluating truly novel research, are increasingly recognised. This webinar will bring together diverse perspectives to examine the potential of lottery-based mechanisms to address these shortcomings. We will delve into the practical aspects of implementing such systems, drawing on the experience of those who have run them, and consider the potential benefits, such as increased diversity and reduced bias.

The discussion will also address the critical implications of lotteries for research integrity. We will hear from the chair of NWO, offering a crucial perspective from a funder that has hitherto not implemented partial lotteries. He will share potential concerns and considerations about wider implications from a funding agency’s viewpoint. A scholar in research integrity will further explore the conceptual ramifications of incorporating chance into the grant allocation process, prompting a deeper understanding of the potential impact on the research landscape. This webinar aims to trigger discussions about the future of research funding, weighing the potential advantages and disadvantages of partial lotteries and peer review for allocating public funds.