How does the FNR fund research?

The FNR’s key values are excellence and quality in research. The FNR systematically submits funding proposals to an evaluation by independent scientific experts and applies the highest standards of scientific merit, transparency, impartiality, confidentiality and integrity.

As a testament to the importance the FNR places on transparency, a 2015 external evaluation of the FNR’s selection process for the CORE programme deemed the process to be transparent, fair, unbiased and impartial. The principles of this selection procedure are applied to all FNR research funding schemes.

Find out more about how the FNR’s funding policies are evolving in 2021.

Types of funding

We have three overarching types of funding:

Person funding (AFR, ATTRACT, Industrial Fellowships, PEARL, KITS)
Project funding (BRIDGES, CORE, INTER, OPEN, INTER Mobility, IPBG, JUMP, PSP-CLASSIC, PSP-FLAGSHIP, PRIDE, RESCOM, and additionally joint project calls with Luxembourg Ministries)
Programme funding (INITIATE; NCER)

For most funding instruments, the grants will be transferred directly to the host institution, which is then responsible for administering the grant.

Browse funding instruments

View eligible FNR beneficiaries

WHO CAN APPLY

FNR funding programmes by type and career stage – view full size

The FNR has funding instruments to cover all career stages, from PhD candidates to researchers who are leaders in their field.

We have programmes for:

Researchers based in Luxembourg (AFR, Industrial Fellowships, CORE, BRIDGES, OPEN, JUMP21, KITS, RESCOM: SCIENTIFIC MONOGRAPHS, RESCOM: SCIENTIFIC EVENTS, PRIDE; PSP-CLASSIC; PSP-FLAGSHIP)

Luxembourgish researchers abroad (AFR, Industrial Fellowships);

Promising researchers abroad who want to establish research groups in Luxembourg (ATTRACT, PEARL);

Bi- and multilateral programmes to support collaboration between researchers in Luxembourg and abroad (INTER);

Researchers working in Luxembourg to go abroad or researchers from abroad to come to Luxembourg (INTER Mobility);

Science communicators and teachers in Luxembourg, to support science outreach (PSP-Classic, PSP-Flagship).

Researchers apply together with their research institution, the specifics vary between funding instruments. The programme descriptions and application guidelines for each funding instruments specify whether the scientist or institution must apply, or whether this must be done together with their research institution.

WHEN WE ACCEPT APPLICATIONS

The FNR has more than 10 different funding instruments, covering a broad spectrum of funding opportunities. When these programmes are opened for proposals, we launch a ‘Call for Proposals’. These calls may cover a certain research topic, or may address other issues of strategic importance for Luxembourg (e.g. attract young promising researchers to Luxembourg).

The programmes AFR, CORE, OPEN, PEARL, ATTRACT, KITS, JUMP21 and PRIDE open for proposals on an annual basis. INTER Mobility, PSP-Classic, BRIDGES, Industrial Fellowships, and RESCOM: Scientific Events open twice per year. The programme INTER has ongoing deadlines, as it serves as an umbrella for research collaborations between scientists in Luxembourg and other researchers across the world.

Selection process

The FNR values a transparent selection process. All applicants submitting proposals (successful or not) will receive the results of the peer review and panel evaluation of their proposals.

1. Peer Review

Once a call has closed the FNR checks submitted proposals for general eligibility. Eligible projects are put through a vigorous peer review process, and each proposal is on average reviewed by 2 – 3 international experts in the relevant field. Peer reviewers must comply with the FNR’s peer review guidelines and sign a non-disclosure agreement before assessing the proposals / applications.

2. Panel and final decision

Following the written evaluation of the proposals, the FNR organises panels consisting of international experts:

– The task of the panel is to discuss and compare the proposals of each domain / call. They are also asked to assess the quality of the written reviews.

– Each panel member is assigned one or more proposals and asked to prepare a detailed synthesis to present to the rest of the panel members.

– The panel makes a funding recommendation to the FNR on each proposal.

– The Board of the FNR makes the final decision on which projects will be funded.