Research Nova Scotia (RNS) is seeking qualified individuals to serve as members or chair of the Scientific Review Panel for the April–September 2026 Ear to the Ground Research funding competition.
The Scientific Review Panel will assess the scientific merit of up to 10 full applications across Research Nova Scotia’s three priority sectors:
- Natural Resources, Climate Change and Clean Energy
- Life Sciences and Health Sciences
- Construction and Transportation
RNS intends to appoint three members to the Scientific Review Panel, including one chair. A reserve list may also be established.
Quick Facts
- Positions available: Three panel members, including one chair
- Panel applications open: August 6, 2026
- Normal closing date for panel applications: August 28, 2026; the call may close early
- Panel application review: Rolling
- E2G applications to review: Up to 10
- E2G application materials released to panel members: September 18, 2026
- Virtual panel meeting: September 24, 2026, from 12:00–3:00 p.m. ADT
- Honorarium: $500
- Location: Virtual through Zoom
About Ear to the Ground Research Investments (E2G)
Ear to the Ground Research supports research that responds to identified opportunities and needs in Nova Scotia’s economy. Projects may involve different sectors, disciplines, research environments, and methodological approaches.
ON THIS PAGE
About The Review | Eligibility | Responsibilities | Schedule | Conflict of Interest | How to Apply | Questions
About the Scientific Review
As a condition of funding, proposals submitted to Research Nova Scotia must demonstrate sufficient scientific merit, defined as having “sound design and methodology”.
Sound design and methodology means that:
- the research objectives are clear and well-defined
- the proposed research design and methods are suited to the research objectives
- the research can be completed with the proposed resources, timeline, and team
Scientific Review Panel members are not expected to be subject-matter experts in the specific fields represented by the proposals. Instead, they bring the research experience and methodological expertise required to assess scientific merit as described above.
For each application, the panel will determine whether the proposal meets or does not meet scientific merit requirements.
Who is eligible?
Applicants for a Scientific Review Panel member position must:
- ordinarily live and work outside Nova Scotia, but in Canada, and be actively involved in the Canadian research environment
- not currently work remotely for, or hold an employment, academic, research, clinical, governance, advisory, adjunct, or other formal appointment with, an organization located in Nova Scotia
- have completed their highest degree on or before September 18, 2023
- Applicants who do not hold a research-based graduate degree may be considered if they have at least five years of progressively responsible independent research experience.
- have at least two years of substantive research experience.
- For this opportunity, substantive research experience means having current or previous responsibility for independently developing or leading research questions, methods, analyses, projects, or programs of research.
- have produced at least three recognized research outputs within the past five years
- Recognized research outputs may include peer-reviewed publications, scholarly books or chapters, technical or research reports, patents, research software, datasets, validated tools, standards, guidelines, protocols, methodologies, research-based products or technologies, and comparable outputs involving a substantive intellectual or technical contribution.
- be able to assess a range of scientific and research methods, including work outside their immediate area of subject-matter expertise
- be able to review a majority of the applications without a conflict of interest
- be available for the full review period and panel meeting, and
- be able to access and use Jura and Zoom
Previous experience reviewing research funding applications is a strong asset but is not required.
Applicants will generally be ineligible if they:
- currently live or work in Nova Scotia
- currently work remotely for an organization located in Nova Scotia
- currently hold a formal appointment or role with a Nova Scotia organization
- held employment or a formal academic, research, clinical, governance, or advisory appointment with a Nova Scotia organization within the past five years, or
- completed a degree or formal education program in Nova Scotia within the past five years
Current or recent collaborations with Nova Scotia researchers or organizations must be disclosed and will be assessed individually. A temporary absence from Canada, such as a sabbatical, will not normally exclude an otherwise eligible applicant.
Additional eligibility requirements for the panel chair
In addition to meeting the panel member requirements, applicants for the chair position must:
- have experience chairing or facilitating structured professional discussions
- be able to manage complex discussions, differing perspectives, and time-limited agendas
- be comfortable working with senior researchers and technical subject matter, and
- be able to facilitate an impartial process without substituting their own judgment for that of the panel
Scientific Review Panel member responsibilities
Each Scientific Review Panel member will be expected to:
- review up to 10 full applications
- focus primarily on the proposed research methodology, while reviewing other sections as needed for context
- assess the scientific merit
- identify any significant methodological weaknesses or scientific risks
- participate actively in a structured panel discussion
- contribute to a panel conclusion for each application
- attend the full virtual panel meeting
Panel members are not required to submit preliminary scores or written assessments before the review meeting. Optional templates will be provided for personal review notes.
Panel chair responsibilities
In addition to the panel member responsibilities, the panel chair will facilitate the review meeting and will:
- be familiar with the purpose, assessment categories, and discussion process
- facilitate an impartial, focused, and efficient discussion of each application
- ensure that all panel members have an appropriate opportunity to contribute
- manage differing perspectives respectfully
- keep discussions within the scheduled time
- guide the panel toward a clear conclusion for each application, including by casting the deciding vote in the event of disagreement between the two other panelists
The chair must be comfortable facilitating discussions among senior researchers about technical and scientific matters.
Schedule and time commitment
Applicants must be available for the following schedule:
| Application materials released to panel members | Friday, September 18, 2026 |
| Virtual Scientific Review Panel meeting | Thursday, September 24, 2026 12:00–3:00 p.m. ADT Held virtually through Zoom |
Before application access is provided, selected participants will also be required to:
- sign the required confidentiality documentation
- review the names and affiliations of application team members
- identify and disclose any conflicts of interest related to each application
- review written orientation materials and a pre-recorded webinar
- establish or confirm access to Jura (the online RNS grant application management system)
Panel members should anticipate approximately two hours of review time per application. They should also allow approximately one additional hour for administrative requirements and orientation, as well as three hours for the virtual panel meeting. Assuming 10 applications reviewed, the total estimated commitment is approximately 24 hours.
Applicants should apply only if they can accommodate the complete review schedule.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
Applicants must not be a named applicant, team member, partner, collaborator, advisor, or other participant on any application under consideration.
Before appointments are finalized, shortlisted applicants will be provided with the names and organizational affiliations of all application team members and will be required to complete an application-specific conflict of interest self-assessment.
A conflict of interest may exist where, within the past five years, an applicant has had any of the following relationships with a named member of an application team:
- collaborated on research or co-authored a publication or other research output
- held or shared research funding
- supervised, trained, or been supervised or trained by the individual
- worked in the same immediate department or organizational unit
- had a direct reporting relationship
- had a significant financial, commercial, or professional relationship
- had a close personal relationship
- been involved in an active dispute
- had any other relationship, interest, or circumstance that could reasonably be perceived as affecting their impartiality
Current collaborations with Nova Scotia organizations or researchers must also be disclosed.
A conflict of interest with one application will not necessarily preclude appointment. However, panel members must be able to review the majority of applications assigned to the panel. RNS will determine whether a conflict of interest exists and how it will be managed.
HonorariUM
Scientific Review Panel members who fulfill all panel responsibilities will receive an honorarium of $500.
Payment will be made directly to panel members and may be considered taxable income. Recipients are responsible for determining whether their employer or institution has policies governing the acceptance of the honoraria.
How to apply
Applications open on August 6, 2026, and will normally close on August 28, 2026. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and Research Nova Scotia may appoint panel members and close the call early once the panel and reserve list have been established.
To apply, complete the online application form and upload a current curriculum vitae (CV).
You may also include an ORCID, institutional profile, Google Scholar profile, or another professional profile.
With your consent, RNS may retain your application information for up to two years and contact you about future scientific review opportunities.
Questions?
Questions about this opportunity or the application process may be directed to:
Email: apply@researchns.ca
Phone: 902.200.8555
For complete information about the opportunity, including eligibility requirements, panel responsibilities, the review schedule, and conflict-of-interest requirements, please review the full call: