Join the FOREST Joint Call International Expert Panel
The FOREST Joint Call 2026 is seeking independent experts to support the evaluation of research and innovation proposals. Invited are researchers, practitioners and other stakeholders with recognised expertise in the Joint Call topic areas and objectives, including interdisciplinary and cross-sectoral research, innovation and practice.
As members of the International Expert Panel, experts will individually assess proposals, contribute to consensus discussions, and support the development of final ranking lists for funding recommendations.
The FOREST Joint Call will be launched as a two-stage call in September 2026. We warmly welcome expressions of interest from qualified experts wishing to contribute to a high-quality, transparent and impactful evaluation process.
Please note that registration as an expert does not automatically guarantee participation in the evaluation process. Prior to the evaluation, all selected experts will undergo a formal conflict-of-interest assessment and will be required to sign confidentiality and conflict-of-interest declarations.
Register here: https://ec.europa.eu/eusurvey/runner/callforexpertsFP
Conflict of Interest (CoI) Policy for Experts
A Conflict of Interest (CoI) exists when an individual’s personal, financial, professional, or other interests could interfere, or be perceived to interfere, with the impartial and objective performance of their duties.
Experts must declare any actual or potential CoI related to the proposals they evaluate. Any situation that may reasonably compromise impartiality must be disclosed.
Situations Considered as CoI
The following are considered Conflicts of Interest:
- Involvement in the preparation of any proposal submitted to the call.
- Leadership, governance, or management role in an applicant organisation.
- Employment or contractual relationship with an applicant organisation within the last 3 years (for large organisations, this applies at department level or equivalent).
- Close personal relationships with applicants or individuals benefiting from the proposal outcome, including family or similarly close ties.
- Close scientific or professional collaboration with an applicant within the last 3 years, such as: co-authorship or joint publications,
- working in the same research group,
- supervisory or subordinate relationships,
- mentor–mentee relationships,
- professional rivalry or hostility.
- Membership in advisory boards or similar bodies of the applicant’s institution.
- Any direct or indirect personal or financial benefit from the acceptance or rejection of a proposal.
Measures to Avoid CoI
Members of the International Expert Panel (IEP):
- Must not submit applications to the call.
- Must act independently and in a personal capacity.
- Must complete a CoI declaration before accessing proposals.
- Will receive a list of participating institutions in advance and must declare any relevant CoI.
- Must confirm the absence of CoI for each assigned proposal via the evaluation system.
- Must immediately report any newly identified CoI and stop the evaluation of the affected proposal.
- Must not participate in evaluation or discussion of proposals where a CoI exists and must withdraw from related discussions when required.