All proposals are independently reviewed by outside technical experts. Through generous donations of time and expertise, these reviewers provide valuable insight on proposed projects and help shape the work of project teams. Reviewers offer suggestions to improve and strengthen a proposed plan of work. They also offer the Fund insights as to the ecological importance of the work proposed, the risks embedded in potential projects, the challenges teams might face, and ways the Fund can help teams overcome those challenges.

Typically, the Fund seeks three reviewers for each proposal. Each reviewer brings sophisticated, deep expertise in at least one of the areas in which the project is working. A panel might include scientists, lawyers, policy experts, business leaders, engineers, or regulators. While reviewers often have different areas of expertise, they review, and where possible suggest improvements to, all aspects of the proposed work including:

• the impact the work is likely to have on the health of the Great Lakes,
• the technical and scientific adequacy of the proposed work,
• the ability of the project team to work at the scale required to impact the basin ecosystem, and
• the likelihood that the proposed plan of work will lead to the expected ecological results.

When the Fund’s Board of Directors makes funding decisions, they consider how well the prospective project teams have incorporated reviewers’ suggestions.

Reviewer’s names and affiliations are not disclosed to applicants. Similarly, reviewers are asked to hold their status as reviewer, their review itself, and their impressions of the proposal in confidence.

If you are interested in contributing to our technical review process, if you feel you have expertise that you are willing to share, or if you would like to know more about our review process, please contact us.