Waiver Eligibility

Eligibility requirements for a waiver of the Open Horizon Scientific Review (OHSR) process vary depending on the funding agency, but generally include:

• Demonstrating that the proposed research is of exceptional merit and has the potential to make a significant contribution to the field.
• Explaining why the proposed research cannot be accommodated within the existing OHSR process.
• Providing a detailed plan for how the research will be conducted and reviewed in a timely and rigorous manner.

In some cases, funding agencies may also grant waivers to researchers who are facing unique challenges, such as a tight deadline or the need to conduct research in a sensitive or confidential setting.

Here are some specific examples of waiver eligibility criteria from different funding agencies:

• National Institutes of Health (NIH): The NIH OHSR waiver process is designed to allow for the rapid review of research proposals that address urgent public health needs. To be eligible for a waiver, researchers must demonstrate that their proposed research is of exceptional merit and has the potential to make a significant contribution to the field. They must also explain why the proposed research cannot be accommodated within the existing OHSR process, and provide a detailed plan for how the research will be conducted and reviewed in a timely and rigorous manner.
• National Science Foundation (NSF): The NSF OHSR waiver process is designed to allow for the rapid review of research proposals that are highly innovative or that address emerging research areas. To be eligible for a waiver, researchers must demonstrate that their proposed research is of exceptional merit and has the potential to make a significant contribution to the field. They must also explain why the proposed research cannot be accommodated within the existing OHSR process, and provide a detailed plan for how the research will be conducted and reviewed in a timely and rigorous manner.
• Department of Defense (DoD): The DoD OHSR waiver process is designed to allow for the rapid review of research proposals that are related to national security. To be eligible for a waiver, researchers must demonstrate that their proposed research is of exceptional merit and has the potential to make a significant contribution to national security. They must also explain why the proposed research cannot be accommodated within the existing OHSR process, and provide a detailed plan for how the research will be conducted and reviewed in a timely and rigorous manner.