Latvian researchers have a unique opportunity to engage in the European Union's (EU) decision-making processes by participating as experts in the European Commission's (EC) expert database. The expert register is open to anyone wishing to contribute professionally, especially for evaluating funding applications and monitoring projects receiving EU funding. Among these experts is Latvian scientist Dr. sc. ing. Jānis Rižikovs.
"I encourage other researchers to join this team to gain valuable experience, learn from others' mistakes, and improve their skills. This is a great opportunity for any researcher to develop themselves and become a better professional," urges Jānis Rižikovs, an EC expert who works at the Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry.
As the researcher acknowledges, he was motivated to apply as an expert for EU project reviews by the institute's management. Participating in peer review gave J. Rižikovs confidence that he could write a project himself and improved his understanding of the differences between strong and weak applications: "I was motivated by the desire to be closer to the project evaluation processes, to gain a deeper understanding of how other projects are written and what the evaluators require."
Why Become an EC Expert:
1. Opportunity to Shape and Improve the European Research Environment
Researchers can participate in evaluating projects that promote scientific development across the European Union.
2. Extensive Professional Experience
Experts are offered the chance to assess applications in various fields, provide opinions on projects and contracts, participate in audits, ethical inspections, and many other tasks.
3. Competence Development and Collaboration
Engaging as an expert provides a broader perspective on different fields and fosters collaboration with colleagues in an international environment.
4. Financial Benefit
Experts are provided with a remuneration that can reach up to EUR 90,000 over a four-year period, as well as reimbursement for travel and accommodation expenses if in-person participation is required.
5. Support for Career Growth
Participation in the EC Expert Database serves as a high-level certification of professional competence, potentially opening doors to new career development opportunities.
The Commission has set up a register of Commission expert groups and other similar entities which provide it with advice and expertise in relation to:
- The preparation of legislative proposals and policy initiatives;
- The preparation of delegated acts;
- The implementation of Union legislation, programs and policies;
- Where necessary, the early preparation of implementing acts, before submission to the committee.
Applications are processed electronically throughout the year until 2027. To become an expert, candidates must register on the EC Funding and Tenders Portal, indicating their field of specialization. Applications are open to all eligible candidates. Additionally, there is an opportunity to regularly update profiles to expand the scope of contribution across various fields.
More information on applying to the Expert Database can be found on the EC website.