Project Peer Review Panel (PPRP) - Terms of Reference

For all new major projects and project technology development projects which have been approved for PPRP review and which have a capital phase cost of 0.5M or more, the panel will provide advice to the STFC Executives, the PAL and the PPAN on the following:

• the quality of the science and technology involved in the proposal and the stated scientific and technical objectives and consider whether the proposal is likely to achieve those objectives;
• the science return for investment and how well the project fits with the Council strategy;
• the likely global and UK scientific impact of the project and at what level it is supported by its relevant scientific community;
• the timeliness of the project and competition to the project;
• the scientific, technical, schedule and financial risks and make recommendations for the management of risk;
• any milestones against which the project should be monitored and raise any possible future issues for the relevant science committee and Oversight Committee;
• the standing of the groups and collaborators who are involved in the project; including the proponent's track record, the level of UK involvement in the project and the management structure and procedures required to ensure that the stated project goals are achieved;
• how well the project is connected to industry and the science and society plan for disseminating the project to the public;
• the staff and capital costs required for R&D and construction to complete the project to the proposed specification and if appropriate provide different project cost scenarios and their implications to the project.

In addition, the PPRP will advise the STFC Executive and the committees, where requested, on the merit of;

• new technology research projects in particle physics and particle astrophysics with a capital cost of less than £0.5M
• upgrades with a cost of less than 0.5M to approved particle physics and particle astrophysics projects