Once the policy, the scope and the specific areas for research have been defined, the Commission`s role continues. It must timetable calls and start to assess incoming submissions. All eligible proposals must be evaluated, which influences when calls can be issued for practical reasons. Three or more experts from the Commission`s database of experts are chosen to evaluate each proposal. Each proposal is considered on its merits, and awarded marks out of five for a series of criteria, like relevance to work programme, quality of science, likely impact of project, management of the project and resources. Next, panels of 10 or more evaluators perform quality control and rank the proposals in order. An Evaluation Summary Report, made by the experts for the Commission, with a list of proposals in the priority order suggested by the experts is prepared for each proposal. These contain technical comments and criticisms and suggestions for improving the project; these are sent back to the proposers before any decisions are made, regardless of whether the proposal wins funding, and it neither constitutes an offer nor a rejection. The evaluations are presented to the Programme Committee, along with observers` reports and statistical breakdowns. Two lists are presented: approved projects in ranked order; and projects rejected because they were either ineligible or below the minimum thresholds. The Commission will then open negotiations with the best fit projects, When the Commission is ready to sign, the results of these negotiations are presented to the Programme Committee, which gives a formal opinion. Once the contracts are signed, projects usually report back annually with a progress report and cost statements.

For further information, go to the FP7 website at http://cordis.europa.eu/fp7/