New DFF assessment criteria and CV formats: what AGRO researchers need to know

The changes are part of DFF’s implementation of the international Coalition on Advancing Research Assessment (CoARA) agreement, which aims to improve how research quality and researchers are evaluated. Overall, the intention is to move away from narrow quantitative indicators and towards a more holistic and qualitative assessment of research and researchers.

A shift in how applications are assessed

One of the most important changes lies in the assessment criteria themselves. Traditionally, publication counts, publications in prestige journals and similar indicators have played a significant role in how researchers were assessed. While research outputs remain important, these indicators will no longer stand alone.

Under the revised criteria, greater emphasis is placed on the scientific quality and originality of the proposed research idea and project design. Reviewers are asked to focus on whether the research has the potential to create genuine value for the research field and the wider research community. At the same time, applicants’ qualifications are evaluated in relation to their career stage and context, rather than against uniform benchmarks.

For researchers at AGRO, this means that strong, well-argued research ideas and clear reflections on past contributions are expected to matter more than the sheer volume of publications or the perceived prestige of outlets.

A new narrative CV format

To support a broader assessment, DFF has introduced a new mandatory CV template for all PIs and co-PIs. The CV has a fixed structure and a maximum length of three pages.

The new format allows applicants to describe their career path and contributions in a more narrative way. In addition to education and employment history, the CV includes space to highlight research contributions, leadership and supervision experience, collaboration, grants, and contributions to the research environment and society more broadly.

For AGRO researchers, this is an opportunity to present qualifications and experience that are not always visible in a traditional academic CV. Examples include interdisciplinary work, collaboration with industry, advisory roles, or contributions to data infrastructure and open science practices, all of which are highly relevant in agricultural and environmental research.

From publication list to track record

Alongside the new CV, DFF has replaced the traditional publication list with a structured “track record”. This is also limited to a maximum of three pages and follows a fixed template.

Rather than submitting an exhaustive list of publications, applicants are asked to identify a limited number of key research contributions and briefly describe their significance and their own role in the work. This is combined with a more controlled overview of publications from recent years, without relying on composite metrics such as the h-index.

This change is intended to help reviewers better understand the substance and impact of a researcher’s work. For AGRO researchers working in applied, interdisciplinary or collaborative settings, the track record format makes it easier to explain contributions that may otherwise be overlooked when assessment is based mainly on publication counts.

Why these changes matter

DFF’s overall rationale is to encourage a fairer, more transparent and more inclusive assessment process. By recognising a broader range of research outputs and activities, the fund aims to ensure that different types of research talent have equal opportunities to compete for funding.

For researchers, the expected benefits include reduced pressure to prioritise quantity over quality, clearer alignment between what is valued in assessment and what is actually written in the application, and better opportunities to present achievements and potential in context.

At AGRO, where research often spans basic science, applied solutions and engagement with society, these changes may be particularly beneficial. They create more room to highlight long-term fieldwork, collaborative projects, contributions to sustainable practices, and impact beyond academia.

Preparing as an AGRO researcher

If you are planning to apply to DFF in the coming years, it is a good idea to familiarise yourself early with the new CV and track record templates and reflect on how best to present your contributions within them. This may involve prioritising a smaller number of key outputs and spending more time explaining their significance and your role, rather than compiling long lists.

Our Funding Team will continue to share guidance and support related to these changes. In the meantime, the key message is that strong ideas, clear narratives and well-contextualised contributions are now more important than ever in DFF applications.