Research Funders Struggle With AI Peer Reviews
The surge in AI-generated grant submissions challenges the integrity of traditional research evaluation processes.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Artificial Intelligence
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Major European funding agencies are facing increased difficulties in policing peer reviews that appear to be AI-generated. This trend complicates the evaluation process as grant application volumes continue to rise significantly.
Why it matters
The rise of AI in academic and research submissions threatens the reliability of peer reviews and the integrity of scientific funding. Funders are actively seeking methods to maintain human oversight to ensure that grant proposals receive fair and authentic scrutiny.
Major European funders observed a 57 percent increase in grant applications from 2022 to 2025 across 12 institutions. While some agencies utilize AI for tasks like grammar correction, substantive evaluation still relies on human-led site visits.
The players
Research Ireland
This is a public body responsible for funding research, science, and innovation in Ireland.
European Investment Bank
This is the lending arm of the European Union, which supports capital investment projects.
European University Association
This organization represents over 800 universities and national rectors' conferences in 49 European countries.
The details
Research Ireland has reported receiving peer reviews that show signs of AI generation, prompting the agency to develop a dedicated AI policy and governance community. Meanwhile, the European Investment Bank mandates in-person project site visits to ensure proposals are evaluated by human staff rather than automated systems.
Timeline
2022: Baseline year for grant application volumes.
2025: Year when grant application volumes were 57 percent higher than in 2022.
October 15, 2026: European University Association Funding Forum held in Brno.
The Tech Race
This challenge follows the pattern set by the 57 percent increase in grant applications across 12 European funders from 2022 to 2025. It illustrates how institutions are racing to integrate safeguards against automated systems into legacy research evaluation frameworks.
Researchers and grant applicants may face more rigorous human-led verification processes and new AI compliance policies when submitting proposals. These shifts are intended to protect the value of academic degrees and ensure that funding is distributed based on authentic work.
The takeaway
The integrity of scientific research depends on the human ability to verify the authenticity of peer reviews in an era of automated content. Institutions must balance the efficiency of new AI tools with strict oversight to maintain trust in academic systems.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest developments in Artificial Intelligence impacting global industries.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Research Professional News.
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