In preparation for the Performance-Based Research Fund (PBRF) Quality Evaluation 2026, the TEC is seeking nominations for Panel Co-Chairs and initial Panel Members. The peer review panel roles and nominations process reflect the recommendations of the Sector Reference Group (SRG) on changes to the membership criteria and working practices. Find a summary of the decisions and the sector feedback received here.

The Co-Chairs will work closely with the TEC and the Moderation Team to appoint initial Panel Members and will be responsible for drafting Panel-Specific Guidance. They will also work with the Moderator Team and the TEC to help finalise the Quality Evaluation Guidelines. In 2026, they will convene the final peer review panel and oversee the assessment process.

The Co-Chairs for Quality Evaluation 2026 will include a Co-Chair and a Co-Chair – Māori. Their roles will run from early 2023 to early 2027, when we publish the results of the Quality Evaluation.

Initial Panel Members’ roles will also run from early 2023 to early 2027. They will contribute to the development of the Panel-Specific Guidelines, conduct individual assessments of Evidence Portfolios, and participate in the peer review panel meetings.  

Read more about the PBRF Quality Evaluation 2026 Co-Chair and initial Panel Member roles and appointment process here.

Any person seeking to be appointed to a panel either as a Panel Co-Chair or Panel Member must be nominated by another person who must submit the online nomination form.

Please complete nomination forms by 5pm on 13 December 2022, by following this link.

About the PBRF

The Performance-Based Research Fund (PBRF) ensures that excellent research in the tertiary education sector is encouraged and rewarded. This means assessing the research performance of tertiary education organisations (TEOs) and then funding them on the basis of their performance.

The PBRF Quality Evaluation is an assessment of the research performance of staff at eligible TEOs. TEOs present their staff members' research in Evidence Portfolios which are assessed for quality by expert peer review panels. The results set the allocations for 55 percent of the $315-million-a-year fund.

The Quality Evaluation is held periodically. There have been four previous Quality Evaluation rounds – in 2003, 2006, 2012 and 2018. The next will be held in 2026.