We are looking for external experts with diverse fields of expertise in order to ensure a fair, high-quality evaluation of applications submitted under the Financial Support to Third Parties (FSTP) mechanism of our STREAMING project.

The project’s objective is to drive EU-African trade by food-chain innovations, foster connections between basic research and practical implementation, promote sustainable food systems, and inform trade policies with an emphasis on innovation, entrepreneurship and resilience.

Below are the details of what we are looking for as well as the legal, procedural and ethical conditions possible applicants must satisfy under general Horizon-Europe/FSTP rules issued by the EC.

What are we looking for?

We seek external evaluators with expertise matching one or more of our thematic areas:

• Food-value chains, agro-food systems, sustainable agriculture/trade between Europe and Africa;
• Innovation management, technology transfer, entrepreneurship within the food-chain / bio-economy sector;
• EU-funded research and innovation (especially Horizon Europe) including experience with FSTP;
• Analytical and writing skills in English; ability to deliver fair, clear, constructive evaluation reports.

Ideal candidates will furthermore have:

• A strong track record in research, innovation, or project evaluation in relevant domains;
• Availability over the evaluation period (dates to be confirmed, but evaluators should be able to commit to reviewing proposals, possibly participating in virtual panel meetings etc.);
• Independence from any of the proposals they will evaluate (see below on conflict of interest).

Legal, ethical and procedural requirements

In order to be appointed, evaluators must comply with the following:

1. Conflict of Interest (CoI)

• Evaluators must declare that they have no conflict of interest with respect to the proposals they evaluate. This includes, but is not limited to: being involved in writing any of the proposals; being employed by or contracted by any applicant in an Open Call (applies to both the Knowledge Transfer as well as the Innovation Transfer Open Call); having close personal or professional relationships with applicants; having direct or indirect financial interest in any proposal.
• If a potential conflict arises during the evaluation process, it must be disclosed immediately, and the evaluator may be withdrawn from assessing the relevant proposal.

2. Confidentiality

• Evaluators will sign a confidentiality/non‑disclosure agreement (NDA) or equivalent document, committing to keep all information in the proposals and the evaluation process strictly confidential.
• They may not share proposals, their contents, or evaluation results with any third party, except as required in consensus groups or authorized panels.

3. Code of Conduct/Declaration of Honour

• Evaluators must agree to and sign a Code of Conduct or equivalent declaration, specifying impartiality, fairness, professional behaviour, non‑discrimination, etc. as well as a formal Declaration of Honour regarding conflicts of interest, truthfulness of submitted information (e.g. CV, expertise).

4. Eligibility under EU/HEU/FSTP

• Evaluators must typically be from EU Member States or Horizon Europe associated countries (or otherwise acceptable under the Project’s rules).
• They must not be subject to EU exclusion or sanctions (e.g. administrative sanction, debarment).
• They must be legally able to sign a contract (or service agreement) to perform evaluation work, accept payment terms, provide required documentation (e.g. CV, bank details), and comply with relevant data protection laws (e.g. GDPR).

5. Remuneration/Contract

• There will be a contract or Terms of Reference defining tasks, deadlines, payment for evaluation services, etc.
• Evaluators must commit to the deadlines and availability required.

6. Data Protection and Privacy

• Personal data submitted by evaluators (CVs, contact information, evaluation reports) will be handled under EU data protection rules (e.g. GDPR).
• Evaluators should consent to the processing of their personal data for purposes of managing the evaluation process.

What to do if you know someone:

By joining the STREAMING evaluation team, you will contribute to driving sustainable innovations across Europe and Africa, support trans-continental food trade improvements, and engage with an international network of food-chain, innovation and policy experts. Interested experts are invited to submit:

• A full CV indicating relevant experience;
• Specification of which thematic area(s) you’re an expert in;
• Statement confirming availability during the evaluation period;
• Confirmation/brief statement that you agree to the CoI, confidentiality, code of conduct, etc.

It would be greatly appreciated if expressions of interest reach us no later than, 31st December 2025.

Applications should be sent to [email protected] 

In case of any administrative issues, applicants are asked to either contact the STREAMING coordinators office at University of Applied Sciences Weihenstephan-Triesdorf (HSWT) or the project management partner Bavarian Research Alliance (BayFOR) under the contact details displayed down below:

Coordinators Office of STREAMING for submissions and inquiries:

Hochschule Weihenstephan Triesdorf – University of Applied Sciences

Institute for Food Technology / Food Startup Incubator Weihenstephan (FSIWS)

Contact: Marlies Resch (Project Coordinators Office)

Phone: +49 8161 71-5237

E-Mail: [email protected]

Address: Am Staudengarten 11, 85354 Freising,

Project Management Partner STREAMING for administrative issues:

Bayerische Forschungsallianz – Bavarian Research Alliance

Unit Project Management

Contact: Elias Krikonas

Phone: +49 89 9901 888-176

E-Mail: [email protected]

Address: Prinzregentenstraße 52, 80538 Munich