Guideline and White Paper Published / New Regulations Will Apply From 16 April 2026

In December 2025, the decision was made by the Joint Committee of the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation) to permit the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the review process subject to clearly defined conditions (see Information for Researchers No. 102(interner Link), in German only). The previously announced Guideline on the Use of Artificial Intelligence in the Review Process(interner Link) has now been published. It is accompanied by the white paper Artificial Intelligence in the Review Process – DFG Position and Perspectives(externer Link). 

Guideline on the Use of Artificial Intelligence in the Review Process

The guideline allows the use of AI systems in the review process exclusively in a supporting role, linking such use to four central principles: confidentiality, transparency, quality assurance and responsibility. The obligation to maintain confidentiality means that proposal content may only be processed in systems that guarantee secure and purpose-specific use. The principle of transparency requires reviewers to disclose the use of AI. Quality assurance requires the critical review of all AI-generated content. Responsibility for the content of the review remains fully with the reviewer.

White Paper on the Use of Artificial Intelligence in the Review Process: DFG Position and Perspectives

The white paper explains how the DFG regards the issue of AI in peer review from both a subject-specific and a legal perspective, while also making reference to the principles of research integrity. It describes how the DFG’s position on this issue developed over several years, particularly within the Senate Ad Hoc Working Group on the Digital Turn: from the initially restrictive position adopted by the DFG Executive Committee in 2023 through to the decision taken by the Joint Committee in December last year. The white paper sets out the reasons for the current regulatory and enabling framework governing the use of AI in the review process, in particular describing the technical and epistemic challenges that the use of generative AI involves, issues of bias (including automation bias) and verifiability, and also the legal framework (including the AI Act, data protection and copyright law), as well as the opportunities offered by responsibly regulated use of AI in terms of improving the efficiency, structuring and transparency of the review process.

In addition, the white paper explains the basis of the four principles set out in the guideline and shows how they fit in with the DFG Code of Conduct “Guidelines for Safeguarding Good Research Practice”. 

New Regulations Applicable as of 16 April 2026

When the guideline enters into force on 16 April 2026, there will also be technical adjustments to the elan portal (the DFG’s proposal processing system). From 16 April 2026 onwards, when elan users log in for the first time, they will be required to actively consent to observing the guideline and meeting other legal conditions in the event of AI use. In addition, elan users will have to provide one-off confirmation of a declaration granting the necessary rights to the use of proposal content, thereby ensuring legally secure processing – including permissible processing in AI systems in accordance with the guideline.

Furthermore, when submitting their review in the elan portal, reviewers will in future be required to indicate whether they used an AI system when preparing the review. This disclosure serves to ensure verifiability in the subsequent evaluation and decision-making process.

Further Information 

The guideline, the white paper (DOI 10.5281/zenodo.18886256) and additional information are available at: www.dfg.de/ai(interner Link)

Further information will be provided at an online event to be held from 10:30 to 12:00 on 22 April 2026. Login data will be made available via www.dfg.de/ai(interner Link).

Contact Persons at the DFG Head Office

Matthias Katerbow, Scientific Library Services and Information Systems, Tel. +49 228 885-2358 

Michael Lentze, Mathematics and Engineering Sciences 2, Tel. +49 228 885-2449 

Martin Steinberger, Research Culture, Tel. +49 228 885-3204

If you have any queries, please contact the DFG Head Office at KI@dfg.de(externer Link).