The evaluation will be based on the following criteria [maximum score 100 points]:

1. Originality: Understood as the extent to which the thesis makes an important and innovative contribution to understanding and knowledge within the respective theme [max. score: 20]

2. Academic excellence: The panellists will expect to see evidence of, or the potential for, some of the following types of characteristics across and possibly beyond the thesis theme/area:
   • Agenda-setting, a formative influence on the intellectual agenda
   • Research that is leading or at the forefront of the research (high-impact journals)
   • Great novelty in developing new thinking, new techniques or novel results
   • Major influence on a research theme or area
   • Developing new paradigms or fundamental new concepts for research
   • Research that has been acknowledged by peers through scientific publications [max. score: 30]

3. Significance: Understood as the extent to which the work has influenced, or has the capacity to influence, knowledge and scholarly thought or the development and understanding of policy and/or practice [max. score: 15]

4. Societal impact: understood as including, but not limited to, an effect on, change or benefit to:

• the activity, attitude, awareness, behaviour, capacity, opportunity, performance, policy, practice, process or understanding
• of an audience, beneficiary, community, constituency, organisation, industry or individuals
• in any geographic location, whether locally, regionally, nationally or internationally
  • Societal impact includes the reduction or prevention of risk, cost or other negative effects
  • Major changes in policy or practice
  • Major influence on processes, production and management
  • Major influence on user engagement
  • A primary or essential point of reference of profound influence [max. score: 15]

5. Clarity and quality of presentation: Understood as the extent to which the text is reader friendly, the argumentation is solid and comprehensible, and there is a clear logical thread [max. score: 10]

6. Industrial involvement bonus: PhD projects funded by an industrial partner are eligible for a bonus of 5 points to be added to the average score of the panellists. The thesis supervisor should certify this condition with their letter of recommendation [industrial bonus: 5]

7. Joint degree bonus: PhD projects offered by more than one university or involving a more than 3-month external stay in another European maritime technology university are eligible for a bonus of 5 points to be added to the average score of the panellists. The thesis supervisor should certify this condition with their letter of recommendation [collaboration bonus: 5]