Processing notice for Elsevier funding solutions for funders
Last updated: 8 September 2022
1 About this processing notice
This processing notice applies to the personal information processed in Elsevier funding solutions (“Service”) provided to funding customers (“Funders”). Elsevier B.V. (“Elsevier”) is the controller of personal information provided to, or collected by or for, the Service.
2 Purposes for processing
Elsevier processes personal information of individuals involved in research to help Funders develop their funding strategies and improve their grant allocations, workflows, and other funding mechanisms to comply with their legal obligations, effectively manage their risks, make informed decisions, run themselves in an ethical manner, and ensure value for the invested funds.
2.1 Find scientific experts
Elsevier processes researcher personal information to help Funders to, for example:
locate and approach researchers who might match funding opportunities;
expand understanding of who is active in specific research areas;
find and rank expert reviewers to assist in the evaluation of grant applications; and
flag potential conflicts of interest between prospective reviewers and grant applicants.
2.2 Evaluate grant applications
Elsevier processes grant applicant personal information to help Funders to, for example:
identify publication histories of grant applicants;
identify funding histories of grant applicants;
increase their diversity, equity, and inclusion outcomes; and
check for potential conflicts of interests and other relevant conflicts.
2.3 Conduct portfolio analysis
Elsevier processes Scopus author profiles and grant information to help Funders with their analysis and benchmarking of their grant programs.
3 Personal information processed
Elsevier processes personal information of individuals involved in research. This personal information may include:
name and professional contact details;
history of affiliated institutions;
employment and education details;
media mentions;
publishing history;
patent filings; and
grant award history.
The personal information is sourced from grant awards, public records, such as patent filings, and publicly available information, such as scholarly works and news stories. This information is obtained through Elsevier’s publication process or obtained from third-party sources like publishers, funders, preprint servers, news services, patent offices, public repositories, and other data providers.
4 Use of personal information
Elsevier uses personal information to provide the Service to Funders. Funders make their own decisions as to how to use the personal information provided by the Service, including whether to award a grant. Elsevier does not make any decisions about an individual. Funders’ privacy policies and other notices will describe how they use personal information.
5 Grounds for processing
Personal information is processed for Elsevier and/or Funders where necessary for:
compliance with a legal obligation;
performance of a task carried out in the public interest; and/or
purposes of the legitimate interests described above.
Where Elsevier relies on legitimate interests to process personal information, the individuals to whom the personal information relates have the right to object.
6 Information recipients
Elsevier shares personal information:
with Funders, service providers, and other processors;
where we have a good faith belief that such disclosure is necessary to:
meet any applicable law, regulation, legal process or other legal obligation;
detect, investigate and help prevent security, fraud or technical issues; and/or
protect the rights, property or safety of Elsevier, our users, employees or others; and
as part of a corporate transaction, such as a transfer of assets or an acquisition by or merger with another company.
7 Locations of processing
Personal information may be stored and processed in the region or country where Elsevier companies and their service providers maintain servers and facilities, including Ireland, the Netherlands, the Philippines, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Elsevier takes steps, including through contracts, to ensure that the information continues to be protected wherever it is located in a manner consistent with the standards of protection required under applicable law.
8 Your rights
You have the right under certain privacy and data protection laws, as may be applicable, to request free of charge:
access to and correction and deletion of your personal information;
restriction of the processing of your personal information, or to object to the processing; and/or
portability of your personal information.
If you wish to exercise any of these rights, please contact us through the Elsevier Privacy Support Hub S’ouvre dans une nouvelle fenêtre. Elsevier will respond to your request consistent with applicable laws. To protect your privacy and security, Elsevier may require you to verify your identity. You may designate an authorized agent to make a request on your behalf subject to proof of identity and authorization.
9 Data retention
Elsevier retains personal information for only as long as necessary to provide the Service and fulfil the transactions Funders have requested, or for other essential purposes such as complying with legal obligations, maintaining business and financial records, resolving disputes, maintaining security, detecting and preventing fraud and abuse, and enforcing agreements.
10 Changes
Elsevier will update this processing notice from time to time. Any changes will be posted on this page with an updated revision date.
11 Contact
For any questions, comments, complaints, or requests regarding this processing notice, please contact the Elsevier Data Protection Officer via the Elsevier Privacy Support Hub S’ouvre dans une nouvelle fenêtre.
You also may lodge a complaint with the data protection authority in the applicable jurisdiction.