MERIT is an iterative policy implementation project that aims to incentivize robust research mechanism by introducing indicators for robust and transparent research mechanisms (‚QUEST criteria‘) together with Good Evaluation Practice Guidelines as additional, structured assessment criteria into the institutional incentive system at the BIH/Charité. Since February 2018 the new, additional criteria are piloted in several institutional funding schemes. The following paper reports on the status quo of robustness and transparency mechanisms as outlined by the researchers in their project proposals submitted for funding before the introduction of the Good Evaluation Practice Guidelines.