diff --git a/neat/common.py b/neat/common.py
index 4ac3112..76b1261 100644
--- a/neat/common.py
+++ b/neat/common.py
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@ from neat.contracts_extra import *
 
 import os
 import time
+import json
 
 from neat.config import *
 from neat.db_utils import *
@@ -208,4 +209,16 @@ def call_function_by_name(name, args):
     return getattr(m, function)(*args)
 
 
+@contract
+def parse_parameters(params):
+    """ Parse algorithm parameters from the config file.
 
+    :param params: JSON encoded parameters.
+     :type params: str
+
+    :return: A dict of parameters.
+     :rtype: dict(str: *)
+    """
+    return dict((str(k), v) 
+                for k, v in json.loads(params).items())
+    
diff --git a/tests/test_common.py b/tests/test_common.py
index 8db7a21..0a1cfb2 100644
--- a/tests/test_common.py
+++ b/tests/test_common.py
@@ -138,3 +138,8 @@ class Common(TestCase):
             expect(common).func_to_call(arg1, arg2).and_return('res').once()
             assert common.call_function_by_name('neat.common.func_to_call',
                                                 [arg1, arg2]) == 'res'
+
+    def test_parse_parameters(self):
+        params = '{"param1": 0.56, "param2": "abc"}'
+        self.assertEqual(common.parse_parameters(params), {'param1': 0.56,
+                                                           'param2': 'abc'})