Peer Review Process of NIH Grants

Sooja K. Kim

Center for Scientific Review,  NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892-7892

Almost all of the investigator initiated research and fellowship grant applications that are submitted to National Institutes of Health (NIH) are initially reviewed for scientific merit at the Center for Scientific Review (CSR). In FY 2005, approximately $24 billion in Federal grants and contracts will be awarded to public and private institutions through the peer review process. Yet to many of the scientists who vitally depend on the functions performed at NIH, the process of peer review of the NIH research grants is a “black box.� There are continuous changes occurring within the application forms, the peer review process, and the management of the grants opportunities. The purpose of this presentation is to provide the scientific community with information concerning the rapidly changing peer review system as well as the new technological tools that are currently being incorporated into the aspects of the peer review of NIH grants. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn about: how to understand the peer review process; how to tap into the plethora of informational on development of grantsmanship skills and direct their applications to the best possible venue for initial review; how Scientific Review Administrators (SRA) manage the review process and select reviewers; and how scientific peer review is carried out at NIH.