Demystifying NIH Peer Review: Your Application from Submission to Score

Wednesday, November 2, 2022

2:30 PM – 4:00 PM ET

Location: 238 CC

CE: 1.5

Chair(s)

Elia Ortenberg, PhD

Chief
Center for Scientific Review
National Institutes of Health
Bethesda, Maryland, United States

Slides Handouts

Discussant(s)

Karen Roberto, PhD, FGSA

University Distinguished Professor
Center for Gerontology
Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University
Blacksburg, Virginia, United States

Individual Symposium Abstract First Author(s)

Elia Ortenberg, PhD

Chief
Center for Scientific Review
National Institutes of Health
Bethesda, Maryland, United States

Slides Handouts
DP

Dana Plude, PhD

Deputy Director, Div of Behavioral and Social Research
Division of Behavioral and Social Research
National Institute on Aging/National Institutes of Health
Bethesda, Maryland, United States
Janetta Lun, PhD

Scientific Review Officer
Center for Scientific Review
National Institutes of Health
Bethesda, Maryland, United States
HG

Helena Gabor, PhD, MPH

Scientific Review Officer
Social & Community Influences across the Lifecourse (SCIL) Review Branch
Center for Scientific Review/National Institutes of Health
Bethesda, Maryland, United States

What happens to applications after they are submitted to the National Institutes of Health, and how can you better prepare for the process of peer review? The Center for Scientific Review (CSR) works closely with the 24 funding institutes and centers at the National Institutes of Health that provide funding support for projects of high scientific merit and high potential impact. CSR conducts the first level of review for the majority of grant applications submitted to the NIH, which includes 90% of R01s, 85% of Fellowships, and 95% of Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) applications as well as many other research and training opportunity activities. In this capacity, CSR helps to identify the most meritorious projects, cutting-edge research, and future scientists who will advance the mission of the NIH: to enhance health, lengthen life, and reduce illness and disability. The purpose of this symposium is to provide an overview of 1) what happens to NIH applications before, during, and after peer review at CSR; 2) new and current peer review policies and practices that impact application submission; and 3) strategies for developing a strong NIH grant application. Peer review is the cornerstone of the NIH grant supporting process, and demystifying the process can help attendees understand what’s inside the “Black Box” and the criteria used to identify the most meritorious applications.

Learning Objectives:

List the different types of NIH applications that support research and training and the strategies for preparing a stronger NIH grant application.
Gain an in-depth understanding of the peer review process after an application has been submitted to the NIH.
Understand the continually evolving landscape of new and current NIH policies that inform the review of NIH applications.

Presentations:

2:30 PM – 4:00 PM ET

After Review and Ways to Get Involved
Individual Symposium Abstract First Author: Elia K. Ortenberg, PhD – National Institutes of Health
2:30 PM – 4:00 PM ET

The Partnership Between the Center for Scientific Review and the NIH Institute
Individual Symposium Abstract First Author: Dana Plude, PhD – National Institute on Aging/National Institutes of Health
2:30 PM – 4:00 PM ET

The Study Section and the Role of the Scientific Review Officer
Individual Symposium Abstract First Author: Janetta Lun, PhD – National Institutes of Health
2:30 PM – 4:00 PM ET

Inside the Review Meeting
Individual Symposium Abstract First Author: Helena E. Gabor, PhD, MPH – Center for Scientific Review/National Institutes of Health