Insider’s Guide to NIH Peer Review for Reviewers

Richard Kitsis, M.D. Former Chair CSR’s Myocardial Ischemia and Metabolism Study Section

Collective Wisdom from CSR Study Section Chairs

Staying Grounded

When you review NIH grant applications:

• Your goal is to perform thorough and fair evaluations of their scientific and technical merit

• Your focus should be on overall impact: Will the research have a sustained, powerful effect on the research field involved?

Getting Started

• Don’t be overwhelmed by the number of applications.

• Get started right away to see if you have a conflict with an application.

• Remember you are not alone and you were asked to review because of your expertise.

Writing Your Reviews

• Don’t mince words but don’t be too critical.

• Focus on the strengths and weaknesses that matter.

Writing Your Reviews

• Don’t just express your opinions. Explain them.

• Don’t try to rewrite an application.

Scoring Applications

• Score the application, not your discipline.

• Keep your reviews and scores in sync.

Participating in the Meeting

• Don’t rehash.

• Talk about what matters.

• Paint a big and balanced picture.

Participating in the Review Meeting

• Don’t be unsettled if someone disagrees with you.

• Listen and be open to changing your mind.

Enjoying the Experience

• Meet new friends and colleagues.

• Learn new and cool things about related fields.

• Know you’re going to be a better application writer.

Insider’s Guide to NIH Peer Review for Reviewers

www.csr.nih.gov/reviewerguide

More Information

http://internet.csr.nih.gov/reviewerorientation/