NIH gives chartered reviewers new flexibility on application deadlines

NIH gives chartered reviewers new flexibility on application deadlines

NIH recently increased the incentives for scientists to serve as chartered or “permanent” members on its peer review groups. These researchers, who typically serve four years reviewing NIH grant applications, will now have more flexibility in submitting their own grant applications.

A recent NIH Guide Notice at http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-08-026.html explains a new policy that gives these reviewers the option to submit—as soon as they are developed—R01, R21 or R34 applications that would normally be submitted for standard submission dates. Chartered members are strongly encouraged to add a cover letter to their applications requesting this option. This new policy was developed to better compensate chartered reviewers, who can be disadvantaged by deadlines that force them to develop their own applications during the same period they are preparing for study section meetings.

These reviewers may still request a review by a standing study section other than their own. However, in this case, they must submit their applications on time for the established deadlines. A second NIH Guide Notice at http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-08-027.html explains that current “windows” for reviewers to submit many of these applications late will remain available.

The new option for continuous submission will be carefully evaluated to see whether eligibility should be extended. The NIH Guide Notice provides details on this new practice.

Source: Email CSR News Flash received January 6, 2008.