NIH releases timeline for implementing major changes in peer review

NIH releases timeline for implementing major changes in peer review

The National Institutes of Health recently released a timeline for implementing enhancements to the peer review system, based on a year-long intensive review that started in June 2007. The first key changes include reducing the number of pages allowed for the research plan, funding more meritorious grants sooner thereby reducing the number of resubmissions, and increasing flexibility for reviewers.

The preliminary implementation plans for the 2009 and 2010 calendar years are as follows. Highly significant changes have been put in red type.

Priority Area 1 – Engage the Best Reviewers

Improve Reviewer Retention. In 2009, new reviewers will have additional flexibility regarding their tour of duty; other efforts will be undertaken to improve retention of standing review members.
Recruit the Best Reviewers. A toolkit incorporating best practices for recruiting reviewers will be made available to all Institutes and Centers (ICs) in 2009.
Enhance Reviewer Training. In spring 2009, reviewers and Scientific Review Officers (SROs) will receive training related to the changes in peer review.
Allow Flexibility through Virtual Reviews. Pilots will be conducted in 2009 to evaluate the feasibility of high-bandwidth support for review meetings to provide reviewers greater flexibility and alternatives for in-person meetings.

Priority Area 2 – Improve the Quality and Transparency of Review

Improve Scoring Transparency and Scale. Review criteria-based scoring on 7-point scale will start in May 2009. Reviewers will provide feedback through scores and critiques for each criterion in a structured summary statement.
Provide Scores for Streamlined Applications. In 2009, streamlined applications will receive a preliminary score.
Shorten and Restructure Applications: Shorter (12-page research plan) R01 applications (with other activity codes scaled appropriately) will be restructured to align with review criteria for January 2010 receipt dates.

Priority Area 3 – Ensure Balanced and Fair Reviews across Scientific Fields and Career Stages, and Reduce Administrative Burden

Fund the Best Science Earlier and Reduce Need for Resubmissions. To ensure that the largest number of high quality and meritorious applications receive funding earlier and to improve system efficiency, NIH is considering separate percentiling of new and resubmitted applications and permitting one amended application.
Review Like Applications Together. NIH is establishing an Early Stage Investigator (ESI) designation. In 2009, NIH will evaluate clustering ESI applications for review. The same approach will be considered for clinical research applications.

Source: OER Extramural Nexus, August 2008.