NIH announces the Simplified Framework for Peer Review

The mission of NIH is to seek fundamental knowledge about the nature and behavior of living systems and to apply that knowledge to enhance health, lengthen life, and reduce illness and disability. In support of this mission, Research Project Grant (RPG) applications to support biomedical and behavioral research are evaluated for scientific and technical merit through the NIH peer review system.

 

The Simplified Framework for NIH Peer Review initiative reorganizes the five regulatory criteria (Significance, Investigators, Innovation, Approach, Environment; 42 C.F.R. Part 52h.8) into three factors – two will receive numerical criterion scores and one will be evaluated for sufficiency. All three factors will be considered in determining the overall impact score. The reframing of the criteria serves to focus reviewers on three central questions they should be evaluating: 1) how important is the proposed research? 2) how rigorous and feasible are the methods? 3) do the investigators and institution have the expertise/resources necessary to carry out the project? 

 

•       Factor 1: Importance of the Research (Significance, Innovation), scored 1-9

•       Factor 2: Rigor and Feasibility (Approach), scored 1-9

•       Factor 3: Expertise and Resources (Investigator, Environment), to be evaluated with a selection from a drop-down menu

o            Appropriate (no written explanation needed)

o            Identify need for additional expertise and/or resources (requires reviewer to briefly address specific gaps in expertise or resources needed to carry out the project) 

 

Simplifying Review of Research Project Grant Applications

 

NIH Activity Codes Affected by the Simplified Review Framework.

R01, R03, R15, R16, R21, R33, R34, R36, R61, RC1, RC2, RC4, RF1, RL1, RL2, U01, U34, U3R, UA5, UC1, UC2, UC4, UF1, UG3, UH2, UH3, UH5, (including the following phased awards: R21/R33, UH2/UH3, UG3/UH3, R61/R33).

 

Changes Coming to NIH Applications and Peer Review in 2025

 

•       Simplified Review Framework for Most Research Project Grants (RPGs)

•       Revisions to the NIH Fellowship Application and Review Process

•       Updates to NRSA Training Grant Applications (under development)

•       Updated Application Forms and Instructions

•       Common Forms for Biographical Sketch and Current and Pending (Other) Support (coming soon)

 

Webinars, Notices, and Resources

Apr 17, 2024 - NIH Simplified Review Framework for Research Project Grants (RPG): Implementation and Impact on Funding Opportunities Webinar Recording & Resources

 

Nov 3, 2023 - NIH's Simplified Peer Review Framework for NIH Research Project Grant (RPG) Applications: for Applicants and Reviewers Webinar Recording & Resources

Oct 19, 2023 - Online Briefing on NIH’s Simplified Peer Review Framework for NIH Research Project Grant (RPG) Applications: for Applicants and Reviewers. See NOT-OD-24-010

 

Simplifying Review FAQs

 

 

 

Upcoming Webinars

Learn more and ask questions at the following upcoming webinars:

 

June 5, 2024: Webinar on Updates to NIH Training Grant Applications (registration open)

 

September 19, 2024: Webinar on Revisions to the Fellowship Application and Review Pro