CSR’s primary role is to handle the receipt and review of all grant applications that NIH receives. NIH separates the review process from funding decisions.
For Reviewers
Reviewers are critical to our mission to see that NIH grant applications receive, fair, independent, expert, and timely scientific reviews. We appreciate the generosity with which reviewers give their time.
Study Sections
Applications are reviewed in study sections (Scientific Review Groups, SRGs). Review Branches (RBs) are clusters of study sections based on scientific discipline.
Review Meetings
Applications are reviewed in study sections (Scientific Review Groups, SRGs). Review Branches (RBs) are clusters of study sections based on scientific discipline.
Evaluation Initiatives
Access data visualizations, reports, and analytical tools to track progress.
About CSR
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Updates regarding government operating status and resumption of normal operations can be found at
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While there is no administrative requirement that the science in a new A0 application be substantively different from any previously reviewed submission, it is not allowable to have duplicate or highly overlapping applications under review at the same time as per 2.3.7.4 Resubmission of an Unfunded…
When you are ready to resubmit your application, you should contact your assigned program officer for guidance in addressing the comments in your summary statement.See Frequently Asked Questions about resubmissions of applications for details about current NIH policy and to learn about the…
Most competing grant applications to NIH require electronic submission using the SF424 (R&R) application forms. Electronic submission involves two separate systems working together – the federal portal Grants.gov and the NIH eRA Commons. The Office of Extramural Research provides information on…
Prior to the meeting, reviewers are assigned to your application.Your scientific review officer (SRO) is your main contact while your application is under peer review. The SRO will analyze the content of your application, check for completeness and compliance with policies, and decide which…
Unzip the file created for the meeting: Click on the file name/icon and right mouse click to display the options. When the options window opens, select “Extract All” (second from the top).
Figure 1: “Extract All” option in Windows 7.
The “Extract Compressed (Zipped) folders…
How Application Assignments Are MadeThe Division of Receipt and Referral (DRR) in the Center for Scientific Review (CSR) assigns each application to a scientific review group (study section) with the expertise to evaluate the scientific and technical merit of the application and to one or more…
Benefits of the ECR Program
Work side-by-side with some of the most accomplished researchers in your field to help NIH identify the most promising grant applications
Learn how reviewers determine overall impact scores
Improve your own grant writing skills by getting an insider’s view of how…
For purposes of NIH policy, which organisms are considered “model organisms,” and which are related research “resources” that must be added?
How will the adequacy of my sharing and distribution plan be evaluated?
What is expected of Scientific Review Officers (SROs) and reviewers?
For…
The scientific review officer (SRO) works in partnership with the scientific community to ensure that the scientific review group (study section) identifies the most meritorious science for funding by the institutes and centers. Below are some of the key functions carried out by the SRO. Pre-…
Dr. Rass M. Shayiq received his Ph.D. in biochemistry from India, he then finished postdoctoral training in the Department of Animal Biology, at the University of Pennsylvania. His research has focused on the biochemical and molecular characterization of a group of six constitutive and inducible…
Dr. Abdelouahab Aitouche is the Scientific Review Officer for the CSR’s Physiology and Pathobiology of Organ Systems Study Sections. He coordinates the review process of various fellowship grant application mechanisms.
Dr. Aitouche did his undergraduate studies in his native country Algeria. He…
Selection CriteriaScientists must meet general requirements, expertise requirements, and requirements specific to the given study section/scientific review group. Balancing experience and diversity when developing rosters for a scientific review group is one of the most challenging tasks a…
How has the Vertebrate Animals Section (VAS) of the application changed?
What are the VAS criteria that must be addressed?
Do applicants describe all proposed procedures on animals in the VAS?
Do applicants describe and justify the sex of the animals proposed in the VAS? Do applicants justify…