CSR’s primary role is to handle the receipt and review of ~ 75% of the 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 Group, SRG). Review Branches (RBs) are clusters of study sections based on scientific discipline..
Review Meetings
Applications are reviewed in study sections (Scientific Review Group, SRG). Review Branches (RBs) are clusters of study sections based on scientific discipline.
Evaluation Initiatives
Access data visualizations, reports, and analytical tools to track progress.
Dr. Jessica Bellinger received her Ph.D. in health services policy and management from the University of South Carolina, Arnold School of Public Health. Before joining NIH, she was a social scientist at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, where she directed projects examining…
Dr. Andrea Gobin studied biomimetics and received her Ph.D. from Rice University. She obtained post-doctoral training in naturally derived biomaterials, specifically silk fibroin and emodin for muscular and skin tissue engineering applications, at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.…
Appeals process for a withdrawn grant applicationDRR seeks to apply NIH policies regarding receipt and referral of grant applications fairly. We expect applicants to be aware of published NIH policies, and we expect our implementation of policies and procedures to be consistent, reasonable,…
Dr. Elia Ortenberg serves as Chief of the Social and Community Influences Across the Lifecourse Review Branch (SCIL RB).Dr. Elia Kwee Ortenberg (formerly: Femia) received her Ph.D. in human development and family studies from the Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA. Before coming to…
We asked some experienced reviewers why someone considering becoming a reviewer should do it. Here are some of the things they said:
Enjoy Flexibility in Submitting Applications: “I really like getting a break on application deadlines.” Reviewers may submit their own proposals up to two weeks late…
Dr. Jessica M. Smith came to CSR from the Common Fund within the NIH Office of the Director, where she served as a scientific program analyst. She provided scientific expertise and analytical skills to facilitate review for Other Transaction Authority (OTA) awards, program management, strategic…
Dr. Lauren Penney is an anthropologist and implementation scientist. She received a Ph.D. in medical anthropology from the University of Arizona, where she also conducted post-doctoral research on the Deepwater Horizon oil spill disaster with funding from the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management and,…
Dr. Raquel Velazquez-Kronen earned her Ph.D. in epidemiology from the University at Buffalo, State University of New York. She completed a predoctoral fellowship at the National Cancer Institute, where she evaluated health risks associated with occupational radiation exposures. Prior to joining CSR…
As Branch Chief for the Scientific Review Evaluation Activities (SREA) Branch, Mr. Wheat has oversight of the organization responsible for managing the review meeting hotel contracts, non-Federal traveler contract, and reviewer reimbursement. Each and every one of these activities make review…
I’m extremely busy this semester and don’t see how I can finish all my critiques in time. What’s the harm in asking my senior postdoc to help me out?
The rules say that I can’t share applications with someone who has not been officially designated to participate in the peer review meeting. How…
Dr. Paul Hewett previously served as a senior associate at the Population Council, an international non-Governmental Organization whose mission is to improve the well-being and reproductive health of current and future generations. During his more than 20 years there, he worked in developing…
Dr. June Gin received a Ph.D. in resource policy and behavior from the University of Michigan's School of Environment and Sustainability, focusing on environmental sociology. Before joining CSR, she was a research health scientist at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Emergency…