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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Dr. Juraj Bies received his Ph.D. in cancer genetics from the Scientific Council for Molecular Biology and Genetics, Slovak Academy of Sciences and Comenius University in Bratislava, Slovakia. He did his postdoctoral training in the field of viral oncogenesis at NIH in the Laboratory of Genetics…
Dr. Elena Shiffert earned her Ph.D. in Human Genetics from the University of Maryland, Baltimore, studying the effects of estrogen receptor alpha on cancer regression in mouse models. She trained as a Post-Doctoral Fellow in the Training Program in Breast Cancer Biology at Georgetown University,…
Dr. Tami Kingsbury received her Ph.D. in biology at Johns Hopkins University, studying yeast genetics and molecular biology. During her post-doctoral training at Johns Hopkins University, she studied calcium signaling in yeast and discovered a novel family of calcineurin regulators transferred from…
Dr. Neuhuber earned her Ph.D. in cell biology from the University of Salzburg, Austria, and completed postdoctoral training at NHLBI, where she investigated the molecular mechanisms underlying neuromuscular junction development. She subsequently joined Drexel University College of Medicine as an…
Dr. Eugene Carstea serves as Chief of the Respiratory, Cardiac, and Circulatory Sciences Review Branch (RCCS RB). Dr. Eugene Carstea is the Chief of CSR's Cardiovascular and Respiratory Sciences (CVRS) Integrated Review Group. He earned his Ph.D. in microbiology (molecular biology) from Clemson…
Dr. Laurent Taupenot’s academic background includes a B.S in biochemistry, cellular biology and physiology and a M.S in physiology from the University of Burgundy in Dijon, France, an advanced degree (DEA) in molecular and cellular biology and a Ph.D. in cellular and molecular neurobiology, both…
Dr. Low received her early education in Australia and Canada. Pursuing an interest in studying how animal behavior arises from brain physiology, she received her Ph.D. in neuroscience from Northwestern University. Her thesis work studying circadian rhythmic behavior in Clock mutant chimeric mice…
Dr. Vonda Smith is an Assistant Director in the Division of Receipt and Referral (DRR) at the Center for Scientific Review (CSR).Prior to this position, she served as Scientific Review Officer(SRO) of the Small Business: Bioanalytical Chemistry, Chemistry, Biophysics, and Assay Development Study…
I’ve read the definitions of Significance and Overall Impact but the two still seem rather similar. Can you provide some additional guidance?
When determining the Overall Impact score, should it equal the arithmetic mean of the scores for the scored review criteria?
Is it possible for an…
Before coming to CSR, Dr. Shivakumar Chittari worked at the Henry M. Jackson foundation supporting the NIH Uniformed Services University (USU) Precision Medicine Program as Director for Administration and Research Projects. In addition, he provided scientific peer review support for the USU Vice…
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…
Dr. Kumud Singh serves as Chief of the Immunology and Infectious Diseases A Review Branch (IIDA RB).Dr. Kumud K. Singh earned his Ph.D. in biophysics at the University of Delhi, India, where he studied the structure-functional properties of catalytic RNAs. His postdoctoral research at the…
Dr. Abu Abdullah is a behavioral scientist, public health physician and global health researcher with a Ph.D. in Community Medicine and an M.P.H. in Epidemiology. Before joining CSR, Dr. Abdullah was an associate professor of medicine at Boston University School of Medicine and Boston University…
Ms. Lynch leads the center’s ethics program. She oversees a staff of ethics professionals who are the first line of contact for employees. Ms. Lynch works with both employees and supervisors to ensure employee compliance with ethics rules, regulations, and policies, and the prevention or…
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…
Academic-Industrial Partnerships (AIP) to Translate and Validate In Vivo Imaging Systems (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)Academic-Industrial Partnerships for Translation of Technologies for Diagnosis and Treatment (R01 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed)Academic-Industrial Partnerships for Translation of…
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-…
Office of the Director (OD)Dr. Bruce Reed, Acting Director Dr. Kristin Kramer, Senior Advisor Mr. Jamie Greuber, Executive Assistant to the Director Mr. Robert O'Hearn, Program Specialist Dr. Raymond Jacobson, Acting Deputy Director Ms. Yvette Alston…