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.
News & Policy
The latest news and policy updates from CSR. Read about our outreach programs and publications.
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 Panels & Dates
Applications are reviewed in study sections (Scientific Review Group, SRG). Review Branches (RBs) are clusters of study sections based on scientific discipline.
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…
Dr. Vinod Charles serves as Chief of the Bioengineering, Biodata, and Biomodeling Technologies Review Branch (BBBT RB).
Dr. Vinod Charles returned to CSR after working in the Division of Extramural Activities at NIH’s National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), where he served in multiple…
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…
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…
Your Visit to the CSR Website is Private and SecureThis website is provided as a public service by the Center for Scientific Review (CSR) at NIH. CSR websites perform a wide range of functions, including the collection and dissemination of grant application and scientific peer review policy…
CSR Advisory Council Update – Dr. Noni Byrnes, Ph.D., CSR Director
ENQUIRE Group 16 – Healthcare Delivery and Patient Management – Dr. Valerie Durrant, Ph.D., CSR DABP Director
ENQUIRE Group 9 – Gastroinstestinal, Renal, Endocrine, Metabolism - Dr. Larry Boerboom, Ph.D., CSR DPPS Director…
We asked retired study section chairs to tell us the advice they would give to new reviewers. The nuggets below come from many years of combined experience as reviewers and chairs.Getting StartedDon’t be overwhelmed by the number of applications. Just start reading as soon as you get your…
If I’m not sure whether NIH would consider my proposal a clinical trial, what should I do?
What is different about Notice of Funding Opportunities (NOFOs) that allow applications proposing clinical trials?
Why are Trainees or Fellows not allowed to lead an independent clinical trial?
What…
May I submit many post submission items, or only one?Why is there a 30-day cutoff for notification that a paper has been accepted?Will NIH accept articles that have been accepted for publication?Why aren’t late-breaking research findings allowed as post-submission material?May I submit newly-…
How does NIH describe an Early Stage Investigator (ESI)?
What are the advantages of early stage investigator (ESI) status?
I am an Early Stage Investigator (ESI) but this designation does not appear when I view the grant folder in the NIH Commons. How can I correct the information?
If, during…
Which applications qualify for the Continuous Submission program?
Who is eligible for Continuous Submission?
Does this opportunity apply to new applications only?
How are applications with multiple Program Directors/Principal Investigators (PDs/PIs) handled?
What is the last date I can submit…