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.
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 Criteria
Scientists 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…
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…
DRR seeks to apply NIH policies regarding receipt and referral of grant applications fairly. We expect that applicants should be aware of published NIH policies, and we expect that our implementation of policies and procedures is consistent, reasonable, and transparent. If you disagree with an…
Richard K Nakamura, Lee S Mann, Mark D Lindner, Jeremy Braithwaite, Mei-Ching Chen, Adrian Vancea, Noni Byrnes, Valerie Durrant, Bruce Reed (2021) An experimental test of the effects of redacting grant applicant identifiers on peer review outcomes. eLife 2021;10:e71368. DOI: 10.7554/eLife.71368…
Does the NIH policy on rigor and transparency apply to all types of NIH grants?
Where in grant applications should applicants address the four focus areas of the NIH policy on rigor and transparency?
I’m confused about the term “scientific premise or rigor” and how it is different from “…
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…
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…
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 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…