After careful consideration of the thoughtful comments on our Phase 1 draft report, which were submitted by over 800 individuals and societies, and consultation with representatives of several research communities, we have finalized our final Phase 1 report. We have submitted the report to the CSR Advisory Committee, to whom we report as an ad hoc working group. The CSR Advisory Committee will in turn convey its recommendation to the Director of CSR.
Among the most important changes in the final report is the addition of three Integrated Review Groups (IRGs) to the 21 that were originally proposed in the Phase 1draft report. These are: 1) Biology of Development and Aging; 2) Renal and Urological Sciences, and 3) AIDS and AIDS-Related Research. Our Panel also clarified our intention for the study sections that were created in the recently reformulated IRGs for the review of neuroscience research, behavioral and social sciences research, and AIDS and related research: these are to be left intact, pending evaluation of the effectiveness of their organization after they have been functioning for several years.
We have also rewritten the report to achieve greater clarity regarding our intentions and have prepared the accompanying set of frequently asked questions.
The Phase 2 activities of the Panel will begin in 2000, with the establishment of expert panels, composed of NIH staff and members of the relevant extramural communities. These panels will be asked to design the study sections for several of the newly recommended IRGs. Additional expert panels will be commissioned in 2001 to complete the Phase 2 process.
We invite you to visit this site periodically to monitor our progress in Phase 2.
Members, Panel on Scientific Boundaries for Review