A Video on Peer Review at NIH

The Center for Scientific Review has produced a video of a mock study section meeting to provide an inside look at how NIH grant applications are reviewed for scientific and technical merit. The video shows how outside experts assess applications and how review meetings are conducted to ensure fairness. The video also includes information on what applicants can do to improve the chances their applications will receive a positive review.

To make the video both authentic and authoritative, real reviewers volunteered to review real but altered and disguised applications. NIH staff members also volunteered to participate in this video, which was developed in collaboration with the NIH Office of Extramural Research.

Download the Video

Click on the link below to run the 39-minute video, using Windows Media software.

"Inside the NIH Grant Review Process"

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         Text of the video in PDF format

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View the Documents Used in the Video

Read the fictionalized documents used in the video to get a better understanding of the review process:

 applications, summary statements, and the program announcements.

Get More Information

Read more about the NIH grants program and the peer review process via a list of useful NIH Web site links.


This video may be used by individuals, universities, or other organizations without restrictions to advance the understanding of NIH scientific review groups. Officials of academic or professional organizations who want to present this video at larger grantsmanship forums may request a copy on CD by writing to CSR's Communications Director, Don Luckett, Center for Scientific Review, National Institutes of Health,
6701 Rockledge Drive, Room 3016, MSC 7776, Bethesda, MD 20892-7776.

Note: Since application submission and review policies discussed in the video may change, applicants should check for policy updates on the CSR and the NIH Office of Extramural Research Web sites.

 

The Documents Used by the Volunteer Reviewers in the Video

 Muldoon-R01 research project grant
         Application
         Summary Statement

 Lawrence- K08 career development grant
         Application
         Summary Statement
         Program Announcement for Mentored Clinical Scientist Development K08
         NIDDK K08 Mailout letter (guide for the reviewers)

 Westcott-R03 small innovative grant
         Application Summary
         Statement Program Announcement PAR97-006

Note: These documents were altered to serve as realistic but unidentifiable examples of the documents reviewed and produced by NIH study sections.

 

Links to Additional Information on NIH Grants and the Peer Review Process

The NIH Peer Review Process

 NIH Office of Extramural Research: Web pages on peer review policy and issues

 CSR Scientific Review Policy, Procedure and Review Guidelines Web pages

 CSR Best Practices Web Pages

The NIH Grants Program

 NIH Office of Extramural Research Grants page

 Information about how the NIH grants process works NIH Web site

 NIH web site with instructions for filling out Form 398 the research project grant application

 NIH web site with tips for writing grant applications

 Advice to Investigators Submitting Clinical Research Applications

 NIH home page

Additional Resources

Investigators are encouraged to contact program staff prior to submitting an application. Additional information that may be useful is available on the following NIH web sites:

 Inclusion of women and minorities

 NIH instructions to peer reviewers

 Inclusion of children

 NIH policy on data monitoring

  NIH data sharing policy

 Office of Human Research Protections