NIH Grantsmanship Workshop CSR Peer Review of NIH AIDS Applications Hilary D Sigmon PhD, RN

1. NIH Grantsmanship Workshop CSR Peer Review of NIH AIDS Applications Hilary D Sigmon PhD, RN IAS Conference on AIDS Pathogenesis, Treatment and Prevention Rome, Italy July 19, 2011 National Institutes of HealthU.S. Department of Health and Human Services

2. Review Process for a Research Grant National Institutes of Health Research Grant Application School or Other Research Center Center for Scientific Review Assigns to IC & IRG/Study Section Study Section Initiates Research Idea Submits Application Reviews for Scientific Merit Institute Evaluates for Relevance Allocates Funds Advisory Councils and Boards Conducts Research Recommends Action Institute Director Takes Final Action

3. Center for Scientific Review (CSR) Mission Statement To see that NIH grant applications receive fair, independent, expert, and timely reviews – free from inappropriate influences – so NIH can fund the most promising research.

4. AIDS, Behavioral and Population Sciences Basic and Integrative Biological Sciences Physiological and Pathological Sciences Translational and Clinical Sciences Neuroscience, Development and Aging Biobehavioral & Behavioral Processes Biological Chemistry & Macromolecular Biophysics Endocrinology, Metabolism, Nutrition & Reproductive Sciences Cardiovascular and Respiratory Sciences Brain Disorders & Clinical Neuroscience Risk, Prevention& Health Behavior Surgical Sciences, Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering Molecular, Cellular & Developmental Neuroscience Bioengineering Sciences & Technologies Immunology Population Sciences & Epidemiology Integrative, Functional & Cognitive Neuroscience Cell Biology Infectious Diseases & Microbiology Musculoskeletal, Oral & Skin Sciences Healthcare Delivery & Methodologies Genes, Genomes & Genetics Oncology: Translational Clinical Emerging Technologies & Training in Neuroscience Digestive, Kidney & Urological Systems AIDS & AIDS Related Research Oncology: Basic Translational Vascular and Hematology Biology of Development & Aging Interdisciplinary Molecular Sciences & Training Divisions and Integrated Review Groups (IRGs)

5. Division of AIDS, Behavioral and Population Sciences

6. Help Your Application Get to the Right Study Section http://www.csr.nih.gov/

7. NIH Grant Receipt, Review, and Award Schedule for AIDS Applications Jan 7 May 7 Sept 7 Receipt Dates March/April July/August Nov/Dec Review Dates May-June Sept-Oct Jan-Feb National Advisory Council/Board Dates July Dec Apr Earliest Possible Beginning Date

8. Review Criteria • Overall Impact • Assessment of the likelihood for the project to exert a sustained, powerful influence on the research field(s) involved • Core Review Criteria • Significance • Investigator(s) • Innovation • Approach • Environment

9. 9-Point Score Scale Descriptors

10. What Reviewers Look for in Applications • Significance and impact • Exciting ideas • Clarity • Ideas they can understand -- Don’t assume too much • Realistic aims and timelines -- Don’t be overly ambitious • Brevity with things that everybody knows • Noted limitations of the study • A clean, well-written application

11. Common Problems in Applications • Lack of new or original ideas • Absence of an acceptable scientific rationale • Lack of experience in the essential methodology • Questionable reasoning in experimental approach • Uncritical approach • Diffuse, superficial, or unfocused research plan • Lack of sufficient experimental detail • Lack of knowledge of published relevant work • Unrealistically large amount of work • Uncertainty concerning future directions

12. At The Meeting Order of Review The average of the preliminary Overall Impact score from the assigned reviewers determines the review order Discussions start with the application with the best average preliminary Overall Impact score Clustering of Review New Investigator R01 applications are clustered Clinical applications & other mechanisms may be clustered (n ≥ 20) Not Discussed Applications About half the applications will be discussed Applications unanimously judged by the review committee to be in the lower half are not discussed

13. Summary Statement The following results are provided to the applicant and the assigned NIH Institute(s) or Center(s) that may fund it. • Essentially unedited critiques • Scores for each review criterion • Administrative notes if any If an application is discussed, additional feedback is given • Summary of review discussion • An overall impact/priority score and percentile ranking • Budget recommendations

14. Who Can Answer Your Questions? Before You Submit Your Application • A Program Officer at an NIH Institute or Center • Scientific Review Officer After You Submit • Your Scientific Review Officer After Your Review • Your Assigned Program Officer GrantsInfo: GrantsInfo@nih.gov – 301 435-0714

15. NIH Peer Review Information on the Web • National Institutes of Health (http://www.nih.gov) • Office of Extramural Research (http://www.nih.gov/grants/oer.htm) • Grants Policy (http://www.nih.gov/grants/policy/policy.htm) • Electronic Submission (http://era.nih.gov/ElectronicReceipt) • Center for Scientific Review (http://www.csr.nih.gov) • Resources for Applicants (http://www.csr.nih.gov/ResourcesforApplicants) • CSR Study Section Rosters (http://www.csr.nih.gov/committees/rosterindex.asp) • Review Group Meeting Dates (http://www.csr.nih.gov/Committees/meetings/ssmeet1.asp) • Video of the Peer Review Process (http://cms.csr.nih.gov/ResourcesforApplicants/InsidetheNIHGrantReviewProcessVideo.htm )

16. Helpful Handouts Insiders Guide What Happens to NIH Grant Application to Peer Review Your Grant Application Useful Web Links http://cms.csr.nih.gov/publications/