Goal: To shorten the review cycle for new investigators submitting R01 applications so that applicants have the option and the time to revise and resubmit amended applications for the very next review cycle, four months earlier than before. The ultimate goal is to shorten the review cycle for all applicants and give them the opportunity to submit their applications up to three times in one calendar year, rather than stretching the entire process over two years.

Expected Benefits: Shorter review cycles will—

·         Enable applicants and NIH to more quickly advance the most promising research.

·         Allow NIH and the scientific community to better keep pace with the more rapid growth of science and evolving health needs, thus accelerating the development of new treatments, cures and preventions.

·         Aid vulnerable but promising researchers—both new and established—who do not have the resources to sit out a review cycle to make the often small changes needed to submit a successful application.

Status: The initiative began in early 2006 by posting all summary statements of new investigators submitting a RO1 within 10 days of the study section meeting. In February 2006, 40 study sections piloted the shorter cycle for new investigators submitting R01 applications. Thirteen percent of the eligible new investigators (820) chose to resubmit July 20, in time for the October 2006 review cycle. This cohort of amended applications fared very well with 62% scoring within the 10^th percentile. In subsequent rounds, the average of R01 applications revised and submitted for the next council round has been 12-13%.

Schedule for Implementation: In the February 2007 review cycle, the pilot was expanded to 100 study sections.  All study sections reviewing new investigator R01 applications will participate by the end of 2007, so that all new investigators applying for an RO1 will have the opportunity of submitting a revised application for the next deadline, about 4 months earlier than the current timeline for re-submission.  A trans-NIH committee comprising key NIH stakeholders—reviewers, referral officers, Scientific Review Officers and program staff—will ascertain perceived success and problems and analyze the application data in IMPAC ll to improve and speed the process. The NIH Peer Review Advisory Committee will review the results and recommend next steps. If this pilot is successful, shorter review cycles will be offered to additional groups of applicants.

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