Modified Application Submission, Referral and Review for Appointed NIH Study Section Members
Frequently Asked Questions:
1. What is the definition of an appointed member of a study section?
Appointed regular members of standing Study Sections generally have a four year commitment involving three meetings a year. They are nominated by the Scientific Review Officer of the Study Section and appointed by the Director, NIH. If you have any doubt about your eligibility status you should contact your Scientific Review Officer.
2. What is the definition of a temporary or ad hoc member of a study section?
Temporary or ad hoc members of study sections have a commitment to only the one meeting to which they have been invited by the Scientific Review Officer and are not appointed by the Director, NIH.
3. How will multiple Program Directors/Principal Investigators (PDs/PIs) be handled?
If an applications has multiple PD/PIs (http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-07-017.html), and one of the PD/PIs is a regular member of a standing study section (not temporary or ad hoc), the application is eligible for this alternate submission and review process.
4. Does this opportunity apply to new applications only?
No, this opportunity applies to new (all three activity codes – R01, R21, R34) , resubmission (A1, A2 for all three activity codes), renewal (type 2 for R01, not allowed for R21, and generally not allowed for R34) and revision (formerly termed supplements) applications (all three activity codes) submitted for standard dates.
5. What about collaborative applications (independent but related applications) if any one is from a member?
If the PIs for all the related applications are regular members of NIH study sections and they all submit their application at the same time, then the applications are eligible for this alternate submission and review process. However, if any one of the PIs is not a regular member of a standing NIH study section, then all the applications should be submitted on a regular receipt date.
6. What do I say in my cover letter?
In order to assist NIH in identifying these applications, a cover letter is strongly encouraged. Please clearly identify the study section you serve on and the period of your service if known.
7. What about applications for IC review? I serve on an NIMH committee, for example, and my research is on mental health services. My R01 application has always been reviewed by an NIMH panel, not a CSR panel. Since I am still an appointed member of an NIMH panel can I submit my renewal R01 application whenever I want?
This is an NIH-wide pilot. Whether your application is in an area normally reviewed by a CSR study section or an IC study section, you are eligible for this alternate submission and review process.
8. What is the last date I can submit and be considered for this alternate submission and review process?
This depends on when your membership term expires. If, for example, your appointment as a regular member of a Study Section ends on June 30, 2009, you may submit an application (new, renewal, or revised) up to August 16, 2009 and be considered eligible for this alternate submission and review process. Any applications submitted after August 16, 2009 must be submitted on regular receipt dates.