Eighteen Institutes and Centers (ICs) have begun ordering CDs for reviewers in place of conventional books of paper grant applications. Since the inception of the program last February, 520 study sections have ordered a total of 11,505 CDs. The May 2002 release of the IMPAC II Peer Review module expedited the process by enabling ICs to place orders online. See article in June Inside eRA for details.

During FY2002, all costs associated with CD production were absorbed by the eRA project. This fiscal year, eRA will phase out its subsidization of the CD program and begin transferring financial responsibility to the ICs. The FY2003 eRA budget includes $200K to cover costs during the transition. eRA currently is working with the Office of Research Services (ORS) to develop procedures for charging costs back to the ICs.

The CDs contain images of grant applications assigned to the study section, related prior summary statements, relevant Program Announcements (PAs) and Requests for Applications (RFAs), a template for R01 reviews (if the meeting contains R01s), and a CD user guide. Also included are a self-starting version of Adobe Acrobat and an Adobe user’s guide. IC-specific review guidelines can be added by providing the vendor with a Web link to this information.

Several ICs have inquired about ordering customized CDs (e.g., including appendices). Interested ICs can obtain a cost estimate by contacting Scott Swidersky of Quality Associates Incorporated (QAI) at sswidersky@qualityassociatesinc.com or 410-884-9100. All arrangements for special CDs are to be negotiated between the IC and the contractor.

For more information, contact eRA analyst Michael Cox.