The Division of Receipt and Referral (DRR) within the Center for Scientific Review (CSR) serves as the central receiving point for all competing applications, whether solicited or unsolicited. Upon receipt of a competing application, DRR:

• Checks for completeness
• Determines area of research
• Assigns application to specific NIH Institute or Center for possible funding
• Assigns an identification number
• Assigns application to a Review Group

Applications are assigned to a specific study section, also known as a Scientific Review Group (SRG) or review committee, within the IRG that has the expertise to evaluate the scientific and technical merit:

• CSR reviews most R01s, fellowships, and small business applications and some PAs, PARs, & RFA’s
• IC review groups handle applications that have Institute-specific features such as program projects, training grants, career development awards, and responses to Requests for Applications.

(For more information on the Receipt and Referral process, see CSR: Submission and Assignment Process)

For questions on the assignment of a study section, contact the Scientific Review Officer (SRO) whose contact information may be found in your eRA Commons account, or the CSR referral office at 301-435-0715. Questions on the IC assignment should be directed to CSR at the number noted above.