Serving as a grant reviewer is one of the best ways to improve your own grantsmanship. Having the opportunity to read and evaluate proposals, particularly to programs to which you're interested in applying to in the future, can provide insight on what makes a successful proposal (and what does not). You'll also meet other reviewers, some of whom review frequently, as well as the program officer and begin building relationships with these resources. By participating in the process, you'll learn how to craft your proposal to help ensure that it is reviewer friendly.
In most cases you do not need to be an experienced grantee in order to review, however, it's always best to check with the funding agency. Below you'll find information on a number of major funding agencies for which UA faculty frequently apply.
Served as a reviewer? Please contact Research Development Services as we are always interested in hearing about your experience.
You can also sign-up for internal review for our competitive grants programs. Fill out this form.
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National Science Foundation Information
NSF Review Process
The National Science Foundation (NSF) utilizes a structured merit review process ensuring proposals submitted are reviewed in a fair, competitive, and transparent manner. The process is described in the NSF Grant Proposal Guide (PAPPG) and on the NSF Merit Review website. The website provides guidance on Proposal Preparation and Submission, Proposal Review and Processing, Award Processing, Merit Review Facts, FAQs, and more.
NSF Reviewer Opportunities
NSF provides opportunities for researchers to gain first hand knowledge of the peer review process. Participating in the peer review process permits researchers to learn about common problems; identify strategies related to strong proposals; and meet colleagues and NSF program officers. Early career faculty are strongly encouraged to participate in the peer review process. A full description of how to become an NSF reviewer is available at the "Why You Should Volunteer to Serve as an NSF Reviewer" page.
NSF Resources
National Endowment for the Humanities
NEH Review Process
Similar to the NSF, the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) utilizes peer review panels. The full process is described at the NEH Application Review Process webpage.
NEH Reviewer Opportunities
NEH is consistently looking for scholars and experts in their field to serve as peer reviewers. If you are interested in serving, you can sign up through an online form.
National Institutes of Health Information
In 2009, NIH provided guidance on the identification of Early Stage Investigators (ESIs). ESIs are new investigators who are within 10 years of completing their terminal research degree or 10 years of completing their medical residency. Find out more about ESI opportunities, NIH ESI policy, and RO1s.
NIH Review Process
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) Office of Extramural Research provides a Grants Process Overview detailing the steps required for an application to proceed from application planning and submission through award and close out.
NIH's Peer Review process is detailed at the Office of Extramural Research's Peer Review Process page. The NIH's Center for Scientific Review (CSR) provides a number of Applicant Resources for experienced and early career investigators. CSR's primary role is to handle the receipt and review of approximately 80% of the grant applications NIH receives. CSR does not fund applications, as NIH separates the review process from funding decisions. CSR assigns proposals to a Study Section for review and assigns a funding institute that may be interested in funding the application if positively reviewed.
NIH Peer Review is conducted through Study Sections. All Study Sections and their current participants are listed on the CSR Study Section Roster Index.
NIH Reviewer Opportunities
NIH specifically seeks early career reviewers through their Early Career Reviewer (ECR) program. To be considered for the ECR program, individuals must have 2 years experience in a full-time faculty or research position, show evidence of an active independent program of research, have at least 2 recent senior authored research publications, and have not served on a CSR study section (mail reviews are not counted). Current funding is not required. If you are too senior to serve in the ECR program, you can still become a reviewer for CSR, review how to become a reviewer on this page.
NIH Resources
- YouTube Channel
- Podcasts
- Grants Meeting (including videos from previous conferences)