The NIH Center for Scientific Review (CSR) recognizes that reviewers often must prepare and submit their own grant applications during the time they are reviewing and participating in study section meetings. In an effort to reward its reviewers for their many sacrifices and to provide them with greater flexibility in submitting applications the NIH Center for Scientific Review has announced plans to permit appointed members of all chartered CSR study sections to submit—at any time—their R01, R03, R21, R34 and R15 applications intended for the standing due dates (not special dates for RFAs and PARs). Such applications would be guaranteed a review within 90 days of receipt and would be referred to the appropriate NIH Institute Advisory Council for the next possible round. In most cases, the reviews will be conducted by Special Emphasis Panels.
CSR notes in its new release that the main hurdles to implementing this new procedure are technical. The Center is currently working to resolve or workaround limitations to NIH/CSR assignment and notification systems and hopes to implement a pilot in 2008.
The details of this change and a corresponding clarification of the NIH policy on late applications will be published in the NIH Guide to Grants and Contracts.
NOTE: The NIH policy of allowing for a “window of consideration” for applications from chartered CSR study section members submitted for standard deadlines (http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/funding/ submissionschedule.htm) will still be available; such applications could be assigned to other recurring study sections. All those who opt to submit according to current practice will receive their score and summary statement at least 30 days before the Council meeting.
For ad hoc members, the current practice of windows of consideration would continue as well (http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-07-026.html).