The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has a longstanding history of supporting the most promising and meritorious biomedical and behavioral research using a broad range of approaches, strategies and mechanisms. While the world-renowned peer review system is the cornerstone of NIH, the increasing breadth, complexity, and interdisciplinary nature of modern research has created many challenges.

The 2007-2008 NIH peer-review self-study identified seven major challenges:

• Challenge 1: Reducing Administrative Burden on Applicants, Reviewers, and NIH Staff
• Challenge 2: Enhancing the Rating System
• Challenge 3: Enhancing Review and Reviewer Quality
• Challenge 4: Optimizing Support for Different Career Stages and Types
• Challenge 5: Optimizing Support for Different Types and Approaches of Science
• Challenge 6: Reducing the Stress on the Support System of Science
• Challenge 7: Meeting the Need for Continuous Review of Peer Review

To address these challenges, in June 2007, the NIH initiated the effort to formally review the NIH peer review system.  External and internal working groups deliberated on challenges and recommendations regarding enhancements to the review system.  Input was sought and received, with significant dialogue, from both internal and external communities. The year-long effort, resulting in selected recommendations and key actions described in the final report, included the following phases:

• Diagnostic Phase (July 2007 – February 2008)
• Design Implementation Plan (March 2008 – June 2008)
• Begin Phased Implementation of Selected Actions (September 2008)
This page was last reviewed on December 4, 2008