Peer review must consistently identify an application’s relative merit, potential for scientific and/or public health impact, and feasibility. This can be accomplished through achievement of the following:

• Enhancing and Reordering the Review Criteria.  To increase the emphasis on overall impact, the review criteria have been enhanced and reordered.  A Side-by-Side Comparison (PDF – 62 KB) of the former and enhanced criteria for Research Project Grants is available for more details. 
• Improving Scoring Transparency & Scale. Beginning with the summer 2009 review cycle/September Council, all applications were scored with a new 9-point scoring scale, which was selected based on the desire for a scale with sufficient range to allow reviewers to make reliable distinctions among applications. 
• Providing Criterion Scores for All Applications. Beginning with the summer  2009, review cycle/September Council, each scored review criterion received a score from all assigned reviewers.  The scores are visible in the summary statement of all applications, even those that are not discussed during the review meeting.
• Providing Reviewers with Templates to Compose Constructive Critiques.  Beginning with the summer 2009 review meetings, reviewers will use structured critique templates to provide their comments in the form of bulleted strengths and weaknesses for each review criterion and consideration. 
• Shortening and Restructuring Applications. Applications will be shortened and restructured for due dates on or after January 25, 2010.

Scoring and Review

A new scoring system was established for applications submitted for fiscal year 2009 funding (due dates on or after January 25, 2009, and review dates in Summer 2009).  Guidance (PDF - 54 KB) was prepared to assist reviewers in their use of the new system.  Further information can be found at Scoring and Review Changes.

Restructured Applications

Shortened and restructured applications will be required for applications submitted for due dates on or after January 25, 2010.  A detailed guide to the revised application forms and instructions is available for applicants who are preparing applications before the new application packages have been posted.

All applications, including those that are resubmitted as an A1 or A2 application, must use the new page limits and structure.

Related Resources

• NIH Guide Notice NOT-OD-10-002 (10/08/2009) - Clarification on Timing and Page Limits for Restructured Application Forms and Instructions that are Required for Due Dates on or after January 25, 2010
• NIH Guide Notice NOT-OD-09-149 (09/16/2009) - Restructured Application Forms and Instructions for Submissions for FY2011 Funding
• NIH Guide Notice NOT-OD-09-024 (12/02/2008) - The NIH Announces New Scoring Procedures for Evaluation of Research Applications Received for Potential FY2010 Funding
• NIH Guide Notice NOT-OD-09-025 (12/02/2008) - The NIH Announces Enhanced Review Criteria for Evaluation of Research Applications Received for Potential FY2010 Funding