The Office of Scientific Review (OSR) provides policy direction and coordination for the planning and execution of initial scientific and technical reviews conducted within the NINR. The reviews conducted by the office are considered to be first level reviews, and involve panels of experts established according to scientific disciplines or current research areas for the purpose of evaluating the scientific and technical merit of grant applications. The Chief of the Office of Scientific Review is Dr. Weiqun Li.
Grants Reviewed by OSR
NINR has one chartered review committee, National Institute of Nursing Research Initial Review Group (NRRC). This committee is responsible for the scientific peer review of individual training and career development grant applications sponsored by NINR including F30, F31, F32, K01, K23, K24, and K99/R00 mechanisms. The list of NRRC standing members can be found online via the NIH Office of Extramural Research electronic Research Administration (eRA) portal.
Applications not reviewed by NRRC are reviewed by Special Emphasis Panels (SEPs) at OSR, which are responsible for the scientific peer review of applications received by the Institute in response to Request For Applications (RFAs) and PARs (Program Announcement with special receipt, referral and/or review considerations). These include Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Institutional Research Training Grant (T32) applications, R01, R21, R34, P01, P20, and P30 applications submitted in response to NINR RFAs and PARs. OSR also uses SEPs to review cooperative agreement applications (U mechanism). In addition, OSR is responsible for NINR Loan Repayment Program (NIH LRP) application review.
Grants Reviewed by NIH Center for Scientific Review (CSR) for NINR
R01, R21, R03, R34, R41, R42, R43, and R44 submitted to Parent Announcements are reviewed by study sections located in the NIH Center for Scientific Review. Please see review panels and meeting dates for CSR review at https://public.csr.nih.gov/RevPanelsAndDates.
Two-Level Review System Utilized by NIH for Funding Consideration
The two-level review system utilized by NIH involving the scientific review group and the advisory council is briefly described in the diagram below:
2-Level System for Application Review
1st Level
Scientific Review Group (SRG)
- Independent outside reviewers
- Evaluate scientific merit & significance
- Recommend length and level of funding
2nd Level
National Advisory Council
- Evaluates Program Priorities and Relevance
- Advises on Policy
- Make Recommendation to Institute Director on Funding