While peer review is an essential part of funding meritorious scientific research, it is also important to consider other factors to ensure alignment with the vision of NIH and NIAID. To accomplish this in a fair, accurate, and transparent manner, NIAID has developed a standardized process for evaluating all grant applications with input and feedback from subject-matter experts in the institute’s extramural divisions. This new process considers both the results of peer review and criteria focused on
- scientific impact
- relevance to Department, Agency, and Institute priorities
- research gaps
- investigator-specific factors, such as career stage
This approach will ensure that both objective peer review and HHS-, NIH-, and NIAID-specific priorities guide funding selections in a standardized, transparent manner.
NIAID Approach to the NIH Unified Funding Strategy
NIH Peer Review
Grant applications are first reviewed and scored by the NIH Center for Scientific Review study sections, which evaluate each proposal on scientific merit. Applications are then prioritized for further review by NIAID program and leadership. These rankings play a key role in deciding which applications receive funding.
NIAID Programmatic Review
Following peer review, NIAID Program Officers carefully review applications using a standardized assessment tool. Their assessment considers scientific merit, public health impact, investigator characteristics, research gaps, and alignment with HHS, NIH, and NIAID scientific priorities. Based on this assessment, they provide ranked recommendations for funding, which are further reviewed and prioritized by Division leadership.
NIAID Leadership Review
NIAID leadership reviews the list of applications from each Division and provides final approval for prioritized applications. In leadership’s review, they consider key metrics like score distribution and use real-time portfolio analyses to aid decision-making. This process ensures each funded grant aligns with Institute, agency, and department priorities and helps maintain a balanced research portfolio.