The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is inviting scientists with expertise in human-based research approaches to register for consideration as potential grant reviewers and contributors to the NIH peer-review process.
Scientists whose profiles are included in the NIH Expert Directory may be considered for participation in activities such as grant peer-review panels, advisory committees, workshops and other federally chartered activities. The initiative provides researchers with an opportunity to contribute specialist knowledge to the evaluation of research proposals and to support the broader NIH research review process.
About the NIH Expert Reviewer Opportunity
The NIH is seeking researchers with relevant scientific expertise and methodological experience who can potentially contribute to its peer-review activities. Interested scientists are required to submit professional and academic information through the NIH Expert Directory.
The information collected is intended to help NIH staff identify subject-matter experts whose expertise aligns with particular review needs. Applicants are asked to provide their current institutional affiliation, educational background, professional title, career stage and specific areas of scientific expertise.
The directory is managed for NIH activities and is not intended to be used for commercial solicitation.
Who Can Register?
The opportunity is intended for scientists with expertise relevant to human-based research approaches. Researchers may be at different career stages, including:
- Pre-doctoral trainees
- Post-doctoral researchers
- Independent principal investigators
- Consultants and other established professionals
Applicants should have a strong scientific background and be able to clearly identify their areas of expertise. Relevant expertise may include both broad research topics and specific methodologies or subjects.
Examples of high-level expertise include neuroendocrinology, heart disease and genetic epidemiology, while methodological expertise may include machine learning, fMRI and immunohistochemistry.
Information Required
Scientists interested in being considered for the directory must provide several details to enable NIH staff to assess their professional expertise. Required information includes their:
- First and last name
- Degree
- Professional title
- Institution or affiliation
- Career stage
- Email address
- Location or state code
- High-level areas of topical expertise
- Specific methodologies and subjects of expertise
- At least one NIH study section of interest
- CV or résumé
Applicants can identify up to three NIH study sections of interest. They are also given an opportunity to provide additional information about characteristics or experience that make them well suited to peer review.
NIH Commons ID and ORCID
The NIH states that an NIH Commons ID/eRA Commons account or ORCID is required for consideration, with applicants encouraged to provide both where available.
Researchers should therefore ensure that their professional identifiers are accurate and correspond with their academic and research records before submitting their information.
The NIH study-section directory can be consulted to identify appropriate study sections based on an applicant’s research background and expertise.
How the Selection Process Works
Submitting information to the Expert Directory does not automatically guarantee inclusion in the database. It also does not guarantee that an individual will be invited to participate in a particular board, committee, peer-review panel or meeting.
Profiles may be reviewed by federal staff responsible for managing federally chartered advisory groups and peer-review activities. A support contractor maintaining the directory may also have access to the submitted information.
The NIH may contact individuals if additional information or clarification about their profiles is required.
How to Strengthen a Profile
Researchers can improve the usefulness of their submission by providing precise and current information about their expertise. High-level research areas should accurately reflect their scientific specialisation, while methodology and subject keywords should demonstrate specific technical competencies.
The CV should provide a clear overview of academic qualifications, research experience, publications, methodological expertise and relevant professional activities. Applicants should also select study sections that closely correspond with their scientific background.
Where applicable, additional peer-review experience, leadership responsibilities, multidisciplinary research experience or other relevant qualifications can be included in the section asking about characteristics that make the applicant well suited for peer review.
Privacy and Data Protection
The NIH states that information collected through the directory is used to develop a list of subject-matter experts who may be invited to participate in NIH activities. Submitted information is available to federal staff managing relevant activities and the support contractor maintaining the directory.
Applicants must acknowledge the Privacy Act Statement as part of the submission. Providing required information is necessary for inclusion in the database of potential subject-matter experts.
How to Register
Scientists interested in being considered should complete the NIH Human-Based Reviewer Recruitment form and provide the required professional information, research expertise, study-section preferences and CV.
Official NIH Study Sections: NIH Center for Scientific Review Study Sections
Application: The recruitment form is hosted through the NIH’s REDCap system.
There is no specific closing date stated in the provided recruitment form, so researchers interested in future NIH peer-review opportunities should consider submitting their profiles when they are ready and keeping their information current.
