Health and Human Services secretary Kathleen Sebelius confirmed yesterday that the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has received about 20,000 applications for Challenge Grants, which are funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).
The NIH receives about 20,000 application during each of its three annual review rounds. ARRA-related applications will more than double the number of applications that will be reviewed during this round.
"These are exciting times for biomedical research and NIH,” said Raynard S. Kington, acting NIH director. “We issued the Challenge Grant Request for Applications and received the largest response in our history from the scientific community, both in terms of applications and assistance with the peer review process. Through the Challenge Grants, [the] NIH will invest in targeted research of the highest quality that will impact both economic growth and human health."
The Center for Scientific Review (CSR), which supports the NIH's peer review process, has recruited over 18,000 scientists to help assess the applications.
The CSR typically reviews about 16,000 applications with about 8,000 reviewers during each of the three main yearly review rounds. During this round, the CSR will review about 40,000 applications with help from about 28,000 reviewers.
The CSR will check the applications for compliance and review them in two phases. First experts in each topic area will critique the applications. Then study sections of researchers will compare the overall significance and impact of each application.
"Our scientists and their staff are unsung heroes, managing twice as many applications in a very compressed time with great professionalism and excellence," said CSR director Toni Scarpa. "The response by the scientific community also has been tremendous. The help is particularly gratifying because it shows the value and respect that scientists have for NIH peer review."
The deadline for Challenge Grant applications was April 27. Scores and summary statements will be available in August 2009. The Challenge Grants will be awarded by September 30, 2009.
