The Scientific Review Branch (SRB) at the Division of Extramural Programs of the National Library of Medicine (NLM) is responsible for the initial peer review of grant applications and cooperative agreements assigned to NLM. This includes applications in response to NLM-initiated research and training programs in biomedical informatics and data science. Review meetings are conducted to evaluate the scientific and technical merit of applications, ensuring that applications receive expert, objective, and timely reviews, free of bias and conflicts of interest, under federal laws, guidelines of the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), and NIH policies.
Peer Review Process
Applications received by NLM are either reviewed by the NLM SRB or by NIH’s Center for Scientific Review (CSR). Determination of where an application is reviewed can be found in Section V of the notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) for which an applicant applied.
The NLM SRB covers the peer review of a wide range of applications and programs including:
- NLM-initiated program announcements (PARs, RFAs)
- Research grants (e.g., R01s, R21s, R03s)
- Resource grants (G13 and G08)
- Institutional training grants (T15 and R25)
- NLM network cooperation agreements (UG4 and U24)
- NIH-wide program announcements (PAs)
- Career development awards (K01, K08, K99/R00,)
- Conference grants (R13/U13),
- Loan Repayment program
CSR focuses on applications responding to NIH-wide program announcements (PAs) including:
- Investigator-initiated research grants (R01 and R21)
- Small business innovation grants (SBIR/STTR: R41, R42, R43, R44)
- Fellowships (Fs)
- NIH-wide special programs
After applications are peer reviewed, they continue to a second level of review conducted by the NLM Board of Regents. The Board is the final review body for NLM's extramural grant program.
NLM Review Committees and Meeting Rosters
The NLM uses two types of peer review committees to evaluate applications.
- NLM’s standing committee is the Biomedical Informatics, Library, and Data Sciences Review Committee (BILDS), which typically reviews applications in response to research program announcements.
- NLM Special Emphasis Panels (SEPs) are formed to conduct reviews of a variety of applications, particularly for special programs (e.g., G08, G13, T15/R25, UG4, K).
Becoming a Reviewer for NLM
The NIH peer review system is the cornerstone of the NIH extramural research enterprise, which depends on expert reviewers who assess the scientific and technical merits of applications. If you are interested in becoming a reviewer for NLM, please complete the NLM Reviewer Expertise Form and email it to NLM-Review@NIH.gov.
Scientific Expertise Needed
NLM reviewers should be experts in biomedical informatics and data science, including but not limited to the following areas:
- Data Science
- Bioinformatics
- Translational Informatics
- Clinical & Clinical Research Informatics
- Personal (Consumer) Health Informatics
- Public Health Informatics
- Medical Library Science, Information Science
- Training, Mentoring, and Career Development
Ideal reviewers are the experts who have:
- successfully applied for and received research funding from the federal government (such as NIH or National Science Foundation)
- published in the field
- federal peer review experience
Reviewers must be objective, fair, free of conflicts of interest, and willing to serve the scientific community.
Learn More
How do I find out more about the peer review process?
- Upon completion, grant applications are assigned to the appropriate NIH Institute or Center then evaluated. Learn more about the NIH Referral and Review Process.
How do I apply for an NIH grant?
- Visit NIH Grants Process Overview to learn more about how to apply for an NIH grant and how to correctly format your application.
How do I get a grant assigned to NLM?
- Use the PHS Assignment Request Form. By including this form in your application, you communicate specific application assignment and review preferences to the Division of Receipt and Referral (DRR) and to Scientific Review Officers (SROs).
Who can I discuss scientific review issues with?
- Pre-submission, contact the Chief Review Officer or the Review Officer listed in the Notice of Funding Opportunity. Post submission, contact the Review Officer assigned to your application in eRA Commons.
How do I find more NLM Advisory Committee Information?
How do I find more NIH Advisory Committee Information?