The NIH Peer Review Process: Your Input is Requested for an Impending Overhaul
Special Update
The NIH Peer Review Process: Your Input is Requested for an Impending Overhaul
By David A. Corral, MD
The current peer-review system for national Institutes of Health (NIH) grant applications is about to undergo a reorganization, and the Center for Scientific review (CSR), the organization that is responsible for peer review of approximately three quarters of the 40,000 grant applications, is asking for your thoughts on the two-phased plan. The current system has grown along with the NIH (which supports publicly funded research at a cost of $15.6 billion in fiscal year 1999) but has changed little in its fundamental mechanisms since its inception more than 50 years ago. Due in part to a growing concern that there has been no assessment as to whether the current system is responsive to the rapidly changing directions of basic and applied research, the Panel for Scientific Boundaries for Review was established in April 1998 to undertake a comprehensive examination of the CSR review process. In a recent issue of Science, Bruce M. Alberts and 15 other members of the panel explain the current system and the changes proposed for the system.1
Alberts et al explain that currently the fundamental units for grant review are 20 Integrated Review Groups (IRGs). Within each IRG exists a cluster of scientifically related study sections that will review applications for individual investigator-initiated grants (RO1s), fellowships (F32s), Small Business Inovations Research Grants (R43, R44), and others. Through interactions with extramural investigators as well as critical self-review, the CSR’s director has identified several areas of concern with the existing 20 IRGs. In particular, there are no appropriate study sections for newly emerging fields, and, as a result, many applications involving some of the most productive, highest-impact work are forced to compete within too few study sections. Furthermore, when review committees are too narrowly focused, they find it difficult to assess the importance and potential impact of proposals. Also, it is felt that an undue requirement for extensive preliminary data discourages innovation. A proposal for reorganization of the current IRG system (Phase 1) has been drafted and the full text is available at the panel’s website: http://www.csr.nih.gov/ bioopp/select.htm. The proposed changes include elimination of the current Biochemical Sciences, AIDS and Related Research, and Nutritional and Metabolic Sciences IRGs, division of the Cell Development and Function IRG into the Molecular Approached to Gene Function and Molecular Approached to Cell Function and Interaction IRGs and the splitting of the current Surgery, Radiology, and Bioengineering IRG into the Fundamental Bioengineering and Technology Development and the Surgery, Applied Imaging, and Applied Bioengineering IRGs. The proposed new list of IRGs is as follows:
Chemical Biology and Biophysics IRG will consider applications focused on the detailed structures, chemistry, and physics of macromolecules and interacting small molecules.
Molecular Approaches to Gene Function IRG will consider applications focused on the molecular mechanisms and regulation of the global processes of gene expression that are fundamental to all living cells.
Molecular Approaches to Cell Functions and Interactions IRG will consider applications at the level of the functions, interactions, and regulation of cells and cellular organelles, focusing on fundamental cell biological processes.
Fundamental Genetics and Population Biology IRG will consider applications focused on general issues in genetics, genomics, and population dynamics.
Fundamental Bioengineering and Technology Development IRG will consider applications to develop fundamental, broadly applicable, new methodologies and instrumentation.
Health of the Population IRG will consider applications focused on broad social, environmental, cultural, and other contextual influences on health behavior.
Risk, Prevention, and Health Behavior IRG will consider applications focused on risk, prevention, and health in the individual; studies of risk and protective processes, including genetic risk factors; and studies of interventions aimed at reducing these risks.
Behavioral and Biobehavioral Processes IRG will consider applications focused on cognitive, perceptual, intra- and interpersonal processes; studies of normal and disordered movement; and studies of developmental, psychopathological, and substance use disorders.
Immunology IRG will consider applications focused on basic immunology and diseases that are principally immunological in their origin or manifestations.
Infectious Diseases and Microbiology IRG will consider applications focused on studies of infectious diseases, pathogenesis, prevention, and treatment.
Oncological Sciences IRG will consider applications focused on cancer, spanning pathogenesis to clinical trials of therapeutics.
Hematology IRG will consider applications focused on studies of blood cells and their diseases, and studies of the coagulation system and its pathology.
Cardiovascular Sciences IRG will consider applications focused on basic studies of heart and vessel development and physiology, studies of pathophysiology of the heart and vasculature, and clinical studies pertaining to specific cardiovascular diseases and their treatment.
Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Reproductive Sciences IRG will consider applications focused on endocrine and reproductive systems and associated diseases, as well as basic intermediary metabolism and metabolic disorders.
Bone, Muscle, Connective Tissue, and Skin IRG will consider applications focused on studies of connective tissues, which include bone and dental tissues, skeletal muscle, skin, and the extracellular matrix, and their associated diseases.
Digestive Sciences IRG will consider applications focused on studies of the entire gastrointestinal tract and related organs.
Pulmonary Sciences IRG will consider applications focused on the basic studies of the lung and respiratory system development and physiology, studies of pathophysiology of the lung and respiratory system, and clinical studies pertaining to specific pulmonary diseases and their treatment.
Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Neuorscience IRG will consider applications focused on the basic mechanisms that determine the structure and function of neurons, glia, and other excitable cells, and aspects of development in both the central and peripheral nervous system.
Integrative, Functional, and Cognitive Neuroscience IRG will consider applications focused on how the nervous system is organized and functions at an integrative, systems level.
Brain Disorders and Clinical Neuroscience IRG will consider applications focused on disease and injury to the nervous system, including issues of neural substrate, functional consequences, and rehabilitation.
Surgery, Applied Imaging, and Applied Bioengineering IRG will consider applications focused on surgical and related disciplines and on applied imaging and applied bioengineering.
In addition to proposing changes to the structure of the IRGs themselves, the panel has outlined a set of "cultural norms" to guide the selection and actions of reviewers and study sections. These emphasize that the reviewer need only be fully aware of the research goals and the research means being proposed. Therefore, the reviewer need not be a "competitor" of the applicant. Also, reviewers are not in the business of educating the applicant or designing the next experiment or grant application. The panel further discourages an overemphasis on preliminary data which could discriminate against bold new ideas, young scientists, and risk-taking.
The panel intends to complete the Phase 1 framework in November 1999 and will consider your comments and suggestions submitted through their Web site by October 15, 1999. Phase 2 of the project involves the creation of scientifically related study sections to populate each IRG. These will be determined by a group of expert extramural scientists and NIH staff who will begin work in the year 2000 and conclude in approximately two years.
Reference
1. Alberts BM, et al. Proposed changes for NIH’s Center for Scientific Review. Science 1999;285:666-667.
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