Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Awards, NRSAs, NRSA, overall impact, scored review criteria, additional review criteria, additional review considerations, secondary level of review, individual fellowship

11.2.4 Review

Each new and renewal application will be evaluated for scientific merit by an NIH SRG.

11.2.4.1 Overall Impact

Reviewers will provide an overall impact score to reflect their assessment of the likelihood that the fellowship will enhance the fellowship applicant's potential for a productive independent scientific research career in a health-related field, in consideration of the scored and additional review criteria (as applicable for the project proposed).

Individual Fellowship programs are training awards and not research awards. Major considerations in the review are the candidate's potential for a productive career, the candidate's need for the proposed training, and the degree to which the research training proposed, the sponsor, and the environment will satisfy those needs.

11.2.4.2 Scored Review Criteria

Reviewers will consider each of the five review criteria below in the determination of scientific and technical merit, and give a separate score for each. The following review criteria are applicable primarily to F30, F31 and F32 applications. For review criteria pertaining to other individual fellowship applications (e.g., F05, F33), please refer to the specific FOA. The scored criteria are:

  • Fellowship Applicant
  • Sponsor(s), Collaborator(s), and Consultant(s)
  • Research Training Plan
  • Training Potential
  • Institutional Environment and Commitment to Training

The FOA should be consulted for additional information describing each of the scored review criteria.

11.2.4.3 Additional Review Criteria

As applicable for the project proposed, reviewers will consider the following additional items in the determination of scientific and technical merit but will not give separate scores for these items.

  • Protections for Human Subjects
  • Inclusion of Women, Minorities, and Individuals Across the Lifespan
  • Vertebrate Animals
  • Biohazards
  • Resubmission Applications
  • Renewal Applications

The FOA should be consulted for additional information describing each of the relevant additional review criteria.

11.2.4.4 Additional Review Considerations

As applicable for the project proposed, reviewers will address each of the following items, but will not give scores for these items and should not consider them in providing an overall impact score.

  • Training in the Responsible Conduct of Research
  • Select Agents Research
  • Resource Sharing Plans
  • Authentication of Key Biological and/or Chemical Resources

  • Budget and Period Support
  • Foreign Sponsoring Institutions

The FOA should be consulted for additional information describing each of the relevant additional review considerations.

11.2.4.5 Secondary Level of Review

Kirschstein-NRSA individual fellowship applications receive a secondary level of review by IC The NIH organizational component responsible for a particular grant program or set of activities. The terms "NIH IC," or "awarding IC" are used throughout this document to designate a point of contact for advice and interpretation of grant requirements and to establish the focal point for requesting necessary prior approvals or changes in the terms and conditions of award. staff. Criteria used in making award decisions include the SRG's recommendation concerning the overall merit of the application, the relevance of the application to the IC The NIH organizational component responsible for a particular grant program or set of activities. The terms "NIH IC," or "awarding IC" are used throughout this document to designate a point of contact for advice and interpretation of grant requirements and to establish the focal point for requesting necessary prior approvals or changes in the terms and conditions of award.'s research training priorities and program balance, and the availability of funds.