Check for Conflicts in Applications

It is very important that reviewer conflicts with an application are identified in a timely manner.  If you have a potential conflict that is not covered in the links below or are unsure if it is a true conflict of interest (COI), please contact the Scientific Review Officer (SRO).

General Resources

• NIH Reviewer Orientation (see section on Ethical Conduct of Reviewers – Conflict of Interest)
• Grants: COI Reviewer Guidance (PDF - 36 kb) (March 16, 2015)
• Conflicts of Interest (IAR Reviewers Online Help)
•  Peer Review COI FAQs
• Integrity and Confidentiality in NIH Peer Review
• Responsibilities of Reviewers in Protecting NIH Peer Review

Pre-Meeting COI

About the Recruitment Phase

The Recruitment Phase module allows invited reviewers to check for conflicts of interest through eRA Commons/IAR. Potential reviewers can view lists of key personnel and application abstracts, and sign pre-meeting certification forms. SROs can view all the potential conflicts and contact reviewers who specify possible (uncertain) conflicts, to decide who can participate in the peer review meeting and who can review specific applications. If your SRO opts to use IAR’s Recruitment Phase, you will receive a system generated email after you agree to serve as an invited peer reviewer.

Basic Tasks

• Check for Conflicts
• Sign Pre-Meeting COI Form: Beginning October 25, 2018 this must be completed electronically (Remember to select one of the 2 boxes before signing)

Resources

• Pre-Review Certification Sample Form
• See Pre Meeting COI Certification (IAR Reviewers Online Help)
• Recruitment Phase Topic in IAR Online Help (Guidance for initial COI checks in a designated phase called Recruitment phase)

Meeting COI

If you discover a conflict of interest at the meeting, inform the SRO immediately.

Post Meeting COI

Basic Tasks

• Sign Post-Meeting COI Form

Resources

• Post-Review Certification Sample Form
• See Post Meeting COI Certification (IAR Reviewers Online Help)