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The second level of peer review is carried out by the funding Institute or Center's (IC) National Advisory Council, which considers the study section's results and determines the relevance of the applications to the IC's priorities and public health needs. The advisory council makes funding recommendations to the Institute or Center Director, who ultimately makes the funding decision.
Who Reviews the Application?
The Advisory Council/Board of the potential awarding Institute/Center performs the second level of review (See List of NIH Advisory Committees page). Advisory Councils/Boards are composed of scientists from the extramural research community and public representatives (NIH Federal Advisory Committee Information). Members are chosen by the respective IC and are approved by the Department of Health and Human Services. For certain committees, members are appointed by the President of the United States.
Recommendation Process
NIH program staff members examine applications and consider the overall impact scores given during the peer review process, percentile rankings (if applicable) and the summary statements in light of the Institute/Center's priorities.
Program staff provide a grant-funding plan to the Advisory Board/Council. Council members have access to applications and summary statements pending funding for that IC in that council round.
Council members conduct a Special Council Review of grant applications from investigators who currently receive $1 million or more in direct costs of NIH funding to support Research Project Grants (see NOT-OD-12-140). This additional review is to determine if additional funds should be provided to already well-supported investigators and does not represent a cap on NIH funding.
The Advisory Council/Board also considers the Institute/Center’s goals and needs and advises the Institute/Center director concerning funding decisions.