An official website of the United States government
NIH is revising the application and review criteria for fellowship applications, beginning with those submitted January 25, 2025 and beyond. This page describes the goals of the change, implications for those writing and reviewing fellowship applications, and provides links to training and other resources.
Fellowship applications submitted on or after January 25, 2025 will follow a revised application and review criteria. The goal of the changes is to improve the chances that the most promising fellowship candidates will be consistently identified by scientific review panels. The changes will:
- Better focus reviewer attention on three key assessments: the fellowship candidate's preparedness and potential, research training plan, and commitment to the candidate
- Ensure a broad range of candidates and research training contexts can be recognized as meritorious by clarifying and simplifying the language in the application and review criteria
- Reduce bias in review by emphasizing the commitment to the candidate without undue consideration of sponsor and institutional reputation
Background
This page is designed to help you learn more about the peer review process and why we're revising the application and review process for NIH fellowship applications submitted for due dates on or after January 25, 2025.
Changes to Fellowship Applications
Learn more about the changes being made to fellowship application forms and instructions for due dates on or after January 25, 2025.
Changes to the Fellowship Review Criteria
Learn more about the changes being made to the fellowship review criteria for applications submitted for due dates on or after January 25, 2025.
Sponsor Guidance
This page provides information on what is changing for the Sponsors of Candidates applying to fellowships for due dates on or after January 25, 2025.
Candidate Guidance
This page provides guidance for candidates applying to fellowships for due dates on or after January 25, 2025.
Reviewer Guidance (Coming in 2025)
Reviewers will be provided training and guidance materials in Spring 2025 in time for the first review meetings held in the summer of 2025 using the revised review criteria.
Notices, Statements, and Reports
This page provides links to Notices, blog posts, press releases, and other background reports on the revised fellowship application and review criteria.