To better maintain integrity and fairness in the peer review process, NIH’s Center for Scientific Review (CSR) has developed two reviewer training modules:
- A “Review Integrity” module that raises awareness of actions that breach review integrity and provides tools to prevent and report them.
- A “Bias Awareness and Mitigation” module that raises awareness of potential biases in the peer review process and provides strategies to mitigate them.
Peer reviewers, take note: each training will take approximately 30 minutes of your time and must be completed once every 3 years. Be aware that if you have not completed the training within 3 years, you will not be able to access your assigned applications.
NIH Deputy Director for Extramural Research Dr. Michael Lauer points out in his Open Mike blog post “Strengthening Integrity and Fairness in Peer Review Through New Required Trainings” that CSR has successfully implemented both training modules for multiple review cycles.
Demonstrating NIH’s commitment to Integrity and Fairness in Review, over 20,000 reviewers have taken the bias awareness training and over 14,000 have completed the review integrity training. Survey results show that over 90 percent of reviewers reported the training modules were effective and they felt better prepared to take action afterwards.
NIH staff are already required to complete an Implicit Bias Training Course.
For additional information, check the related Frequently Asked Questions.
Note: Effective for the May 2024 Council round (peer review meetings in early 2024), reviewers who have not already completed the trainings will receive an email invitation with the link to complete the trainings. Reviewers will not be able to access their assigned applications and proposals until the trainings are completed.