Are you looking to increase your chances of submitting a
successful grant application? If so, you should consider becoming a federal
grant reviewer!
Most agencies like to engage grant peer-reviewers from various
fields to read applications and provide an analysis and rating of the quality
of each grant application based upon the application requirements and selection
criteria.
The grant review experience will help you gain knowledge in
preparing grant applications and provide you with an in-depth look at the grant
evaluation process. It also gives you the opportunity to network with
other professionals in your field and federal officials. Being a grant
reviewer will expose you to new ideas that you may be able to bring back and
implement in your own profession or agency.
Each agency has a different process, and some even offer
compensation for your time and efforts. Highlighted below are some of the key
offices and/or divisions within federal agencies that are seeking peer
reviewers and a brief narrative on how to get involved.
Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA)
The BJA looks for peer reviewers with expertise in a broad
range of criminal justice backgrounds including but not limited to crime
prevention, adjudication, law enforcement and gangs, tribal justice,
corrections, research and statistics, information, technology and social
services. Participants will review remotely but are required to participate in
an orientation call before beginning their reviews. Reviewers will score
10-20 applications within 2 weeks, and are paid $125 per application. To
become a reviewer, you can submit a current resume including an e-mail address
to Chris Casto at Chris.Casto@usdoj.gov,
and for more information you can visit their website by clicking here.
Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention
(OJJDP) U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ)
The OJJDP is seeking researchers and practitioners with
expertise related to the juvenile justice field. Those interested are
asked to email their current resume along with a brief explanation of their
justice-related knowledge and experience (gangs, substance abuse, mentoring,
tribal juvenile justice, etc.) to OJJDPConsultantpool@usdoj.gov.
Reviewers will be compensated for their services. Additional information
can be found on OJJDP’s website
under funding inquiries.
Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), Office of Justice
Program (OJP), DOJ
The OJP seeks qualified professionals to evaluate grant
applications based on the specialist’s expertise, demographics and prior experience
as a reviewer. A reviewer generally has 2-4 weeks to review 10-30
applications and is asked to participate in a webinar, call, or in-person peer
review that lasts 1-2 days. Non-federal reviewers are compensated $125
per application. To start the process or for more information, email the OJP at
ojppeerreview@lmbps.com, and visit
their website.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
The EPA conducts peer review on applications submitted in
response to extramural research competitions. To become a reviewer,
experts may nominate themselves to be part of the Peer Reviewer Information
System (PRIS) by sending an email request including brief curriculum vitae to
Benjamin Packard, Packard.benjamin@epa.gov.
For more information on becoming an EPA reviewer, click here.
Department of Transportation (DOT)
The Department of Transportation does have grant reviewers
for specific grant programs. For more information on those grants, you
can visit DOT’s website here.
Department of Labor (DOL)
To become a reviewer, prospective panelists must complete a
panelist profile including contact information, your area of expertise, a brief
bio and an updated resume. Secondly, one must complete an online training
module and lastly, must rate a sample grant application and document evaluative
feedback in a Panelist Rating Workbook. Each panelist can expect a workload of
10-15 applications. You can register online, or can contact
Linda Metchikoff-Hooker, a DOL contractor for the grant reviewing process at
(714) 434-3553 or lindamh@pep8a.com.
Institute of Museum and Library Science (IMLS)
The IMLS urges future reviewers to familiarize themselves
with IMLS grant programs and read existing reviewer handbooks before
considering becoming a panelist. IMLS looks for museum reviewers and library
reviewers, each expertise deals with different grants. If you are still
interested, your information can be submitted online or you can contact
the IMLS Office of Library Services at (202) 653- 4700 or Libraryreviewers@imls.gov.
National Institute of Health (NIH)
The NIH looks for peer reviewers who have previously
received grant support for the NIH as well as scientists who are well-qualified
and accomplished to review applications for funding and R&D contract
proposals. To be added to the database of reviewer volunteers, email Reviewervolunteer@mail.nih.gov
with 1-2 sentences describing you area of expertise and a copy of a brief bio.
Additional information can be found here.
Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS)
The CNCS looks for reviewers with at least 5 years of
experience in a field such as education, research, analysis, literacy, human
services, nonprofit, grant writing, public health and environment. To
become a reviewer, you must complete an online application.
If you have any questions, you can contact CNCS at peerreviewers@cns.gov. For basic
information on becoming a peer reviewer, visit their website.
Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) at
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
HRSA looks for grant reviewers with expertise in HIV/AIDS,
organ transplant, rural health, primary care for underserved people, maternal
and child health and health professions training. These grant reviews are
usually held in Washington, DC for 3 to 5 days, while some are conducted via
teleconference or independently reviewed remotely. If travel is
necessary, HRSA makes arrangements and pays for travel expenses.
Reviewers receive an honorarium for their services. For information on
being a reviewer and how to apply, click here, or for
inquiries on the process, you can contact the HRSA at callcenter@hrsa.gov.
Administration for Children and Families (ACF) at HHS
At the ACF there are opportunities to be a grant reviewer
for ACF programs such as the Administration on Children, Youth and Families
(ACYF), the Administration for Native Americans (ANA), Administration on
Developmental Disabilities (ADD), the Office of Community Services (OCS), the
Office of Family Assistance Child Care Bureau (CCB) and the Office of Head
Start (OHS). Each program has a different way to apply to be a grant
reviewer. For more information, click here.
Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) with the
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
The ONDCP and the SAMHSA look for reviewers with experience
and knowledge in mental health services, community-based system of care and
services for adults with mental illnesses, children with serious emotional
disturbances, substance abuse prevention and substance abuse treatment
services, programs and activities. If chosen, reviewers are for selected
for particular grant programs based on their knowledge, education and
experience. Some grant reviews will require on site meetings usually in
Washington, DC, however it varies depending on the grant being reviewed.
The reviewers receive taxable compensation for their services. For more
information, visit SAMHSA’s
website. To apply, you can fill out a reviewer contact form online or
download the form at the bottom of the given website. To email the form
and submit your resume electronically, email reviewer@samhsa.hhs.gov.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Firefighter
Grant
In the case of FEMA firefighter grant peer review
opportunities, FEMA directly contacts the National Association of State Fire
Marshalls. The Association then contacts stations in the area that would
be of assistance.
