After gathering significant feedback from the extramural community, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) will begin taking steps to simplify its grant review process.  The simplified review framework will focus peer review on the key questions needed to assess the scientific and technical merit of proposed research projects – should and can the proposed research project be conducted?

The changes will help reviewers focus on the potential for proposed research to advance scientific knowledge and improve human health.

Previously, five criteria were individually scored using a common scale. The simplified review framework reorganizes these criteria into three factors.

• Two of these factors – importance of research and rigor and feasibility – are scored using a common scale.
• A third factor, expertise and resources, is evaluated for sufficiency only and not given a numeric score.

Additionally, these changes reduce administrative duties of peer reviewers, shifting them to NIH staff instead, thereby allowing reviewers to focus on the science.

The simplified review framework will be implemented for grant applications received on or after Jan. 25, 2025.

NIH News Release here.