The Power of Peer Review: Propelling Partnerships and Professional Growth
Sept. 24, 2024—Many government agencies use a peer review process to identify the most promising grant proposals for funding. The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) alone relies on volunteers for 240,000 reviews a year. But serving on a review panel is more than just an act of goodwill; it also brings a host of benefits to the reviewer. By lending your expertise and advice through the review process, you can expand your network, stay informed on current trends in research areas important to your interests, and discover ways to sharpen your own proposals—all while contributing to the national research and innovation ecosystem.
Benefits of review
Agencies worldwide rely heavily on volunteer subject matter experts to evaluate the merits of proposals and give constructive comments to proposers to strengthen their projects. While everyone is busy with their day job and personal responsibilities, serving as a reviewer is a worthwhile time investment.
Assessing proposals offers exposure to the “other side” of the award process, providing a deeper understanding of how review criteria are developed and applied. Connecting with other reviewers and agency contacts can help build professional networks to support future career growth. Making positive contributions to the review pipeline can deepen relationships between reviewers and agencies, delivering insights that aren’t necessarily in the agency’s procedure guide.
“Serving as a reviewer allows you to gain a perspective and understanding that can only be obtained by being directly involved in the peer review process,” said Tony Boccanfuso, president and CEO of UIDP, who serves regularly as an NSF reviewer.
These benefits help proposers build more competitive, aligned proposals in pursuit of their own funding. It also raises awareness of the agency’s priorities. Ultimately, reviewing proposals contributes to the health of the research landscape by helping to get much-needed funding to researchers with meritorious ideas.
Becoming a reviewer
The review process varies between different agencies and from country to country. At NSF, proposals are examined by peers and then evaluated by program officers. Division directors then assess the recommendation in the context of other proposals and available funding. NSF program officers are responsible for identifying experts in their fields for review panels. Usually, proposals are reviewed by at least three volunteer participants before moving forward. To become a reviewer for NSF, contact the NSF officer for the program that best fits your interest and expertise and let them know you’d like to participate. (Learn more about the NSF process.)
U.K. Research and Innovation (UKRI) uses a slightly different approach. Experts are appointed in their research areas to initially review applications, and then a panel of experts evaluates proposals and makes funding recommendations. Each research council within UKRI publishes specific information about its own assessment and decision-making processes, which may differ from overall UKRI processes. The steps to become a UKRI reviewer may vary based on the particular council. Some offer public guidance on how to join their peer review colleges through self-nomination or external nomination. Other councils may announce calls to join their peer review colleges. Ultimately, those selected will receive an e-mail from UKRI asking them to assess an application, which they can accept or decline. (Find more information on the UKRI review process here and information for reviewers here.)
Why it matters
Agencies worldwide rely on experts’ goodwill, time, energy, and knowledge to evaluate proposals for funding. Serving as a reviewer helps move research funding forward and offers benefits to reviewers through new professional connections, new insight for crafting their own proposals, and a glimpse into new directions for research within their area of expertise.
We want to hear from you. Have you ever served as a reviewer for a funding agency? Let us know on LinkedIn.