Temporary, Emergency Situations Due to COVID-19 and Application Scores Received During Peer Review

Sally Amero, Ph.D., NIH’s Review Policy Officerand Extramural Research Integrity Liaison Officer As we continue to address the effects of the COVID-19 public health emergency on NIH-supported research, we are aware of applicant concerns about the potential impact of this temporary emergency situation on the outcome of peer review.  We want to reassure applicants that we released guidance for reviewers that makes it clear that, when reviewing applications during the coronavirus pandemic national emergency, reviewers should assume that issues resulting from the coronavirus pandemic, such as the following, should not affect scores. Some key personnel on grant applications may be called up to serve in patient testing or patient care roles, diverting effort from the proposed researchFeasibility of the proposed approach may be affected, for example if direct patient contact is requiredThe environment may not be functional or accessibleAdditional human subjects protections may be in order, for example if the application was submitted prior to the viral outbreakAnimal welfare may be affected, if institutions are closed temporarilyBiohazards may include insufficient protections for research personnelRecruitment plans and inclusion plans may be delayed, if certain patient populations are affected by the viral outbreakTravel for key personnel or trainees to attend scientific conferences, meetings of consortium leadership, etc., may be postponed temporarilyCurricula proposed in...
Source: NIH Extramural Nexus - Category: Research Authors: Tags: blog Open Mike coronavirus COVID-19 Peer review Source Type: funding