Are you an early career researcher eager to contribute to the scientific community and gain invaluable experience in grant proposal review? The NIH Early Career Reviewer (ECR) Program offers a fantastic opportunity to do just that. This program, facilitated by the Center for Scientific Review (CSR) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), is designed to identify and cultivate promising early career scientists for participation in NIH peer review.
Using the ECR Application and Vetting System (EAVS), enrolling in or updating your information for the program is straightforward. ECRs remain active in the program as long as they meet the eligibility criteria. It’s important to note that if your career progresses to the point where you receive substantial funding like an R01 grant, you will be removed from the ECR database, even if you haven’t yet served as a reviewer. To maintain an active status, you’ll receive an automated email annually to confirm your continued interest and to update your information. Failure to respond will result in removal from the program, though re-enrollment is always an option if you are removed in error.
The NIH ECR program is highly competitive, with demand for ECR reviewers significantly exceeding the available slots. Acceptance into the program means your profile is included in a database that NIH Scientific Review Officers (SROs) utilize to identify suitable reviewers with specific scientific expertise. To maximize your chances of being selected as a reviewer, proactive engagement is recommended. Directly contacting SROs who manage study sections aligned with your research interests is a highly effective strategy. SRO contact details are readily available on individual study section pages, and they encourage interested ECRs to reach out.
Before initiating your application, it’s crucial to thoroughly review the program criteria to ensure you meet the eligibility requirements. If you are eligible, the enrollment process can be started via the link provided below.
To streamline your application, ensure you have the following readily available:
- Comprehensive CV: Prepare a full and current Curriculum Vitae in Word or PDF format. Note that an NIH biosketch is not required for this application.
- Keywords of Expertise: Compile a list of keywords and phrases that accurately represent your scientific expertise, technical skills, and research interests. These terms will help SROs find you when searching for reviewers with specific backgrounds.
- NIH Commons ID: Have your NIH Commons ID ready. Please be aware that this is case-sensitive.
- Relevant Study Sections: Identify up to four CSR study sections that closely match your research interests and expertise. You can search for study sections here to find the best fits.
- Email and Password for EAVS: You will be prompted to create a username (ideally your institutional email address) and password to access the EAVS system. This will allow you to manage your application and profile.
Should you have any questions or require assistance, please do not hesitate to contact the Nih Early Career Reviewer Program team at [email protected].
Enroll Here
By joining the NIH Early Career Reviewer Program, you are taking a significant step in your professional development, contributing to the rigor of NIH grant review, and networking with established scientists in your field. This is a valuable service to the scientific community and a prestigious addition to your CV.
