The Scientific Review Officer (SRO) works in partnership with NIAMS staff and the scientific community to ensure that the Scientific Review Group (SRG) identifies the most meritorious science for funding. SROs have multiple responsibilities, some of which include:
- Analyzing the scientific content of grant applications and checking for completeness and compliance with the NOFO;
- Identifying and recruiting reviewers to ensure that the SRG has the expertise needed to evaluate the applications under review;
- Documenting and managing conflicts of interest;
- Assigning the applications to reviewers for critique preparation and assignment of scores and training reviewers;
- Recruiting and training patient representatives to serve on study section;
- Attending and overseeing administrative and regulatory aspects of peer review meetings, training reviewers, and preparing summary statements for all applications reviewed; and,
- Maintaining the core values of peer review (expert assessment, transparency, impartiality, fairness, confidentiality, integrity, security, and efficiency).
In choosing reviewers, the SRO must be able to recognize current trends in the field and ensure that the review panel reflects not only where the field is now but where it is going. Before inviting a potential reviewer, consideration is given to scientific excellence, breadth of expertise, and fairness and evenhandedness in review.
Have Questions or Need More Info?
Visit the NIAMS SRB staff directory.