Serving as a grant proposal review panelist is an excellent way to learn about the grant process, become familiar with a particular grant program and/or funding agency, learn about innovations in your area of interest, and network with colleagues and funding agency representatives in your field. Review panel service is one of the single best ways to prepare yourself to develop a grant proposal.
Federal Agency Peer Review
Many federal agencies rely heavily on volunteers from the academic community to provide expertise and impartiality to their review process. If you are interested in review panel service, click on the links below for additional information and instructions on how you can become a review panelist.
Administration for Children and Families (ACF)
Administration for Community Living (ACL)
Employment and Training Administration (ETA)
Health Resources & Service Administration (HRSA)
Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS)
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
National Endowment for the Arts (NEA)
National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH)
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
National Science Foundation (NSF)
NSF Directorate for Engineering
NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
Educational Resources on Opportunities for Peer Review
NIH Peer Review: “Live” Mock Study Section with Q&A
Presented at 2021 NIH Virtual Seminar on Program Funding & Grants Administration
November 2, 2021
NSF Grant Reviewer Tells All
By Pamela L. Member
Science, April 11, 2003
How to Become a Grant Reviewer
By Karen M. Markin
The Chronicle of Higher Education, July 2, 2008
Why I Became a Grant Reviewer
By Katharine E. Stewart
The Chronicle of Higher Education, March 21, 2013
Related Pages
Preliminary Proposals
Find guidance on preparing white papers, pre-proposals, letters of inquiry, and letters of intent, including sponsor expectations, submission requirements, and OSP review.
Application Review Process
Learn best practices for writing competitive grant proposals, including how to address reviewers, organize your narrative, avoid common pitfalls, and strengthen your chances of funding.
Writing a Successful Proposal
Learn how to develop a strong grant proposal, including key elements of a compelling project narrative, proposal strategy, and best practices for demonstrating impact, feasibility, and investigator qualifications.
External Peer Review Program
Explore the External Peer Review Program for grant proposals, including eligibility requirements, external reviewer process, honoraria, and proposal development support from the Office of Research Development.