The success of the merit review process, which enables the U.S. National Science Foundation to make wise investments in all fields of science and engineering research and education, depends on the willingness of a diverse pool of qualified reviewers like you to share your time and expertise. Your experience and up-to-date knowledge enable you to provide helpful advice to NSF program officers on the merits of proposals and constructive comments to proposers that strengthen their projects.
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How to become a reviewer
If you are interested in becoming a reviewer for the NSF Directorate for Biological Sciences, please complete the survey for the division(s) with which you believe your expertise aligns:
- Division of Biological Infrastructure (DBI)
- Division of Environmental Biology (DEB)
- Division of Integrative Organismal Systems (IOS)
- Division of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences (MCB): If you are interested in reviewing proposals submitted to MCB, please send an e-mail to the MCB program officer(s) of the program(s) that fits your expertise. Introduce yourself, identify your areas of expertise and let them know that you are interested in becoming a peer reviewer. It is most helpful if you also attach a two-page curriculum vitae with current contact information.
What does a reviewer do?
Reviews come in two types — ad hoc and panelist. These two roles are complementary.
- An "ad hoc" reviewer is solicited to review just one proposal at a time (rarely two) and does not attend the panel. The individual ratings from ad hoc reviewers are provided to the panelists after the panelists have submitted their reviews and in time for the panel discussion. Ad hoc reviewers are not reimbursed for their time.
- A panelist reviews a relatively large number of proposals, rating each one. Each proposal is reviewed by multiple panelists, and then all panelists participate in a multiday discussion of each proposal's merits. Panels can be in-person or virtual. In-person panelists are reimbursed for travel costs to NSF headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia, and both in-person and virtual panelists are provided a flat rate for their time.
Benefits of serving as a reviewer
In addition to providing a great service to NSF and the science and engineering community, reviewers benefit from reviewing and serving on panels. For example, reviewers gain first-hand knowledge of the peer review process, learn about common problems with proposals, discover strategies to write strong proposals, and, through serving on a panel, meet colleagues and NSF program officers managing programs related to their interests.