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NIH revises grant review process to emphasize merit and reduce bias

November/December 2023 | Volume 22 Number 6

An illustration of a computer screen with the word 'grants' on it

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has revamped its grant review process, to create an environment where the most promising and innovative research projects receive the support they deserve. The new process focuses on scientific merit and reflects NIH’s commitment to reducing reputational bias in its evaluation of grant proposals. The new framework will be implemented for grant applications received on or after January 25, 2025.

In the current system, five criteria are scored individually using a common scale. The new, simplified review framework reorganizes these criteria into three factors. The first two factors—the importance of research and rigor and feasibility—are scored using a common scale. The third and final factor—expertise, and resources—is evaluated for sufficiency only and not given a numeric score.

The intent is to reduce the weight of an institution's or investigator’s reputation and elevate the merit of the proposed research, ideally creating a fair and equitable system that provides equal opportunities for all researchers.

Learn more about the upcoming changes to the NIH grant review process

More information

Updated: November 30, 2023

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