The Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools (OSDFS) is seeking grant application reviewers who have expertise in drug abuse prevention, violence prevention, and other subject areas relevant to OSDFS discretionary grant programs.

Reviewers play a significant role in the grant application process. They read and score applications against the selection criteria published in the Federal Register to determine that the applications meet all of the program requirements.

Who Are Peer Reviewers?

Peer reviewers are people just like you. A qualified peer reviewer is someone who has relevant education, training, or experience in the subject area of the grant competition; exhibits a basic knowledge of common computer functions; has access to the Internet;
can successfully complete a Web-based training course; and will commit the time necessary to complete the review on schedule.

There are many benefits to serving as a reviewer. Reviewers receive a modest honorarium for completing their work in its entirety. They also gain valuable insight into the federal grant review process and the strategies and methods ED uses to determine awarded grants.

What Do Peer Reviewers Do?

Each reviewer is assigned to a panel to read and score a group of assigned applications. They read and evaluate up to 12 applications each, score them based on the extent to which the applicant addresses each selection criterion and accompanying subelement, post their scores and comments on a secure online system, and participate in three conference calls over an 8-10 day period. Most reviewers spend approximately three hours per day on any given review.

The federal grant team monitoring the competition then conducts an internal review to ensure that the reviewers' scoring sheets are correctly completed and that comments support assigned scores, and to verify that the applications meet all the requirements of the program.

In FY 2003, OSDFS recruited 364 different peer reviewers from all 50 states for 9 grant competitions. Some reviewers reviewed for more than one competition.

How Are Peer Reviewers Selected?

Peer reviewers are selected on the basis of their experience in designated program areas. A peer reviewer is expected to draw upon his or her expertise in evaluating applications according to published selection criteria.
In addition, a reviewer is expected to complete an online training and confirm his or her ability to:

• provide a specific and well-documented evaluation of each application;
• prepare constructive written comments that are clear and easy to understand;
• evaluate applications independently of any personal feelings or knowledge he or she may have about an applicant;
• maintain confidentiality;
• participate in panel discussions on each application via telephone;
• report any conflict of interest; and
• review applications solely on the basis of the selection criteria published in the Federal Register.

How Can You Become a Peer Reviewer?

To become a peer reviewer for OSDFS, you must first register online at www.osdfspeerreview.org. Click on the New Reviewer Registration link on the right side of the page. Complete all required fields and submit a resume online. You also will be able to identify specific grant competitions in which you are interested. While it will be several months before any reviews are scheduled, recruiting takes place year round.

If you have additional questions, please e-mail the peer review support team at:
customerservice@esi-dc.com.