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Core Values of Peer Review Alan L. Willard, Ph.D. Chair, Review Policy Committee Chief, Scientific Review Branch NINDS National Institutes of Health

3 Guidance (1): The NIH Mission The mission of NIH is to support and conduct scientific research in pursuit of fundamental knowledge about the nature and behavior of living systems and the application of that knowledge to extend healthy life and reduce the burdens of illness and disability for all citizens. To accomplish this, the NIH:  Fosters fundamental creative discoveries, innovative research strategies, and their applications as a basis to advance significantly the Nation's capacity to protect and improve health.  Develops, maintains, and renews scientific, human, and physical resources that will assure the Nation's capability to prevent disease.  Expands the knowledge base in medical and associated sciences in order to enhance the Nation's economic well-being and ensure a continued high return on the public investment in research.  Exemplifies and promotes the highest level of scientific integrity, public accountability, and social responsibility in the conduct of science.

4 Guidance (2): Laws & Policies  Title 42 of the US Code of Federal Regulations (Public Health Service)  Federal Advisory Committee Act  Privacy Act of 1974  Government in the Sunshine Act  HHS Grants Administration Manual  NIH Manual Chapters  CSR SRA Handbook

5 Core Values of NIH Peer Review Scientific and Technical Competence Fairness and Objectivity

6 To Achieve Scientific and Technical Competence (1) Ensure that requests for NIH support are evaluated by groups of qualified individuals who possess (collectively):  Appropriate scientific and technical expertise to evaluate critical aspects of requests for NIH support;  The capability to make objective judgments in a broad scientific context;  The flexibility and receptivity necessary to address new areas of science and new technologies.

7 To Achieve Scientific and Technical Competence (2)  Encourage open exchange of competing points of view.  Monitor the process to ensure scientific and technical competence.

8 To Achieve Fairness and Objectivity (1)  Manage conflicts of interest and other influences on the review process, thereby keeping it independent from sources of potential bias that could inappropriately influence the outcome.

9 To Achieve Fairness and Objectivity (2)  Encourage informed participation in the evaluation by all members of the review group.  Apply review criteria appropriately and consistently throughout the process.  Implement policies and procedures consistently and equally for all research projects and applicants.

10 To Achieve Fairness and Objectivity (3)  Maintain confidentiality of applicants' ideas and reviewers' opinions.  Make information on the peer review process available.  Monitor the process to ensure fairness and objectivity.

11 The Core Values Committee Beebe, Deborah (NHLBI) Corsaro, Cheryl (CSR) Hornbeak, Hortencia (NIAID) Levitin, Teresa (NIDA) Richters, John (NINR) Rushing, Paul (NIDDK) Weller, Robert (CSR) Chair: Elliot Postow (CSR) With thoughtful input from the entire Review Policy Committee.