How to Become a Peer Reviewer

How to Become a Peer Reviewer

National Science Foundation (NSF)
To become an NSF reviewer, send an e-mail to the NSF program officer(s) of the program(s) that fits your expertise. Introduce yourself and 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 2-page CV with current contact information. NSF welcomes qualified reviewers from the academic, industrial, and government sectors.

National Aeronautical and Space Administration (NASA)
Qualified reviewers are invited to express their qualifications, interest, and availability by registering via this website. The registration form is available by clicking on the Register to Be Considered as a Reviewer link.

National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Individuals who possess expertise in areas supported by the NIH and who wish to volunteer to serve in the NIH peer review process should send an email to the relevant Scientific Review Officer (SRO) with a brief description of their areas of expertise in the body of the email (1-2 sentences) and a copy of their biosketch as an attachment.

National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH)
If you’re interested in serving on an application review panel, please use the NEH panelist sign-up form. 

To learn more about the process, read about the NEH's Application Review Process.

Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS)

• Submit your information to Become a Reviewer
• Familiarize yourself with IMLS grant programs:  Read the Notices of Funding Opportunities. 
• Learn about the review process: Access guidance for peer reviewers through the grant program.

National Endowment for the Arts (NEA)
If you’re interested in becoming an NEA panelist, fill out the Volunteer to be a Panelist form.

U.S. Department of Education
Institute of Education Sciences (IES) | Supports education research projects

Learn more or sign up at the Reviewer Recruitment page of PRIMO.

Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE) | Supports institutional projects in higher education

Read the Peer Review FAQ and sign up as a reviewer in G5.*

Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE) | Empowers states, districts, and other organizations to meet the diverse needs of every student by providing leadership, technical assistance, and financial support. To be considered, you must send a copy of your resume (5 pages maximum) to EIRpeerreview@ed.gov.

Then, follow these instructions:

• When the G5 system prompts you for your areas of specialization, select all that are applicable to you.
• Please ensure you select each of the aforementioned content areas for which you have expertise.

* Please note that OESE recently merged with OII, so refer to the link provided above to learn more about becoming a reviewer for OESE.

Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA)
If you are working in, or knowledgeable about healthcare services, register in our Reviewer Recruitment Module (RRM).  HRSA especially wants to identify qualified reviewers with expertise in social, cultural or health care issues of rural, migrant or Native American populations. 

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
For SAMHSA to consider you as a peer grant reviewer, complete the peer reviewer online application form.

An optional document should list and describe your specific experiences and area(s) of expertise from the past 5-10 years that relate to current RFAs.

Prospective peer reviewers should visit the main grants page to learn about current Requests for Applications (RFAs) and find out more about the topic areas.