Review Criteria (NRSA)
These criteria apply equally to F30 (PA-25-426), F31 (PA-25-422), and F32 (PA-25-423). There are no differences in the scored criteria across award types. Items marked (Clinical trials only) apply only to applications proposing clinical trial experience as part of the research training.
Reviewers assign an overall impact score reflecting the likelihood that the fellowship will enhance the candidate’s potential for, and commitment to, a productive independent scientific research career. Candidates will also be scored in each of these three criteria.
Criterion 1: Candidate’s Goals, Preparedness and Potential
| Sub-criterion |
Where to Address It |
| Discuss the candidate’s previous educational, scientific and professional experience in terms of how it prepares the candidate for the proposed research training plan. Consider the context, for example, the candidate’s stage of training and the opportunities available. |
Candidate’s Goals, Preparedness, and Potential, Sponsor’s Statement,Letters of Reference |
| Assess whether the candidate and sponsor statements as well as the referee letters provide convincing evidence that the candidate possesses qualities (such as scientific understanding, creativity, curiosity, resourcefulness and drive) that will improve the likelihood of a successful research training outcome. |
Candidate’s Goals, Preparedness, and Potential, Sponsor’s Statement, Letters of Reference |
| Consider the candidate’s potential to benefit from the fellowship research training plan and to transition to the next career stage in the biomedical research workforce. |
Candidate’s Goals, Preparedness, and Potential, Training Activities and Timeline |
Criterion 2: Research Training Plan
| Sub-criterion |
Where to Address It |
| Assess the rigor and feasibility of the research training project and how completion of the project will contribute to the development of the candidate as a research scientist. |
Aims, Research Training Project Strategy |
| Evaluate the goals of the overall research training plan and the extent to which the plan will facilitate the attainment of the goals. |
Training Activities and Timeline |
| Discuss whether the research training plan identifies areas of needed development and contains appropriate, realistic activities and milestones to address those needs. |
Training Activities and Timeline |
| Consider whether the sponsor(s), scientific environment, facilities and resources are adequate and appropriate for the proposed research training plan. |
Sponsor’s Statement, Facilities and Environment |
| (Clinical trials only) If the candidate is proposing to gain experience in a clinical trial as part of his or her research training, is there evidence of the appropriate expertise, experience, resources, and ability on the part of the sponsor(s) to guide the applicant during the clinical trial research experience? |
Training Activities and Timeline, Research Training Project Strategy |
Criterion 3: Commitment to Candidate, Mentoring and Training Environment
| Sub-criterion |
Where to Address It |
| Assess whether the sponsor(s) presents a strong mentoring plan appropriate to the needs and goals of the candidate. |
Sponsor’s Statement, Candidate’s Goals, Preparedness, and Potential |
| Evaluate the extent to which the sponsor(s) and organizational commitment is appropriate, sufficient and in alignment with the candidate’s research training plan. |
Sponsor’s Statement, Facilities and Environment |
| Consider whether the level of the commitment provided will contribute to the successful completion of the proposed plan and allow the candidate to advance to a productive career in the biomedical research workforce. |
Sponsor’s Statement |
| (Clinical trials only) If proposed, will the clinical trial experience contribute to the proposed project and/or the candidate’s research training? |
Sponsor’s Statement |
Additional Review Considerations (not scored separately)