Reviewer Pathway

The Reviewer Pathway is a comprehensive suite of learning and capacity development programs aimed at supporting the development of peer review skills across career stages, expertise and background, such as patients and knowledge users.

The Pathway will incorporate both new and existing programming in an effort to ensure excellence in the peer review system. The objectives of the Pathway are to:

  • Strengthen the peer review system by providing individuals with opportunities to gain a better understanding of the elements of high-quality review and the peer review process.
  • Provide individuals with knowledge to improve their understanding of a high-quality application.
  • Increase capacity and engagement across career stages and reviewer backgrounds (e.g. knowledge users) in the peer review process.
  • Increase overall diversity, develop long-term relationships and facilitate entry into the College of Reviewers.
  • Provide stronger support and develop relationships with research institutions and our funding partners.

For more information, Please contact CIHR's College of Reviewers team.

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  • Trainee
  • Postdoctoral fellow
  • Early Career Researcher
  • Mid Career Researcher
  • Senior Career Researcher

  • Mock Review Toolkit

    The Mock Review Toolkit is a set of resources designed to support the planning and delivery of mock peer review.

    The Toolkit was designed to allow individuals to familiarize themselves with CIHR's peer review process by simulating the Project Grant Competition and will, over time, expand to include other CIHR grants and awards programs. Using the Toolkit as a resource, users will be able plan, organize and run mock peer review sessions, from a light round table to a full mock review panel.

    Who is it for?

    The Toolkit is intended to accommodate a wide range of audiences, from university administrators looking to host a mock peer review session at their institution, to trainees, such as PhDs and postdocs, looking to learn more about CIHR's peer review process.

    What's in the Toolkit?

    The Toolkit contains the resources needed to allow a user to run mock peer review in a relatively independent manner, including:

    • three simulation models that users can follow from start to finish
    • template spreadsheets to plan logistics, including Reviewer and application assignments and the tracking of timelines and deadlines
    • template invitation emails and promotional materials for the mock review simulation
    • a conflict of interest and confidentiality agreement for both facilitators and participants
    • pre-simulation training materials and pre-recorded presentations for participants available on demand
    • mock applications, reviews, and Scientific Officer notes available on demand

    Check out the Mock Review Toolkit

  • Postdoctoral Fellow (PDF) Review Program

    Description:

    Developing peer review skills through hands-on experience is important for the career development of emerging researchers. The PDF Review Program invites postdoctoral fellows to participate as reviewers for the Doctoral Research Award (DRA) competitions.

    Prior to reviewing in the DRA competitions, participants are expected to complete the following eLearning Modules:

    Additional materials for conducting reviews, such as the peer review guide and the funding opportunity details will be provided. Participants are expected to familiarize themselves with all competition-specific learning and materials prior to conducting reviews.

    Objective:

    • To give PDFs an opportunity to develop their peer review skills.

    Eligibility:

    • PDFs must hold a PhD; and
    • PDFs must have received an award from CIHR or be funded by a CIHR grant. Priority will be given to PDFs who currently hold a CIHR Fellowship Award.

    For more information:

    Interested PDFs should contact CIHR's College of Reviewers team for more information about the Program.

  • Early Career Researcher (ECR) Awards Review Program

    Description

    The ECR Awards Review Program is designed to help Early Career Researchers develop peer review skills through hands-on experience. This Program invites Early Career Researchers to review in the CIHR Fellowship Awards competition and provides an additional opportunity along the Reviewer Pathway for Early Career Researchers to review at CIHR.

    Prior to reviewing in the Fellowship Awards competition, participants are expected to complete the following eLearning Modules:

    Additional materials for conducting reviews, such as the peer review guide and the funding opportunity details will be provided. Participants are expected to familiarize themselves with all competition-specific learning and materials prior to conducting reviews.

    Objective:

    • To give Early Career Researchers additional opportunities to develop their peer review skills.

    Eligibility:

    How to apply:

    All applicants to the Reviewer in Training (RiT) program will automatically be considered, based on expertise, for the ECR Awards Review Program.

    Interested Early Career Researchers who have not applied to the RiT program should contact CIHR's College of Reviewers team.

    For more information:

    Please contact CIHR's College of Reviewers team.

  • Reviewer in Training (RiT) Program

    Description:

    The CIHR Reviewer in Training (RiT) Program runs twice a year during the Spring and Fall Project Grant Competitions. It offers Early Career Researchers (ECRs) an opportunity to learn how to create high-quality reviews and experience the peer review process as either a Mentee or ECR Reviewer.

    Mentees

    Mentees participate in the Project Grant competition with the support of a Mentor. They write practice reviews on up to three applications, attend the peer review meeting, present one review, and participate in the committee discussions.

    Eligibility

    • Must meet CIHR’s definition of an ECR and be working at a Canadian institution on the application deadline for the current Project Grant Competition.
    • Candidates who are submitting applications as a Nominated Principal Applicant (NPA) or Principal Applicant (PA) in the current Project Grant competition are eligible for this opportunity. However, they will not be selected for a committee to which they have applied or that is adjudicating their submission.
    • Must not have previously participated in the RiT Program.
    • Must not have previously reviewed for the Project Grant competition.
    • Must not be full College members.

    ECR Reviewers

    ECR Reviewers participate in the same capacity as all reviewers without the support of a Mentor and have access to the supportive resources that CIHR provides to committee members. They review a reduced number of applications (up to five), are able to present their assigned applications later in the meeting, contribute to scoring and budget discussions, and participate in the committee discussions.

    Eligibility

    • Must meet CIHR’s definition of an ECR and be working at a Canadian institution on the application deadline for the current Project Grant Competition.
    • Candidates who are submitting applications as a Nominated Principal Applicant (NPA) or Principal Applicant (PA) in the current Project Grant competition are eligible for this opportunity. However, they will not be selected for a committee to which they have applied or that is adjudicating their submission.
    • Must not have previously participated in the RiT Program as an ECR Reviewer.
    • Must not have previously reviewed for the Project Grant competition.
    • Must have at least one recent federally funded (or equivalent) peer reviewed grant as a Principal Investigator.
    • Applicants who have previously participated as a Mentee, and now meet these criteria, are eligible to participate as an ECR Reviewer.

    Following successful completion of the RiT Program, participants will be promoted within CIHR's Reviewer Pathway and are encouraged to participate in peer review when requested and available to do so.

    How to apply:

    Please see the RiT Program webpage for full eligibility criteria, and all other relevant information. Apply to the Program through the latest call for applications. If you have any other questions about the Program, please contact CIHR's College of Reviewers team.

  • Associate Member Program

    Description:

    The Associate Member Program is designed for individuals who do not yet have all of the peer review experience necessary to become Full College Members.

    After accepting the invitation to join the College, Associate Members will be asked to complete or update their Reviewer Profile and complete two learning modules on Bias in Peer Review and Conducting Quality Reviews (less than 30 minutes total). Associate Members will then be invited to participate as a peer reviewer for one or two competitions, and depending on the peer review experience, will be required to complete review quality assurance activities in a supported manner to build their reviewing skills and experiences. Materials for conducting reviews, such as the peer review guide, committee’s mandate, and the funding opportunity details, will be provided and Associate Members will also be asked to complete the competition-specific learning prior to conducting their reviews.

    After Associate Members complete their quality-assured peer review activities and meet all of the membership selection criteria, they will be invited to become a full College Member.

    When invited to review, Associate Members can request:

    • A reduced review workload;
    • The option to present later in the committee meeting; and
    • Access to a mentor.

    Objectives:

    The Associate Member Program provides:

    • A College membership opportunity for new or less experienced reviewers;
    • Learning and support activities to build, develop and enhance reviewing skills;
    • Hands-on peer review experience to reinforce how to conduct quality reviews.

    Eligibility:

    • Knowledge and experience within CIHR's mandate
    • Academic/professional appointment
    • At least one federally funded (or equivalent) peer-reviewed grant as a Principal Investigator

    For more information:

    Please contact CIHR's College of Reviewers team.

  • Full College Member

    Description:

    Full College Members are an esteemed group of individuals that have agreed to contribute to CIHR's peer review processes. They meet specific criteria gained through prior peer review and grant experiences; have extensive knowledge within CIHR’s mandate; and hold an academic/professional appointment at a recognized institution.

    Eligibility:

    • Knowledge and experience within CIHR's mandate;
    • An Academic/professional appointment;
    • Participation in at least two peer review roles at CIHR or other recognized organizations; and
    • At least one federally funded (or equivalent) peer reviewed grant as a Principal Investigator

    For more information, or to nominate yourself or another candidate, please visit 'Become a College member'.

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