Expert Review for Grant Proposals


The Office of Research Services provides investigators with an opportunity to have their external grant proposals reviewed by an experienced researcher prior to submission. The external grant can be an initial proposal or a resubmission of an unfunded previously submitted proposal. 

How are proposal reviewers selected and compensated?

  • Most often, PIs identify a colleague external to USU and reach out to them.
  • A reviewer should have both content expertise and experience obtaining and/or reviewing grants from the targeted funding agency.
  • The Proposal Development team can help with identifying prospective reviewers and providing guidance on the process to both the PI and the reviewer.
  • Reviewers receive compensation from the Office of Research Services and understand that a thorough and substantive review is expected.

This expert review is intended to enhance the services provided by the Proposal Development division and is not a substitute for the comprehensive support offered for the entire proposal development and submission process.

Advantages of engaging an expert reviewer:

  • You will gain critical feedback on scientific content of the proposal in light of the current state of the art for your field of research.
  • Experienced reviewers can provide insight about the sponsor priorities, review criteria and process as they pertain to your research area.
  • Connecting with well-established colleagues in your research area can spark future new collaborations.
  • Builds in more time for revision and refinement based on external reviewer feedback by establishing an earlier deadline to complete the initial proposal narrative draft.
  • Above all – an expert review consistently results in a stronger and more competitive proposal being submitted to the sponsor.

How does the proposal review process work?

  1. Investigators indicate their interest in engaging a reviewer for their proposal via the Proposal Assistance Request form at least SIX WEEKS prior to their submission The Proposal Development team will follow up to begin the process with the PI.

  2. The PI must provide a draft of the full proposal narrative and any other materials they would like reviewed at least FOUR WEEKS prior to the submission If the proposal is a resubmission, the PI should also include copies of previous reviews.

  3. The PI and reviewer may determine a timeline for completion of the review, but it will be no later than TWO WEEKS prior to the submission deadline. Reviewers must be given at least 2 weeks to complete a review unless otherwise agreed upon by the PI and reviewer.

  4. The reviewer will provide feedback in the form of tracked changes and comments in a document file as well as narrative feedback according to the review criteria for the solicitation. The intent is to give the PI feedback to strengthen both the content and presentation of the proposal as well as any other input they believe would be helpful.