Certified Research Administrator Practice Exam

What role is often involved in the scientific review process of grant applications at NIH?

1. Program Officer

2. Compliance Officer

3. Scientific Review Administrator

4. Grant Management Officer

The correct answer is: Scientific Review Administrator

The scientific review process of grant applications at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) is fundamentally overseen by the Scientific Review Administrator (SRA). The SRA plays a crucial role in organizing the review of grant applications, ensuring that the process adheres to established guidelines and standards. Their responsibilities include assembling a panel of experts in the relevant field, facilitating discussions about the scientific merit of the proposals, and ensuring that the review is conducted in a fair and consistent manner. The SRA also communicates the results of the review to applicants and helps in the decision-making process regarding funding recommendations. This position is key to maintaining the integrity of the grant review process, as the SRA's expertise in handling the logistics and nuances of the review helps ensure that applications are evaluated based on scientific excellence and significance. Other roles, such as Program Officers and Grant Management Officers, while involved in the overall grant administration process, are not primarily responsible for the scientific review itself, which is specifically the purview of the Scientific Review Administrator.