Review Process

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REVIEW PROCESS

In April, International Pilot grant applications are received and evaluated by local, national, and international experts. Each application receives at least two reviews from experts selected for their knowledge of the subject matter and lack of conflict of interest. These reviewers rate each application on a number of criteria, including the applicant's eligibility, the application's scientific merit, relevance to HIV research, and potential to generate subsequent grants and publications. Reviewers assign scores to each application and write constructive critiques.

The Core Co-Directors and the International Core Advisory Board consider the pool of applications and their respective reviews. Final funding decisions are made by the Core Co-Directors and SD CFAR leadership based on availability of funds and the merit of submitted applications.

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ELIGIBILITY
Reviewers assess the eligibility of each applicant and assign a rating, with preference given to junior-level investigators who have no other NIH or equivalent funding. Please review our eligibility requirements before you apply.
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SCIENTIFIC MERIT
Pilot grant reviewers are renowned experts in all areas of HIV research. They evaluate each application on its creativity, feasibility in an international setting, and potential contribution to the current body of scientific knowledge..
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RELEVANCE
Pilot grant applications must address an aspect of HIV research relevant to the investigator's home country or propose a new concept that has yet to be studied in depth. Studies will be considered in any area of basic science, clinical research, or public health research that are in alignment with HIV research priorities established by the Office of AIDS Research. Applications that do not concern one or more of these priorities will not be considered for SD CFAR funding. We encourage applicants to use services from our other Cores when appropriate for the application, though use of San Diego CFAR Cores is not required.
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POTENTIAL
The San Diego CFAR is funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Our continued funding requires proof of our overall contribution to HIV research. Consequently, each grant application is evaluated on its potential to generate subsequent peer-reviewed funding and publications.

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NOTIFICATION

You and your San Diego CFAR collaborator typically will be notified of the Core's decision within a month of the submission deadline. Along with the decision notice, you and your collaborator will receive copies of the reviewers' critiques without the reviewers' names. The critiques are intended to improve the proposed research regardless of the funding decision. The administrative staff of the International Core will assist you after your application is approved to collect the forms needed for NIH review and approval. The administrative staff will also help with transferring funds from UC San Diego to your institution to support your research.

If your study is not selected for funding, in most cases you will be invited to continue working with your San Diego CFAR collaborator and submit a revision in the next application period.

 

At a Glance



NIH Co-Funding and Participating Institutes and Centers:

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