O-K Review Mock Study Sections

Overview of O-K Review

The O-K Review Committee facilitates a mock study section that provides critical reviews and constructive feedback on select NIH grant applications before submission. The committee primarily focuses on K awards while also accepting F, R01, and R21 applications from first-time submitters. Members of the committee include Drs. Mary Lewinski, Laramie Smith, Sara Gianella, Eileen Pitpitan, and Joe Ix.

Initially established for HIV/AIDS applications, this process has been extended to applicants from the Department of Medicine (DOM) for topics beyond this focus area. Those who submit applications for review are encouraged to evaluate their peers' submissions, enabling them to experience the review process from both perspectives.

We hope that the insights gained from these mock study section reviews, as well as the networking connections made, will have a lasting impact well beyond the NIH due dates. Best of all, this valuable service is offered free of charge!

NOTE: As of May 2026, the O-K Review cycle will be offered only three times a year, aligned with the standard NIH submission deadlines of February, June, and October. This is in accordance with NOT-OD-26-029.

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O-K Review Timeline for the Standard NIH Submission Cycles

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Application Details

As part of the review and learning process, you will be asked to serve as a reviewer for one of the other submitted applications. As noted above, all applicants are expected to attend and participate in the Zoom review panel. If you are unable to do so, you will receive a limited review only. Additionally, if partial documents are submitted, there will be a limited review only. Specific Aims must be submitted by the stated deadline in order to participate in the O-K Review process.

It is important for SD CFAR to know the outcome of investigator’s participation in the O-K Review process. It is a key indicator used to document value-added as well as to justify resources allocated to the O-K Review. If you have participated in the O-K Review in the past, you must have provided NIH funding outcome information for prior applications to the Administrative Core (cfar@ucsd.edu) to be eligible to participate.

K APPLICATION CHECKLIST:

• Candidate Background 
• Career Goals and Objectives
• Aims
• Research Plan 
• List of mentors 
• Applicant Biosketch 
• Mentor Biosketch;
• Proposal has undergone at least one round of review and revision with mentor;
• Proposal meets NIH formatting requirements and page limits
• Application Submission Checklist with Certifications signed by applicant *

        Questions to consider:

1. Have all the major, mandatory science sections (above) been thoroughly drafted?
2. If this is a K-series grant, have you already undergone at least one round of review and revisions with your mentors?
3. Does your application meet NIH formatting requirements and page limits?

R APPLICATION CHECKLIST:

• Aims
• Research Strategy
• Candidate Biosketch
• If applicable, Co-Investigator Biosketch(es)
• Proposal has undergone at least one round of review and revision with Co-investigators
• Proposal meets NIH formatting requirements and page limits
• Application Submission Checklist with Certifications signed by applicant *

       Questions to consider:

1. Have all the major, mandatory science sections (above) been thoroughly drafted?
2. If this is an R-series grant, have you already undergone at least one round of review and revisions with your Co-Investigators?
3. Does your application meet NIH formatting requirements and page limits?

NOTE:

• If you've answered "yes" to all of the above applicable questions, then your application is eligible for OK review. If you’ve answered “no” to any of the questions, you will only qualify for a limited review only.
• If partial documents are submitted, there will be a limited review.
• If applicants are unable to attend the Zoom or in-person review panel, there will be a limited review.
• As part of the review and learning process, you will be asked to serve as a reviewer for one of the other submitted applications.
• If you have any comments or questions, please email us at cfar@ucsd.edu. 

Potential Reviewers

If you are interested in participating as a reviewer one or more of the above mock study sections, please email cfar@ucsd.edu.