O-K Review Mock Study Sections

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Overview

The goal of the O-K Review is to increase our success in keeping junior investigators in HIV research. To do this, the SD CFAR O-K Review Team provides a mock study section that offers investigators a critical review with constructive feedback of certain NIH grant applications before submission. The O-K Review team focuses on K awards, and we also accept F, R01 and R21 applications from first-time submitters. Those who submit applications for review are asked to evaluate those from other submitters. In this way, applicants experience the review process from both sides. 

We hope the mock study section reviews and networking connections will have an impact lasting well beyond the NIH due dates. And better yet: the reviews are free, and refreshments are provided during the in-person meetings!

Check out testimonials and successes from the O-K Review


Additional O-K Review Opportunities

UC San Diego Department of Medicine

Faculty and postdocs from the UC San Diego Department of Medicine are invited to participate in the O-K Review process. Interested applicants must meet criteria listed above, however applications may be on any topic covered by the Department of Medicine. Department of Medicine O-K Review participants should choose the cycle that best meets their application deadlines. Please email cfar@ucsd.edu.with questions.

Click here for timelines and required documents for Department of Medicine O-K Review applicants. The timeline and documents listed below are for HIV/AIDS applications only, and the DoM cycle follows by approximately one month. 

Other Special Programs

Occassionally, SD CFAR offers opportunities to participate in O-K Review mock study sections related to specific funding mechanisms. Click here for more information.


Required Documents

 

HIV-related Applications


 

Upcoming OK Reviews for Special Programs


May 2023 HIV/AIDS NIH Submission Cycle
Date Action

Thursday, March 9, 2023

Specific aims of the proposed application (with the SD CFAR cover sheet) should be submitted to cfar@ucsd.edu no later than this date. Late submissions will not be accepted. Specific Aims must be submitted by this date in order to participate in the OK Review mock study sections.

Thursday, March 23, 2023

Applications submitted for review to cfar@ucsd.edu by 5:00 pm PT. Applicants must have submitted their Specific Aims by the March 9 deadline to participate in the OK Review mock study sections for this cycle.

Friday, April 7, 2023

OK Review Panel, 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm via Zoom.

NOTE: All applicants are expected to be present at this meeting and should hold this entire time block.

Monday, May 8, 2023

HIV/AIDS Applications due at NIH. (standard deadline of May 7 falls on a weekend day)

 

September 2023 HIV/AIDS NIH Submission Cycle
Date Action

Wednesday, July 12, 2023

Specific aims of the proposed application (with the SD CFAR cover sheet) should be submitted to cfar@ucsd.edu no later than this date. Late submissions will not be accepted. Specific Aims must be submitted by this date in order to participate in the OK Review mock study sections.

Wednesday, July 26, 2023

Applications submitted for review to cfar@ucsd.edu by 5:00 pm PT. Applicants must have submitted their Specific Aims by the July 12 deadline to participate in the OK Review mock study sections for this cycle. 

Friday, August 11, 2023

OK Review Panel, 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm PT via Zoom.

NOTE: All applicants are expected to be present at this meeting and should hold this entire time block.

Thursday, September 7, 2023

HIV/AIDS Applications due at NIH

 

January 2024 HIV/AIDS NIH Submission Cycle
Date Action

Wednesday, October 26, 2023

Specific aims of the proposed application (with the CFAR cover sheet) should be submitted to cfar@ucsd.edu no later than this date. Late submissions will not be accepted. Specific Aims must be submitted by this date in order to participate in the OK Review mock study sections.

Wednesday, November 8 2023

Applications submitted for review to cfar@ucsd.edu by 5:00 pm PT. Applicants must have submitted their Specific Aims by the October 26 deadline to participate in the OK Review mock study sections for this cycle.

Monday, December 4, 2023

Zoom O-K Review panel, 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. 

NOTE: All applicants are expected to be present at this meeting and should hold this entire time block.

Monday January 8, 2024

HIV/AIDS Applications due at NIH (standard deadline of January 7 falls on a weekend day)


Applicants

Please visit the O-K Review webpage for details about the process. 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 or in-person review panels. 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.

1. Have all of the major, mandatory science sections been fully drafted?

K Applications:
CFAR Cover Sheet
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

R Applications:
CFAR Cover sheet
Aims
Research Strategy
Candidate Biosketch and 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

2. If this is a K-series grant, have you already undergone at least one round of review and revisions with your mentors?

3. If this is an R-series grant, have you already undergone at least one round of review and revisions with your Co-Investigators?

4. Does your application meet NIH formatting requirements and page limits?

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.


 

 

At a Glance