Overview of O-K Review

The O-K Review mock study section 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. This process was established by the San Diego Center for AIDS Research (SD CFAR) for HIV/AIDS applications, and has been extended to Department of Medicine applicants for topics outside of this focus area. Those who submit applications for review are asked to evaluate those from other submitters. In this manner, applicants gain insight into the review process from both perspectives.

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!

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Applicants

Faculty and postdocs from the UC San Diego Department of Medicine (DOM) 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.

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Required Documents: Department of Medicine

• Specific Aims and Cover Sheet submitted via the new online form: O-K Review for DOM.
• Application links will be available to applicants who submit Specific Aims by the specified deadline. Details on the application requirements available below.

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Timeline for Upcoming Review Cycles: DOM

June 2025 NIH Submission Cycle
Date	Action
Wednesday, April 9, 2025	Specific aims of the proposed application with the SD CFAR cover sheet should be submitted no later than this date in order to participate in the OK Review mock study sections. LINK TO SUBMISSION FORM Late submissions will not be accepted
Wednesday, April 23, 2025	Applications submitted for review by 5:00 pm PT. Applicants must have submitted their Specific Aims by the April 9 deadline to receive an application link and to participate in the OK Review mock study section for this cycle.
Tuesday, May 6, 2025	O-K Review panel via Zoom, 1:30-4:30 pm PT NOTE: All applicants are expected to be present at this meeting.
Thursday, June 5, 2025	Applications due at NIH. This timeline is based on standard Medicine application deadlines, your application may have a different deadline. Applicants are responsible for verifying due dates with NIH.

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October 2025 NIH Submission Cycle
Date	Action
Monday, August 11, 2025	Specific aims of the proposed application with the SD CFAR cover sheet should be submitted no later than this date in order to participate in the OK Review mock study sections. LINK TO SUBMISSION FORM Late submissions will not be accepted
Monday, August 25, 2025	Applications submitted for review by 5:00 pm PT. Applicants must have submitted their Specific Aims by the August 11 deadline to receive an application link and to participate in the OK Review mock study section for this cycle.
Wednesday, September 10, 2025	O-K Review panel via Zoom, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm NOTE: All applicants are expected to be present at this meeting.
Monday, October 6, 2025	Applications due at NIH. This timeline is based on standard Medicine application deadlines, your application may have a different deadline. Applicants are responsible for verifying due dates with NIH.

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February 2026 NIH Submission Cycle
Date	Action
Monday, November 24, 2025	Specific aims of the proposed application with the SD CFAR cover sheet should be submitted no later than this date in order to participate in the OK Review mock study sections. LINK TO SUBMISSION FORM Late submissions will not be accepted
Monday, December 8, 2025	Applications submitted for review by 5:00 pm PT. Applicants must have submitted their Specific Aims by the November 19 deadline to receive an application link and to participate in the OK Review mock study section for this cycle.
Tuesday, January 13, 2026	O-K Review panel via Zoom, 1:00 – 4:00 pm NOTE: All applicants are expected to be present at this meeting.
Thursday, February 5, 2026	Applications due at NIH. This timeline is based on standard Medicine application deadlines, your application may have a different deadline. Applicants are responsible for verifying due dates with NIH.

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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.

Application Checklist(s):

FOR K APPLICATIONS:

• 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
• *

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?

FOR R APPLICATIONS:

• 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
• *

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?

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.

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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.