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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 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!
UC San Diego Department of Medicine Applicants
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.
Department of Medicine-related Applications
| Date | Action |
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Monday, April 15, 2024 |
Specific aims of the proposed application (with the SD CFAR cover sheet) should be submitted to cfar@ucsd.edu no later than this date. Specific Aims must be submitted by this deadline in order to participate in this review cycle. Late submissions will not be accepted. |
|
Monday, April 22, 2024 |
Applications submitted for review. Email to by 5:00 pm PT. |
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May 6 - May 10, 2024 |
Zoom O-K Review panels. Specific dates and times TBA. NOTE: All applicants are expected to be present at this meeting. |
|
Friday, June 7, 2024 |
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. |
| Date | Action |
|
Wednesday, August 7, 2024 |
Specific aims of the proposed application (with the SD CFAR cover sheet) should be submitted to cfar@ucsd.edu no later than this date. Specific Aims must be submitted by this deadline in order to participate in this review cycle. Late submissions will not be accepted. |
|
Monday, August 26, 2024 |
Applications submitted for review. Email to by 5:00 pm PT. |
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September 9-13, 2024 |
Zoom O-K Review panels. Specific dates and times TBA. NOTE: All applicants are expected to be present at this meeting. |
|
Monday, October 7, 2024 |
Applications due at NIH. Standard deadline of October 7 falls on a weekend day. 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. |
| Date | Action |
|
Monday, November 19, 2024 |
Specific aims of the proposed application (with the SD CFAR cover sheet) should be submitted to cfar@ucsd.edu no later than this date. Specific Aims must be submitted by this deadline in order to participate in this review cycle. Late submissions will not be accepted. |
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Wednesday, December 11, 2024 |
Applications submitted for review. Email to by 5:00 pm PT. |
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January 6 - 10, 2025 |
Zoom O-K Review panels. Specific dates and times TBA. NOTE: All applicants are expected to be present at this meeting. |
|
Friday, February 7, 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. |
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
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.
| Date | Action |
|
Wednesday, Aug 3, 2022 |
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. |
|
Wednesday, Aug 17, 2022 |
Applications submitted for review. Email to by 5:00 pm PT. |
|
Wednesday, Sept 7, 2022 |
Zoom O-K Review panel, 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. NOTE: All applicants are expected to be present at this meeting and should hold this entire time block. |
|
Wednesday, Oct 5, 2022 |
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. |
| Date | Action |
|
Thursday, December 1, 2022 |
Specific aims of the proposed application (with the CFAR cover sheet) should be submitted to cfar@ucsd.edu no later than this date, but may be submitted earlier for internal review by the O-K Review Team Co-Chairs. |
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Thursday, December 15, 2022 |
Applications submitted for review. Email to by 5:00 pm PT. |
|
TBD, estimated Jan 5 - 12, 2023 |
Zoom O-K Review panel, TIME TBD NOTE: All applicants are expected to be present at this meeting and should hold this entire time block. |
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Monday, Feb 7, 2023 |
Applications due at NIH (standard deadline of February 5 falls on a weekend day). 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. |