A Second Look provides investigators with structured, expert feedback on their grant applications prior to submission. This structured review process helps strengthen applications, clarify research aims, and enhance competitiveness before proposals are sent to funding agencies.
Background:
Studies at peer institutions have demonstrated that formal internal grant reviews can substantially improve funding success rates. For example, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine has utilized an internal review process for more than 30 years, achieving a 70% success rate for K awards on first submission and a 60% transition rate from K to R funding. Similar outcomes have been reported by other universities, underscoring the value of structured internal grant review programs in enhancing proposal competitiveness and funding success.
Benefits and Goals of this Pre-Submission Grant Review Program
This program is designed to enhance the quality, competitiveness, and success of UMSOM grant applications through structured internal peer review. The program:
- Improves proposal quality by providing expert feedback on scientific rigor, clarity, organization, and overall impact.
- Identifies potential weaknesses, gaps, and areas for improvement prior to submission, increasing the likelihood of funding success.
- Ensures stronger alignment with sponsor priorities and review criteria through input from experienced senior faculty.
- Provides objective, unbiased feedback that helps investigators refine and strengthen their applications.
- Increases the confidence and grantsmanship skills of early-career faculty in developing competitive funding proposals.
- Fosters a culture of research excellence by encouraging investigators to complete applications 4–6 weeks before submission deadlines and participate in internal peer review.
- Strengthens the research portfolios and long-term funding potential of early-career faculty.
- Recognizes and engages senior faculty mentors who contribute their scientific expertise and grantsmanship experience to support emerging investigators.
Eligibility
Participation is limited to University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM) faculty at the rank of Assistant Professor or higher. Research Associates and Instructors are generally not eligible to participate unless a compelling justification is provided and approved.
Upcoming Deadlines for NIH Cycle III
| Milestone | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Request ASL Review Services | August 7, 2026* |
| Upload Application Documents | August 21, 2026* |
| Mock Study Section | September 8 or 9, 2026* |
| UMSOM Internal Submission Deadline | September 28, 2026 |
| NIH Submission Deadline | October 5, 2026 |
* Dates for resubmission are approximately one month later.
How to Participate in A Second Look Program
Questions or Need Additional Information?
Please contact:
Wonder Drake, MD
Christy Chang, PhD
Kelly Powers