The final step involves the provision of a short, detailed pamphlet to each highly ranked applicant and a short telephone call to ascertain understanding of peer review process and willingness to serve. At this point, interested consumers are scheduled into specific meeting dates. If more eligible consumers are identified than the program has need for, a random selection of those eligible to serve is made to fill available positions. Selected nominees represent diverse advocacy organizations as well as varied ages, ethnic and racial groups, educational and geographic backgrounds. The mentor helps the new consumer reviewer by providing experience, guidance, and moral support.
Consumers sit on all panels along with scientists, both in peer review and programmatic review.
Therefore, consumer reviewers with scientific and technical expertise are assigned to a panel that is unrelated to that expertise. Some consumers who have served two times may be asked to become a presenter for the Consumer Orientation session. Describe the role of consumers on peer review panels. They represent the views of their community and are called upon to discuss their views after the science reviews of each proposal. Consumers prepare written statements prior to the meeting addressing the relevancy of the research to their community s issues.