The review session essentially has the same steps, however you will probably receive several reviews from individual experts, rather than one review that represents a panel discussion. All reviewers use the same criteria to evaluate your project plan. However, since there is no discussion to go along with the review, you won't benefit from the critical thinking that tends to be reflected in panel recommendations. We give reviewers 5 weeks to prepare for their panel meeting, which is scheduled very early in the process. Due to their need to receive all of the plans on time, we do not allow extensions on the project plan due date.
Panelists remain anonymous for their participation in the review process.
If you have a question for the primary reviewer, we will get the answer for you. No, your Area Office is responsible for approving public access to your project plan and would be the party to provide that access if granted. OSQR will only give your project plan to peer reviewers who have signed a binding confidentiality agreement prior to receipt and who have no conflicts of interest. The intramural peer review process coordinated by OSQR and the Research Performance and Evaluation System have distinct and completely unrelated polices, operations, and recordkeeping practices. However, you are encouraged to understand how your research leader, Lab Director, and Area Director will view your performance during the peer review process in relationship to general evaluations.