I encourage you to read the report and submit your comments via the form provided on the web so the Panel may consider them before finalizing its report later this year. Their recommendations will be useful in Phase 2 of the Scientific Boundaries Panel activity. But, no matter how good our organization is, the system is no better than the consultants who render their judgments, and more flexibility is also required to expand the reviewer pool. We are also exploring ways to enable veterans of the system, who have since gained valuable broad, long-term perspective, to contribute once again. All participants in the system need information and guidance regarding their roles and responsibilities.
Plans are also underway to produce a video to convey best practices to first-time reviewers.
Our progress in all these activities depends heavily on the involvement of the extramural research community. To facilitate your participation, we are working to make the system as transparent as possible and are in the process of redesigning the CSR web site. User surveys are now underway to determine what information our customers need and how they would like it presented. Your input regarding the content or navigation of our site is welcome. Following is a list of the new scientific staff members who have joined CSR since February 1999.