Thread 1/10 My take on reviewing grant applications:

1: Start from the assumption this is a good project worth supporting.... It has come to you as an expert so it is in your research field. More money goes to fields that support colleagues that those that are hostile to them

2: Ignore whether the person is junior or whether they have a track record on which the project is based. If they have come up with the idea, pulled together a team, then they have the right to be the PI. Why should senior colleagues be PI if they haven't been the driving force?

3: Take the time to review it properly & read around the subject if necessary. Don't agree if you don't have the time. The applicant has taken months of their lives devoted to writing it. It deserves a fair review.

4: Make sure you search for all the strength and emphasise them in your report. When you are asked for weaknesses and risks this is not the time to destroy their grant. Ask for clarification on points of weakness and how they will mitigate risks. Be constructive not destructive!

5: Blue skies thinking and great science often involves high risk. This should be supported! Many grants go to projects that will get solid results and incrementally advance knowledge (often the PI has data, knows outcome but hasn't published yet). This is boring, risk is good.

6: Don't rate your confidence in the research area as high unless it is your core research. Be honest about your expertise

7: Don't give a positive review and then give it a mediocre score. This is destroying their chances & is just mean

8: If the project is exciting be positive about it, there's limited space to write in so there will be things missing. Don't sweat the small stuff......if it is a good idea support it!
If it is really awful then provide positive feedback as to how it could be improved.

9: It is not ok to blatantly trash grants of your direct competitors by saying you don't rate their ideas, purposely misdescribing bits of their grant, and making sweeping un-evidenced statements. Karma will get you!

10: Finally.... Don't be a ****! It is never ok to say personal things about a PI, their age, sex, be dismissive of their experience. Don't support a grant because "he is a good guy & has delivered in the past". If it is a great idea back it regardless of who it is from.

This thread is based on my own & my colleagues experience of receiving reviews over several years & on recent training on reviewing grant applications. I have recently joined the NERC & AHRC colleges. Panels moderate reviews not re-review so reviewers you are super powerful!