Scientific Peer Review at UIC-SPH

Think tanks can be held as strategic planning sessions at any stage of research development for investigator initiated grants (i.e. R01s). They can be held to brainstorm about the directions of a proposal or how to respond to an RFP. They can be held in stages, so that more that one think tank may be held, leading to a proposal. It is recommended that novices in grant writing hold think tanks after drafting the introduction and specific aims prior to mock reviews discussed below. Think tanks also can be held to review data and develop plans for publications and presentations. Two to three faculty members, generally who are active researchers, will act as a creative team to brainstorm directions or review background and aims or discuss dissemination. Think Tanks can take several forms:

1. Research ideas may be presented by PIs at divisional or school wide seminars to get intellectual feedback on their work which can be incorporated into grant proposal concepts.

2. Specific think tank sessions may be separately scheduled. Think tanks for grant applications are scheduled within Divisions. The Division should designate a contact faculty (or the Division Director) and staff member to support setting up these seminars or think tank sessions. Divisions should feel free to draw from other divisions and/or units on campus for expertise as relevant to the proposal at hand.

Timelines of Think Tanks:

Once the introduction and aims are drafted, a think tank should be scheduled 2 - 3 months prior to submission. A draft of the introduction and aims should be sent to the reviewers 3-5 days prior to the session.

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