Being a peer reviewer is an extremely helpful way of improving your grant writing skills. Not only will you have the opportunity to review a variety of applications from all over the country, but you will also better understand how to write an application in a way that makes it easier for the peer reviewer to score.
Many court professionals are well suited to serve as peer reviewers for the US Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs. The process of being a peer reviewer varies by federal agency but, generally, if you are selected as a peer reviewer, you will be assigned approximately 8 to 10 applications to review within a 2-week period during grant review season (typically the spring or summer).
Before becoming a peer reviewer, you will be required to participate in an orientation telephone call, which covers the roles and responsibilities of the reviewers and the background and purpose of the grant program under review. Reviewers are required to enter scores and comments into an automated data system and participate in a consensus call with all other reviewers on their assigned panel. Peer reviewers are typically compensated for each application reviewed, which includes your time and participation in both the orientation call and consensus call.
To apply to be a peer reviewer, email an up-to-date resume or curriculum vitae to ojpprsupport@usdoj.gov.
