Announcement: The National Institutes of Health is encouraging the use of the Public Health Service (PHS) assignment request form when putting together grant applications.
This form is available in nearly all competing NIH application form packages and allows you to provide specific application assignment and review information to referral and review staff.
Applicants may suggest NIH Institute/Center/Office (ICO) assignments, particular study sections, names of people who may have a conflict with reviewing the application, and areas of expertise needed for the review. The information provided is not included in the assembled application and is only shared with appropriate NIH review staff, not with reviewers or others at NIH.
Available resources to help identify which NIH ICO or study section may be appropriate:
- RePORTER for grants where related research was funded and reviewed (see also this blog).
- Assisted Referral Tool can help you identify potentially appropriate study sections.
Please keep in mind that suggestions for peer reviewers are not allowed on the form (or the cover letter or anywhere else in the application). The PHS form clearly states “do not provide names of individuals” you would like to review your application as this could cause a potential conflict of interest between the applicant and reviewer.
Questions? If you have any questions regarding the PHS form, please reach out to your DCG Officer.