Internal mock reviews of grant proposals are a valuable means to move grant proposals to funding success.
Given the competitiveness of federal funding and the new limitations placed on NIH resubmissions, mock reviews are an essential part of the submission process. In mock reviews, the OREA compiles a team which draws on experienced local investigators. Successful mock reviews come at a point where a proposal is well thought out and polished, but still open to revision so that the investigator can benefit from both the written critiques and the discussion with and among the reviewers. The premise is that the mock review process provides a similar equivalent of a first NIH review, thus moving proposals to funding more rapidly.
The nursing mock review process is informal however taken seriously. It is carried out with confidentiality, mutual respect, collegiality, and affirmation as essential parts of the process. Reviewers present both strengths and weaknesses of the grant proposal, along with suggestions in their written critiques.