SMART review is a mock study section that consists of a rigorous peer review of early stage career grants including AHA predoctoral, postdoctoral, scientist development grants, NIH F-series, or any other similar grant. A review committee consisting of trainees (postdocs and predocs) and a senior member of the section are appointed for each grant cycle. The senior member facilitates the review process as if trainees are at a real study section. The goal is to provide training on how the peer review process works in regards to grants in order to gain knowledge of what actually occurs at study section. Not only does SMART reviews provide excellent peer review training, but also it greatly improves the quality of grants that are submitted.
For more information regarding SMART reviews, or if you would like to serve on a panel or submit a grant for review, please contact Dr. Bryan Becker (bryanbecker@uabmc.edu).
Review Timeline
Please use the information below as a reference for submission deadlines to SMART. This is provided for reference only; please refer to the sponsor's website for submission deadlines and instructions. Please contact Dr. Becker to confirm the SMART deadline if you are submitting a grant and are interested in having a SMART review session.
NIH K-series (new submissions), sponsor deadlines occur on February 12, June 12, and October 12, with SMART review deadlines one month earlier on January 12, May 12, and September 12.
NIH K-series (resubmissions), sponsor deadlines are March 12, July 12, and November 12, and SMART review deadlines are February 12, June 12, and October 12.
NIH F-series fellowships (new or revised), sponsor deadlines fall on April 8, August 8, and December 8, with SMART review deadlines on March 8, July 8, and November 8.
AHA fellowships, the sponsor deadlines are:
- Predoctoral Fellowships: September 7
- Postdoctoral Fellowships: September 8
- Career Development Award: December 6
The corresponding SMART review deadlines for AHA awards are:
- Predoctoral Fellowships: August 7
- Postdoctoral Fellowships: August 8
- Career Development Award: November 6
The APS Postdoctoral Fellowship uses a two-step process that begins with a Letter of Intent (LOI), which is due on April 15, before the full application is submitted.