untitled

fairness of the members. Each scientist

brings to the table a sense of what consti-

tutes excellence—in hypotheses, experi-

mental design, and impact. Applying

those standards throughout, and keeping

in check one’s biases—personal and scien-

tific—allow the study section to establish

high and firm standards as a group.

• Clarity:reviews that convey effectively the
  reviewer’s analysis are extremely important.
  Reviews of high quality that are consistent
  with the score that the proposal receives
  enhance confidence in the system.


• Persuasiveness:the ability to articulate
  crisply the qualities of a grant that under-
  lie one’s opinion of it matter in the meet-
  ing. The majority of study section mem-
  bers must rely upon the reviewers for
  a guide to both the proposal and the field
  it represents.

What’s in It for the

Study Section Member?

Most of those who have served as members

agree that they have enjoyed multiple bene-

fits from study section service:

• The opportunity to contribute in a signif-
  icant way to the research enterprise.By
  putting themselves in a position to be an
  advocate for interesting and well-done sci-
  ence, they help lift the standards and per-
  formance of their fields.


• The opportunity to learn how to write a
  better grant.Reading others’ proposals,
  good and bad, allows people to see what
  works and what doesn’t, how to present
  data, how to keep reviewers engaged, what
  sorts of traps to avoid. The common expe-

rience is that study section members’ pro-

posals get better and easier to write as a

result of their service.

• The chance to participate in an intellectual
  experience of a high order.The analysis of a
  scientific program, and its relationship to a
  field, calls upon the reviewers’ intellect and
  training in a way that too few other activities
  do. Members also can learn a lot of science in
  a short time.


• The opportunity to form relationships
  with new colleagues that carry on
  throughout one’s career.

Which Study Section

and When?

People usually join study section after being

invited to serve at a session or two as an ad

hocmember. The invitation comes from the

SRA (SRAs are notoriously on the prowl for

willing talent) acting on names received

from members of the study section past and

present and other scientists in the field.

These sessions give the study section and the

potential member a chance to find out if

they’re compatible. It’s a good idea to pick a

study section that deals primarily with sci-

ence relevant to one’s own interests. All

those hours in a meeting talking about things

that you don’t know or care about will make

Reading others’ proposals, good

and bad, allows people to see

what works and what doesn’t,

how to present data, how to keep

reviewers engaged, what sorts

of traps to avoid.

CHAPTER 7 • GRANTS 201

THE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR CELL BIOLOGY