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NSF Wants You For Peer Review This guest editorial is by Arthur B. Ellis, director, Division of Chemistry, National Science Foundation, on detail from the University of Wisconsin, Madison. Views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of NSF.
T
HROUGH PEER REVIEW MECHANISMS,
the NFS Division of Chemistry allocates funds to support basic research and education in the chemical sciences. Doing this effectively requires expert program officers and many volunteers, who serve as reviewers of proposals. To carry out the peer review process in the most effective way, NSF needs your help. Many more proposals of high quality than can be funded are received from the chemical sciences community To ensure that the best possible funding recommendations are made, program officers solicit thoughtful reviews from respected members ofour community This process requires substantial service from our community because the division requests nearly 10,000 reviews ayear. Reviewers are called upon to submit timely constructively critical ad hoc reviews that enable principal investigators to enhance the quality of their science. Reviewers are also asked to serve on review panels that may require demanding travel. We thank those of you who have served as reviewers, and we will continue to count on your assistance. Ifyou have not served as a reviewer and desire to do so, let us know A qualified reviewer is an established professional who typically possesses a doctorate in chemistry or an allied field. Up-to-date research experience is also required, as it enables the reviewer to provide knowledgeable evaluations of cutting-edge research proposals in his or her particular areas of expertise. There is no restriction on reviewers based on their employment. Indeed, the breadth of perspectives from scientists in academe, industry, and government laboratories is agreat strength of our peer review system. We also welcome participation in the reviewing process by qualified international colleagues. The Division of Chemistry has established a website at http:// www.nsf.gov/mps/divisions/che/news/reviewerinfo.htm for prospective reviewers. Please contact us through this website if you would like to review proposals for us. Once reviews have been obtained, NSF program officers are asked to weigh the re-
sponses and to make judicious funding recommendations. Our program officers and support staff are enormously talented and dedicated. About half of the program officers are permanent staff members who provide important institutional perspectives. The other program officers, rotators, will typically spend one to three years with us and help us stay in touch with our community's perspectives. For the community to have confidence in our decision-making, it is critically important that we continue to attract respected scientists to serve as program officers. NSF offers the kind of stimulating, high-tech environment that would be associated with any outstanding multidisciplinary institution with global reach. Program officers help to launch new areas of research in the chemical sciences and, through mentoring, to contribute to the professional development ofprincipal investigators. Program officers help shape the direction of our chemical research and education enterprise through their service. Rotators are able to maintain their research programs and pursue funding opportunities during their stay at NSF. NSF provides time, travel, and technology to enable rotators to continue to interact at their home institutions. Rotators who have worked at NSF cite as benefits the opportunities for scientific and professional growth and for establishing new research directions. I urge you to consider providing this important service to your community See http://wwwnsf gov/oirrn/hrm/jobs/ rotators/start.htm for additional details. The chemical community plays a critical role in implementing the peer review system. With limited funds, it is more important than ever to make the wisest possible investments in basic research and education. My colleagues and I in the NSF Division of Chemistry hope that you will continue to help us when we call upon you, and we thank you in advance for your assistance. Arthur B.Ellis National Science Foundation
[email protected] Views expressed on this page are those of the author and not necessarily those of ACS. HTTP://WWW.CEN-ONLINE.ORG
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