Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools Seeking Peer Reviewers

November 11, 2009 - The U.S. Department of Education Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools (OSDFS) is recruiting educators, policymakers, and other qualified experts to serve as peer reviewers for OSDFS grant proposals.  The OSDFS peer review process is designed to ensure that each discretionary grant is awarded on the basis of evaluation selection criteria.  OSDFS relies on peer reviewers to critically evaluate all submitted proposals to enable objective and independent recommendations. 

The review process consists of an orientation, evaluation and scoring of applications consistent with established selection criteria, written reviews of each application to support the scores, and discussions with other panelists.  Activities are conducted via the Internet, eliminating the need for any travel to Washington, DC.  Nevertheless, each peer reviewer is expected to commit approximately 35-45 hours to complete the review of applications on time.  An estimated ten applications will be assigned to each peer reviewer’s panel to be discussed in three conference calls.  Reviewers will receive an honorarium after completion of required work and submission of mandatory forms. 

Persons interested in serving as peer reviewers may apply at any time.  Expertise in the following areas is strongly suggested and should be noted when applying: strong writing, listening, and speaking skills; superior analytical skills, including the ability to provide thoughtful, objective evaluations of proposals; relevant education, training, and/or experience in the subject area of the grant program; and experience working with diverse communities; among others.  In addition, backgrounds in the following areas are helpful: alcohol, tobacco, and other drug prevention; character education; civic education; school-based health and wellness program; and violence prevention; among others.  Reviewers should also have significant experience working at one of the following education levels: early childhood; elementary; secondary; and higher education. 

For further information about the review process, qualifications needed to be a peer reviewer, and/or how to apply to be a peer reviewer, click here. 

Source: Letter from the Assistant Deputy Secretary, U.S. Department of Education, Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools.