This notice alerts the scientific research community of plans to discontinue the practice of granting one-year continuous submission status to reviewers with recent substantial review service, which was earned by serving six times in an 18-month period. NIH is deeply appreciative of those who regularly serve on their advisory groups.

However, prior policy had unintended consequences, among them encouraging excessive review service and thus disproportionate influence by some. NIH believes that diverse advisory groups with a range of familiar and fresh voices best identify high impact research.  Please see notice OD-20-060 for additional information.