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Threats to grant peer review: a qualitative study
Joanie Sims Gould1, Anne M Lasinsky2, Adrian Mota3
1Department of Family Practice, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada joanie@joaniesimsgould.com.
BMJ Open
|February 20, 2025
Summary
Grant peer review faces threats from lack of training, difficulty rating similar applications, and bias. Reviewer time constraints and the chair
Area of Science:
- Scientific funding and research evaluation
- Grant peer review processes
Background:
- Peer review is critical for scientific research evaluation.
- Grant peer review, essential for research funding, receives less study than manuscript peer review.
- Debate exists regarding the benefits and drawbacks of grant peer review.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the experiences and challenges encountered by grant peer reviewers.
- To identify threats to the integrity of grant peer review.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative interviews were conducted with 18 participants.
- Participants included Chairs, peer reviewers, and Scientific Officers from a national funding agency.
Main Results:
- Three primary threats to grant peer review integrity were identified: insufficient training, difficulty distinguishing between similarly strong applications, and the influence of reviewer reputation and relationships.
- Reviewer time constraints and limited resources exacerbated these threats.
- The crucial role of the Chair in maintaining transparency and rigor was highlighted.
Conclusions:
- Stretched resources and time are significant factors impacting grant peer review.
- Funders and academic institutions should adopt practices to alleviate reviewer burden.
- Addressing these threats is essential for maintaining the integrity of scientific grant peer review.
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