Involving the Canadian public in CIHR peer review committees
(2005-04-04) The Canadian Institutes of Health Research have committed to enhancing public and stakeholder engagement in health research in Canada. To this end,
CIHR is seeking applications from members of the public who are interested in serving as community reviewers (lay reviewers) on
CIHR's peer review committees. This involvement enhances accountability and transparency of the peer review process, and provides an additional mechanism for addressing the relevance of applications to
CIHR's mandate.
Community reviewers can include decision-makers, program administrators, care givers, policy makers, practitioners and volunteers who work in various organizations.
The community reviewer's role:
- to provide a mechanism for public accountability for the peer review process;
- to provide a mechanism for advocacy of the merits of CIHR's scientific review process and the value of CIHR's investment in research;
- to review the lay summary of the applications to ensure that they are written in plain language; and
- to provide constructive comments that may be incorporated into the feedback to the applicants regarding the quality of the lay summary.
The community reviewer does not appraise the scientific quality of the applications or take part in voting procedures.
How to apply to become a Community Reviewer
CIHR will consider applications from individuals who are nominated by an individual or an organization interested in health research.
Important: The application process for the 2005/06 cycle of community reviewer membership occurs from April 4, 2005 until April 22, 2005.
How to apply
The following information is required for each person being nominated:
- completion of the 'Community Reviewer Nomination Form' [ PDF (fillable, 202 KB) | PDF ( 16 KB) | Help ] by the nominator;
- a one-page letter from the nominee stating why he/she is interested in serving as a community reviewer; and
- a current short resume.
Submitting your nomination package
You can send your nomination package either by fax (613) 954-1800, by email fsauve@cihr-irsc.gc.ca, or by mail to the following address:
Peer Review Innovation Coordinator
Resource Planning and Resourcing Unit
160 Elgin Street, Room 97, Address Locator 4809A
Ottawa, ON K1A 0W9
Contact information
For assistance on the application process, or for technical assistance for filling the PDF form, contact François Sauvé at (613) 941-0651, or by email at fsauve@cihr-irsc.gc.ca
The criteria that will be considered in selecting community reviewers are:
- value and support to the mission of CIHR;
- demonstrate knowledge of or experience with a health issue and/or have an interest in scientific research, more specifically in understanding science in lay language;
- value scientific inquiry;
- be an impartial advocate;
- be able to work cooperatively in a group;
- communicate effectively both orally and in writing in at least one of the official languages;
- be available to participate for up to three days of review panel meetings twice a year; and
- have prior experience working on a committee.
Community reviewers will not receive any formal science training, but they will be given a thorough orientation in what to expect when they meet with the scientists at the panel meeting. Neither scientific reviewers, nor community reviewers receive remuneration for this work, but all economy transportation, hotel, food expenses necessary for participating in the review panel meetings are paid by CIHR.
