ED's Office of Safe and Healthy Students Seek Qualified Reviewers for the FY2016 Carol M. White Physical Education Program (PEP) Grant

April 10, 2016

The Office of Safe and Healthy Students (OSHS) is seeking qualified peer reviewers to read and evaluate discretionary grant proposals for the FY 2016 Carol M. White Physical Education Program (PEP) Grant competition.

For the PEP competition, OSHS is seeking reviewers with expertise in issues related to physical education, physical activity, health, health education, nutrition education, curriculum development, evaluation, and grants management. These individuals include, but are not limited to, physical education teachers, nutrition education teachers, grants management specialists, curriculum developers, and school administrators. Peer reviewers may be required to review and evaluate the evidenced-based practice and programs grant applicants proposed to implement school-based programs in the above mentioned content areas.  

The OSHS Grant Application Peer Review Process is designed to ensure that each discretionary grant is evaluated and scored based on responses to the selection criteria.  Therefore, we rely on qualified, external peer reviewers to critically evaluate all submitted grant applications to ensure we receive objective and independent ratings.  Each year we assemble panels of educators, policymakers, and experts to participate in our peer review process. 

The peer review process consists of an orientation; the evaluation and scoring of applications consistent with established selection criteria; written reviews of each application to support the scores; and conference call discussions with other panelists.  The review process for this program will be conducted electronically via the Internet, eliminating the need for any travel to Washington, D.C.  Each peer reviewer is expected to commit approximately 35-40 hours to complete a review of applications on schedule.  Reviewers are expected to review 10-12 applications assigned to their panel and participate in three conference calls panel discussions.  The time frame for this review is compressed, meaning reviewers can expect a very intense review that will last as little as two weeks.

Persons interested in serving as peer reviewers should note the following items, as they are essential elements of what we are seeking in a reviewer for this program:

• The ability to communicate proficiently;
• The ability to interact in a web-based environment including access to the internet, a phone, and a printer;
• The ability to provide thoughtful, analytical, and objective evaluations of proposals using the designated selection criteria;
• The relevant education, training, and/or experience in the subject areas of this grant program;
• Knowledge of related evidenced-based programs and practices related to the subject areas of this grant program;
• Knowledge of and/or experience with program planning, implementation, and/or research and evaluation processes;
• The ability to work collegially with others in a team environment, and meeting established deadlines; and

Reviewers will receive an honorarium after completion of required work assigned to them and submission of mandatory forms.  Persons interested in serving as peer reviewers may apply at any time.

ED solicits reviewers without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, age or disability. Also, please be aware that participation in the peer review process will require reviewers to determine if they have a conflict of interest, or the appearance of a conflict, in reviewing assigned grant applications.  A peer reviewer is considered to have a conflict of interest when the reviewer, or certain individuals and entities with which the reviewer has a relationship, has a financial interest in the outcome of the competition for which he/she is serving as a reviewer.

If you are interested in serving as a reviewer, please register, provide your background information, and upload your most recent resume at www.g5.gov.  This will allow your information to be available to other offices in the Department that are searching for reviewers.  If you have trouble registering, you may contact the G5 Help Desk for assistance.  Their contact information is located on the G5 login screen.

For further information about the review process or how to apply to be a peer reviewer, please contact Christine Pinckney at [email protected].