Edge Review is an NIH-like internal study section by senior Vanderbilt faculty. Reviews are conducted in advance of NIH cycles for R, K, or F series, or equivalents for basic and clinical investigation.
Why Submit Your Grant for an Edge Review?
Edge Reviews help investigators:
- Identify weaknesses before submission
- Understand potential reviewer concerns
- Improve responsiveness to funding announcements
- Strengthen grantsmanship skills
- Prioritize revisions before deadlines
Following the review, you’ll receive written critiques and a recording of the discussion so you can address key recommendations before submission
YOU MUST SUBMIT A NEW SURVEY OF INTENT EACH TIME YOU WANT A GRANT REVIEWED. Do not go back to old surveys and update them.
We offer an internal review by senior faculty of any R, K, or F application, as well as applications for other federal and foundation funding sources. We cannot review applications for VFRS or other K12 or equivalent programs on campus, only extramural awards. Proposals may include first submissions (A0), resubmissions (A1), and renewals for basic, translational and clinical investigation for the corresponding NIH cycle.
VIEW THE 2026 SCHEDULE AND DUE DATES
VIEW THE 2027 SCHEDULE AND DUE DATES
This service complements, but cannot replace, the input of your mentor, department or division senior faculty members.
All materials are due by 5:00 PM Central Time on the corresponding due date. Any requests for extensions must be received before the deadline and will be granted at the program manager’s discretion.
You will receive an individual video recording link and reviewers’ written critiques within a few days of the review, giving you time to respond to recommendations before it’s time to submit to the NIH. You are strongly encouraged to watch the video with your mentor. (Note: AIDS reviews are not videotaped.)
Support the next generation of scholars by providing expert feedback on grant applications while helping foster a culture of excellence, mentorship, and collaboration across Vanderbilt.
Complete a Survey of Intent by the corresponding due date. You will need your draft abstract, specific aims page and current NIH biosketch.
Email a SINGLE PDF of below listed Grant Materials by the corresponding due date to rebecca.helton@vumc.org.
The minimum requirements are called out below. All other documents are strongly encouraged in order to receive the most thorough review.
- REQUIRED: Specific Aims – single page
- REQUIRED: Research Strategy – note/highlight your responses if revision/resubmission
- REQUIRED: Key personnel and NIH biosketches
- REQUIRED: If K-award: must include career development and RCR training plans
- REQUIRED: If revision/resubmission: include summary statement
- Cover letter – can be to us or your NIH institute
- Project Summary/Abstract (~30 lines)
- Your response if revision/resubmission
- References cited
- Facilities and resources
- PHS Human Subjects and Clinical Trials Information Attachments (if applicable)
- Letters of support – drafts okay
- Budget – drafts okay
- If non-NIH or new NIH grant type (i.e., R35): include copy of RFA
- Use the NIH format required for your application.
- Reference the correct RFA for your application.
- Include as much information as you can to help ensure you receive the best possible review. We understand some letters of support and budgets may not be completely ready at the time of review.
The success of Edge Reviews depends on experienced Vanderbilt faculty who volunteer their time and expertise to review proposals and provide thoughtful, constructive feedback. Their generosity helps investigators strengthen applications, develop grantsmanship skills, and prepare for competitive funding opportunities.
Outcomes of grants you have reviewed
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Info for first-time reviewers
I submitted my K99 to the NIH yesterday, so I wanted to reach out and thank you all for the excellent suggestions and critiques provided as part of the Edge for Scholars Study Section. I was able to address most of the critiques, and I really think they strengthened my research proposal. The EFS review was a really great opportunity, and I'm so glad I participated. Thank you all for your time and effort in reviewing for this program.
~ Edge Review Participant
Thank you for the opportunity to participate in this. It was helpful for me to have this experience and I hope my comments are helpful to the applicants. I have used this resource several times as an applicant and have found it invaluable when writing my own grants.
~ Edge Reviewer
Seeing the reviewers think critically about the grant was very helpful. It helped me see more of the dynamics of how the issues were being thought about, and filled in more details about concerns that were raised. There was also one reviewer (who had not directly reviewed the grant) who brought up the EXACT question I needed help answering. Watching that question get addressed and discussed was exceptionally helpful.
~ Edge Review Participant
Research Associate Professor
- R01
Research Assistant Professor
- K25
Assistant Professor
- R01
Assistant Professor
- K01 Recipient
