In a significant shift aimed at improving fairness, clarity, and scientific focus in peer review, the NIH rolled out its Simplified Review Framework (SRF) for most research project grants submitted on or after January 25, 2025. This shift is the result of years of community input, advisory council deliberations, and pilot testing. For our UW School of Nursing applicants, understanding what’s changed—and what your reviewers are now being asked to prioritize—is essential to crafting a competitive research proposal.
Why did the NIH make this change?
The Simplified Review Framework was designed to address prominent concerns in the peer review process. These included:
- Overemphasis on technical minutiae in the research approach.
- Inadequate attention to significance and innovation.
- Bias toward well-known investigators and institutions, which may have disadvantaged new or less-established applicants.
- Review fatigue from administrative and compliance-related distractions.
By streamlining the criteria and refocusing the reviewers’ attention on core scientific questions (see below), the NIH hopes they will be able to to better identify high-impact research that improves the health of all Americans.
Focus on the Three Core Factors
Previously, NIH reviewers scored applications based on five criteria: Significance, Investigator(s), Innovation, Approach, and Environment. Under the Simplified Review Framework, these have been consolidated into three core factors:
- Importance of the Research – Should this research be done? If so, why?
- Rigor and Feasibility – Can it be done well? If so, How?
- Expertise and Resources – Are the right people and tools in place to do it?
Each of the first two factors is scored on a 1–9 scale. The third is evaluated as either “appropriate” or “additional expertise/resources needed,” with comments required only if gaps are identified.
What This Means for Applicants
Make the Case for Importance
The first and arguably most critical question reviewers will ask is: Should this research be done and why? Applicants must clearly articulate the scientific importance of their work—not just its relevance to public health. This means:
- Framing the research question in a compelling way.
- Demonstrating how the work addresses a significant gap in knowledge.
- Avoiding jargon and making the case accessible to a broad scientific audience.
A clear, persuasive rationale for the study’s importance can set the tone for the entire review.
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Demonstrate Rigor Without Getting Lost in the Weeds
Reviewers are being encouraged to avoid nitpicking and instead focus on whether the proposed approach is rigorous and feasible. Applicants should:
- Present a well-structured, logical plan.
- Anticipate potential challenges and describe how they’ll be addressed.
- Emphasize methodological soundness without overwhelming the reader with excessive detail.
The goal is to instill confidence that the research can be executed effectively, even if every contingency isn’t fully mapped out.
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Show That the Team and Resources Are Ready
The third factor—Expertise and Resources—is no longer numerically scored, but it still matters. Reviewers will flag weaknesses only when they’re significant. Applicants should:
- Clearly describe the qualifications of the team as they relate to the project.
- Highlight access to necessary facilities, equipment, and institutional support.
- Avoid over-relying on reputation; focus on relevance and readiness.
This change is designed to reduce reputational bias and level the playing field for newer investigators and institutions.
Additional Considerations: Less Is More
The Simplified Review Framework also reduces the burden of additional review criteria. While issues like human subjects protections use can still affect the overall impact score, others—such as budget and resource authentication—no longer do. This allows reviewers to stay focused on their science.
Final Thoughts
The NIH’s Simplified Review Framework represents a cultural shift in how grant applications are evaluated. For all of our investigators, the message is clear: focus on the science. Make a strong case for why your research matters to science and people, show that it can be done well, and demonstrate that your team is the best equipped to do it. By aligning your application with these priorities, you’ll be better positioned to succeed in this new era of NIH peer review. Please remember that the Office for Nursing Research & Innovation is available to partner with you as design and write (and re-write) your proposals. Feel free to reach out to us at any time to assist you in your grant writing journey.