How will NHLBI decide which applications to fund?
The decision to fund will be based on three criteria: the scientific merits of the projects described within an application, the availability of funds, and program priorities. These decisions are made at two levels of review. In the first level of review, applications are evaluated for scientific merit by a tailored committee known as a Special Emphasis Panel, or SEP. This committee is composed of scientists and clinicians, like you, with demonstrated expertise in the fields related to cell-based therapy. The committee is tasked with the difficult job of stratifying the applications received and identifying those it considers to be meritorious. It does this by assigning to each, a composite score that reflects the significance of the proposed protocols, the soundness of the proposed protocols, the Clinical Center’s ability to carry out the proposed studies and patient access, and the abilities of the Clinical Center applicants to participate in the network. The committee’s critiques ar
