An Insider’s Look at HRSA Grants: Become a Reviewer

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) is the primary federal agency for improving access to health care services for people who are uninsured, isolated, or medically vulnerable. HRSA’s Bureau of Health Workforce (BHW) works to improve the health of underserved and vulnerable populations by strengthening the health workforce.

The BHW is currently seeking new and experienced grant reviewers to strengthen its Objective Review Committee (ORC) process. Reviewers use their expertise to objectively evaluate and score applications against published evaluation criteria. Reviewers gain understanding of the grant-making process and have the opportunity to communicate with colleagues that often share common backgrounds and interests.

Subject matter experts and professionals register in our reviewer database and are selected based on their expertise. Reviewers are chosen for specific grant programs based on their knowledge, education, and experience. Grant review panels are selected to reflect diversity of ethnicity, gender, experience, and geography.

HRSA grant reviews are usually held via the Internet along with a telephone conference call or as a field review where reviewers independently review applications with limited group discussions as necessary. In rare instances, HRSA will conduct face-to-face reviews in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area lasting for three to five days. In such cases, HRSA makes all logistical arrangements and pays for travel expenses and other costs. Each non-federal reviewer who participates and completes their assigned duties receives an honorarium.

You are invited to register in the Reviewer Recruitment Module (RRM).

• Download the RRM Registration Manual for step-by-step instructions to ensure a smooth registration process.
• When you enter the Reviewer Recruitment Module to register and request a validation code, you must keep the RRM open (but minimized) while you retrieve and copy and paste the code from your email.
• Complete the profile page, expertise, and specialties sections, and both upload and cut and paste your resume as instructed.
• After registering, you can email RRMTechAssistance@hrsa.gov to verify that you have successfully and completely registered so that you can be contacted for future reviews.

Further information on the objective review process is on the HRSA Grant Reviewers page, The Importance of Independent Evaluation recorded webinar, and Panel Participation: What to Expect recorded webinar. For more information on the release of funding opportunity announcements, please refer to the BHW Grants Bulletin.