Grant Review Feedback: Appropriateness and Usefulness

Abstract The primary goal of the peer review research grant proposals is to evaluate their quality for funding agency. An important secondary provide constructive feedback applicants resubmissions. However, little known about whether achieves this goal. In paper, we present a multi-methods analysis responses from regarding perceptions effectiveness and appropriateness they received submissions. Overall, 56–60% determined be appropriate (fair, well-written, well-informed), although judgments were more favorable if recent application was funded. Importantly, independent success, women found better written than men, white fair non-white applicants. Also, variety biases specifically reported in respondents’ feedback. Less 40% very useful informing improving grantsmanship future Further, negative positively correlated with usefulness. respondents suggested that highly competitive pay-lines poor inter-panel reliability limited usefulness these results suggest effort needed ensure provided all applicants, bolstering equity process likely resubmitted proposals.