Procedure for Selection of Peer Review Committee Members

CIHR invites members of the health research community to join specific Peer Review Committees (PRCs), based on their area(s) of expertise. Members of standing PRCs generally serve a 3-year (up to six peer review meetings) term as a member and can serve an additional 3 years (or six meetings) as a Chairperson or Scientific Officer. There are several criteria used for committee membership.

Researchers are also invited to join PRCs convened for non-standing funding opportunities. In these instances, members' services are requested by as required.

PRC members serve in a variety of roles such as: Committee Chair; Scientific Officer, Reviewer, Reader, Community Reviewer and Decision-Maker.

Selection Process

CIHR program delivery personnel and management are responsible for the final selection of PRC members. This process is designed to maintain excellence in the peer review process. Another key factor in the selection process is the need to maintain transparency in the identification and selection of peer reviewers. To that effect, lists of potential members are solicited from various sources: partner organizations; CIHR strategic leads; current PRC members; applicants, various databases and the internet.

For standing PRCs, program delivery staff identify PRC members who have completed their terms on the committee. Those who have been a PRC member for a full term may be recommended for Chairperson or Scientific Officer. It is recommended that these roles be filled by individuals with recent PRC experience. In order to fill gaps left by departing members, current expertise needs are evaluated and the gaps filled accordingly keeping in mind the need for language capabilities, geographical distribution of members, gender balance, minimizing Conflicts of Interest (COI), etc.

For non-standing PRCs, the expertise requirements, as determined by the nature of the funding opportunity for which the PRC was created, drive the selection process. A core committee is formed based on that and then gaps are filled once the applications come in again keeping in mind, remaining expertise required, language capabilities, geographical distribution of members, gender balance, minimizing Conflicts of Interest (COI), etc.

CIHR retains the final word on PRC membership but does extensively consult with relevant groups.

At the center of all the selection efforts, remains the goal of providing to applicants the best available expertise to review their submissions.

Future direction

CIHR Governing Council recommends an increase in international representation on each PRC: this should lessen the potential for conflict and decrease pressure on the Canadian scientific community. Strategies to facilitate the inclusion of more members from the international research community will be gradually implemented by CIHR.