Peer Reviewer Comments Disclaimer for NHMRC schemes that provide qualitative feedback.

  • Applications have been assessed by independent peer reviewers against the assessment criteria outlined in the relevant scheme guidelines. Peer reviewers have been assigned applications based on their self-declared suitability and have provided scores and written feedback against the assessment criteria outlined in the scheme guidelines.
  • The feedback provided by peer reviewers is not the view of NHMRC. It is the expert opinion of the independent peer reviewers who assessed the application.
  • Peer reviewers were provided with guidance on what to address in their written feedback against the scheme assessment criteria and are expected to take responsibility for considering the guidance when providing their qualitative feedback.
  • Applicants are reminded that any complaints about peer review are to be directed to their RAO in the first instance (NHMRC Complaints Policy).
  • NHMRC will consider complaints submitted by an RAO where a claim that the peer review process was not correctly followed is supported by evidence. NHMRC will not consider complaints about the merits of the feedback provided by peer reviewers (or associated scores).
  • NHMRC has used its best endeavours to obtain the maximum number of independent assessments for each application as outlined in the relevant scheme guidelines.
  • Where peer reviewers withdrew from the process during the assessment stage, NHMRC will have attempted to find replacement peer reviewers. However, it is not always possible to find replacement peer reviewers, despite NHMRC’s best efforts. As a result, some applications may have received fewer than the specified number of assessments published in the relevant grant guidelines. Please note that receiving fewer independent assessments does not, of itself, provide a basis for an applicant to lodge a complaint.
  • Some NHMRC schemes have conducted an outlier screening process to identify applications that had outlier scores. NHMRC has reviewed those applications where there was a clear discrepancy between the scores and comments provided and has sought clarification from the relevant peer reviewers.