Potomac Institute for Policy Studies

Peer review is recognized as the foundation of scientific advancement. It is recognized as the most powerful tool to ensure that sound science, or as we call it Best Available Science, is used in governmental including regulatory decisions. Most funding organizations in the U.S. and in other countries use peer review as one of the key factors in determining grant awards. Similarly, most scientific journals use peer review for accepting a manuscript.

Based on a Congressional mandate, the Office of Management and Budget, an agency within the White House, published a guide in 2005 that required U.S. agencies develop guides on activities that must be peer reviewed and the peer review process itself. This workshop aimed to facilitate exchange of information among agencies on the experience of using their respective peer review processes.

Who attended:

• Staff of funding and regulatory agencies
• Editors of scientific journals
• Reviewers who support agencies and journals
• Those seeking grants and contracts
• Regulated communities and their legal representatives 
• Others who want to understand the peer review process

What was discussed:

• How different Federal Agencies’ peer review processes work, and comparison to international agencies
• Selection of peer reviewers
• Avoiding conflict of interest
• Cost-effectiveness of different peer review processes
• How to learn from others’ experiences with peer review in seeking funds or submitting manuscripts
• Peer review in the digital age