Become a Federal Grant Reviewer

Most people are unaware that the federal government is always looking for subject matter experts to provide assistance in reviewing and recommending which nonprofits receive grant monies. Most government agencies will pay you to be a federal grant reviewer. It usually requires about a 2-5 days of work, usually in Washington D.C. (they cover travel, hotel and daily expenses.)

Here are a few opportunities that I have identified:

Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration
http://www.samhsa.gov/grants/emailform/index.asp
On a continuous basis, the three centers of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) are seeking professionals to evaluate applications for Federal grants.

• Individuals with background in mental health services and knowledge of community-based systems of care and services for adults with serious mental illnesses and children with serious emotional disturbances.
• Individuals with background and knowledge of substance abuse prevention, who have expertise or experience in working with activities that discourage substance abuse and behaviors increasing the risk of substance abuse.
• Individuals with expertise in evidence-based effective substance abuse treatment services, programs and activities.

Administration for Children and Families (Health and Human Services)
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/grantreview/reviewing/apply_reviewer.html
A grant reviewer is a person who has expertise in the area(s) applicable to a particular grant program (e.g., child care research, child welfare, youth development), can effectively analyze grant applications against criteria, can clearly express his or her evaluation in writing, and is interested in contributing to the advancement of knowledge. Grant review panels are selected to reflect diversity in regard to geographic area, range or type of experience, ethnicity, and gender.

• Child Care Bureau/Office of Family Assistance (CCB)
• Children's Bureau (child welfare)
• Family and Youth Services Bureau
• Office of Head Start
• Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation (OPRE)/ACF

Department of Education
http://www.ed.gov/about/inits/list/fbci/reviewer.html
The U.S. Department of Education continually seeks qualified people to evaluate grant applications. If you have experience and expertise in a particular field of education, you could become a peer (grant) reviewer and see firsthand what it takes to write a successful grant application. Grant Programs seeking reviewers are as follows:

• Early Reading First Program
• Mentoring Program of the Safe and Drug-Free Schools Office
• Migrant Family Education Program
• Migrant Education High School Equivalency Program
• Migrant Education College Assistance Program
• Carol M. White Physical Education Program
• Parental Assistance Centers
• Community Technology Centers
• Upward Bound and Upward Bound Math and Science

Institute of Museum and Library Sciences

http://www.imls.gov/reviewers/become.shtm

All IMLS competitive awards are reviewed by library and museum professionals who know the needs of communities, can share promising practices, and are well versed in the issues and concerns of museums and libraries today. Peer reviewers dedicate their time and expertise to advance the highest professional practices in the field. The IMLS review process is well respected, and the success of our grant programs is largely due to the expertise of our reviewers.

Health Resources and Services Administration
Grant reviewers help HRSA select the best programs from competitive groups of applicants. 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. Reviewers use their expertise to objectively evaluate and score applications against published evaluation criteria. Reviewers gain understanding of the grant-making process while enjoying the opportunity to network with colleagues. HRSA needs new and experienced grant reviewers with expertise in:

• Health professions training
• HIV/AIDS
• Maternal and child health
• Organ transplantation
• Primary care for underserved people
• Rural health

National Endowment for the Arts
http://www.arts.gov/staff/staff_o.php?office=13

Contact Panel Coordinator

Department of Justice
http://www.usdoj.gov/fbci/faq.html#Question13
A peer reviewer is a person who reviews, evaluates, and makes recommendations on grant applications submitted in response to a competitive program announcement (such as a solicitation for grant application [SGA] or a request for proposals [RFP]). Peer reviewers are experts in a field related to the subject of a proposed program (Do you have expertise in criminal justice, juvenile delinquency, victimization, or other crime-related issues) or in the implementation of that type of project and may not be an officer or employee of the Department of Justice.

Please contact us at fbci@usdoj.gov if you are interested in becoming a peer reviewer.

Or email your complete resume to Jana Hoisington (Jana.Hoisington@usdoj.gov ) and copy me (Sarah.Zaslow@usdoj.gov)