Become a Reviewer for the National Fellowship Program: Information for New Reviewers 

Each year, Graduate Women In Science (GWIS) recruits highly-qualified subject matter experts to review proposals for our annual National Fellowship Program. GWIS welcomes reviewers irrespective of gender or sex. The program awards competitive fellowships to emerging women scholars with great potential, advancing the participation and recognition of women in scientific fields. Our reviewers’ careful selection, application feedback, and guidance for further improvements have proved invaluable to our organization’s dual mission: recognizing the achievements of early-career women in STEM, Life Science, and related Social Science fields, and cultivating the talents of emerging women researchers (especially women from underrepresented backgrounds). 

Our reviewers help GWIS make decisions about funding opportunities and provide guidance and encouragement to applicants in the crucial early stage of their research careers.

NOTE: You may NOT serve as a Reviewer for the National Fellowship Program if you submit an application during the current funding cycle, or if you have another relevant conflict of interest.

Reviewer Evaluation and Selection Process: 

If selected, prospective reviewers will receive an official invitation between February and May. Using the criteria stated in the evaluation form, reviewers will carefully read and evaluate each application with specific regard to the discipline and the stage of graduate study.
 
Reviewers assess the overall proposal, which includes the following components: the GWIS fellowship application form, an abstract, a project description (four pages), a budget and justification, a letter from the applicant’s host scientist (if applicable), a few short essays, and two letters of recommendation.
 
On the evaluation form, reviewers assign a numerical score to each component and provide comments. These comments offer constructive feedback for strengthening the project. Reviewers begin their evaluations in February and complete evaluations no later than May 15th.
 
Please follow the link below to complete your interest form by January 15th. Forms submitted after that date will be held for future appointments. 

Link to the National Fellowship Program Reviewer Interest Form

Areas of Expertise Needed by Program:

We are seeking experts in one or more of the following STEM, Life Science, and related Social Science fields: Anthropology, Astronomy, Cell Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Biochemistry, Developmental Biology, Ecology, Engineering, Evolutionary Biology, Food Science, Genetics, Genomics, Geology, Immunology, Medicine, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Neuroscience, Nutritional Science, Paleontology, Physics, Physiology, Plant Biology, Psychology, Toxicology, or Zoology. 
*Note: this is not an exhaustive list, but are the main research fields from which we receive applications for review.

If you have any questions about reviewing for GWIS National Fellowship Program or the reviewer interest form, please contact us at nfp@gwis.org.