External Application Review

The Institute for the Brain and Cognitive Sciences (IBACS) External Application Review (EAR) provides feedback to PIs on how to improve their external grant proposals. Panelists can facilitate mock interviews of in-development proposals and tailored mentoring related to grant writing.

Program Overview

In the current funding landscape, external awards for research are exceptionally competitive. Both new and experienced investigators can benefit from early preparation with multiple rounds of feedback and revision and expert scientific guidance.

The External Application Review Panel supports faculty affiliates applying for competitive external awards. UConn investigators can submit their proposal drafts for formal review by an advisory committee, who will make recommendations for the final proposal. Additionally, external advisors with domain-specific expertise can provide input to significantly enhance the likelihood of achieving a fundable score.

Guidelines for Submission

  • The PI must be a UConn faculty member and an IBACS affiliate.
  • The grant must be for a new or revised NIH or NSF application and should include at least Specific Aims (NIH) or Project Description (NSF), plus three pages of the Approach.
  • The committee will include two UConn faculty members in addition to the external reviewer.
  • Funds must be used toward a $500 honorarium for the external reviewer.
  • The UConn investigator submitting the EAR request submit their request 12 weeks prior to the grant deadline; earlier requests are encouraged.
  • The advisory committee must meet eight weeks prior to the grant deadline.
  • The UConn investigator submitting the EAR request is responsible for submitting a one-page report summarizing the visit and the committee’s recommendations. The document should be signed by another member of the committee.

Become an Affiliate

The External Application Review Panel is open to faculty affiliates. If you are not currently an IBACS affiliate, please complete the affiliate membership form before submitting a request.

Membership Form

How to Apply

Required Materials

All applicants must complete the External Application Review Form. You will be asked to provide the following information with your application:

  • An abstract of the project.
  • Names and affiliations of the external reviewer and three UConn faculty with relevant expertise. Discuss how the external reviewer will contribute to the preparation of the grant.
  • A timeline noting the grant deadline, OVPR deadline, when the grant text will be submitted to the committee, and the timing of the committee meeting.

Key Dates

Requests for the External Application Review Panel are accepted on a rolling basis. The Institute will identify appropriate reviewers within two weeks after you submit the request form.

Contact Us

For questions about the External Application Review Panel, please email ibacs@uconn.edu or contact the IBACS Program Coordinator.