O-K Review

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Help when you need it most: mentoring and review of your
NIH K application, plus R01 & R21 applications for first-time submitters!

What is an O-K Review?

The O-K Review Committee facilitates a mock study section that provides critical reviews and constructive feedback on select NIH grant applications before submission. The committee primarily focuses on K awards while also accepting F, R01, and R21 applications from first-time submitters. Members of the committee include Drs. Mary Lewinski, Laramie Smith, Sara Gianella, Eileen Pitpitan, and Joe Ix.

Initially established for HIV/AIDS applications, this process has been extended to applicants from the Department of Medicine (DOM) for topics beyond this focus area. Those who submit applications for review are encouraged to evaluate their peers’ submissions, enabling them to experience the review process from both perspectives.

We hope that the insights gained from these mock study section reviews, as well as the networking connections made, will have a lasting impact well beyond the NIH due dates. Best of all, this valuable service is offered free of charge!

NOTE: As of May 2026, the O-K Review cycle will be offered only three times a year, aligned with the standard NIH submission deadlines of February, June, and October. This is in accordance with NOT-OD-26-029.

O-K Review Requirements

Applications will undergo a Full Review only if the following requirements are met; otherwise, they will receive a Limited Review, which includes written feedback but excludes participation in a panel review:

  • All major scientific sections are thoroughly drafted.
  • For K-series grants: You have completed at least one round of review and revision with your mentors. Click here for the K Application Checklist.
  • For R-series grants: You have completed at least one round of review and revision with your Co-Investigators. Click here for the R Application Checklist.
  • The application complies with NIH formatting requirements and adheres to page limits.
  • You are available to attend and participate in the Zoom review panel. If you are unable to do so, you will receive a Limited Review only.
  • Your specific aims and application must be submitted on time. Partial document submissions will also result in a Limited Review.

As part of the review and learning process, you will be asked to serve as a reviewer for one of the other submitted applications. Specific Aims must be submitted by the specified deadline to participate in the O-K Review process.

Your Success Matters!

It is important for SD CFAR to know the outcome of investigator’s participation in the O-K Review process. It is a key indicator used to document value-added as well as to justify resources allocated to the O-K Review. If you have participated in the O-K Review in the past, you must have provided NIH funding outcome information for prior applications to the Administrative Core (cfar@ucsd.edu) to be eligible to participate.

NIH Submission Cycle

ItemActionDue Dates: June 2026 Submission CycleDue Dates: May 2026 Submission CycleDue Dates: February 2027 Submission Cycle
Specific AimsSpecific aims of the proposed application with the SD CFAR cover sheet should be submitted no later than this date in order to participate in the OK Review mock study sections.
SUBMISSION FORM
Late submissions will not be accepted		Monday, April 6, 2026Monday, August 3, 2026Monday, November 23, 2026
Application
Applications submitted for review by 5:00 pm PT.
Applicants must have submitted their Specific Aims by the April 9 deadline to receive an application link and to participate in the OK Review mock study section for this cycle.		Monday, April 20, 2026Monday, August 17, 2026Monday, December 7, 2026
O-K Review
O-K Review panel via Zoom,
NOTE: All applicants are expected to be present at this meeting.		Tuesday, May 5, 2026
12:00 – 3:00 pm PT		Tuesday, September 1, 2026
8:00 – 11:00 am PT		Monday, January 11, 2027
2:00 – 5:00 pm PT
Submit to NIHApplications due at NIH. This timeline is based on standard Medicine application deadlines, your application may have a different deadline. Applicants are responsible for verifying due dates with NIH.Friday, June 5, 2026Monday, October 5, 2026Friday, February 5, 2027

Check out testimonials and successes from the O-K Review!

1 R01 MH123282 01A1 | “NEXUS: A novel social network approach to intersectional stigma”

“The K to R transition is quite honestly an increasing statistical improbability when pay lines are set at 9%, and you have a finite number of opportunities to submit a competitive R in the latter years of your K award. You need to take advantage of every opportunity you have to refine your research plan and enhance your grantsmanship precision. The OK Review does just that by providing access to seasoned NIH reviewers invested in your success. OK Reviewers help you to identify potential weaknesses in time for you to address them and have the strongest shot at making it into the top 10 percentile to be considered for funding as an ESI.

I purposefully requested reviewers that I knew would tear my months of hard work to shreds so that I could build back better. Having that request honored was worth it, with my R01 submission scoring in the 2nd percentile. Beyond the technical support, my reviewers also provided excellent mentorship and social support following the review to navigate this challenging process, reminding me I need to hold tight to my bulldogged persistence if I want to win at these odds. The only drawback to getting my 1st R01 is that I transitioned out of my ESI status and OK Review eligibility. I’m thrilled to be launching the next chapter in my career with SD CFAR!”

1R21AI134295-01 | “Effect of Sex Hormones on HIV Persistence”

“It is becoming increasingly hard for junior investigators to receive any NIH fundings to support their independent research. This is even harder for international researchers (like me), since we don’t qualify for most career developmental grants. After uncountable failures, I submitted my R21 to the OK study section for review. The reviewers raised concerns that it was too ambitious and suggested to split the project in two separate applications.

I followed their suggestion and both R21s were funded at the first submission with excellent scores. I think the input from the OK study section has been crucial for my success. I would definitively recommend to all junior researcher to take advantage of this amazing opportunity. As an OK reviewer myself, I also encourage all CFAR investigators to serve as reviewers since it really makes a difference.”

“Mitochondrial biogenesis dysfunction in the CNS of HIV-infected individuals on antiretroviral therapy”

On the other hand, reviewing applications through the OK-Review process has also served as a valuable tool for my development as a scientist. I strongly suggest that trainees take advantage of this tremendous resource for career development.”

“The OK-Review process was instrumental in the crafting my K01 application. I struggled for 2+ years to write a fundable K-application and establish a clear pathway to independence as a principal investigator. After multiple attempts of getting scored just outside the funding range, twice the reviewers of the OK-Review committee helped me get my score cut in half. The OK-Review team provided the sort of constructive and unbiased criticism that is needed to get through the NIH review process.

Application Details

As part of the review and learning process, you will be asked to serve as a reviewer for one of the other submitted applications. As noted above, all applicants are expected to attend and participate in the Zoom review panel. If you are unable to do so, you will receive a limited review only. Additionally, if partial documents are submitted, there will be a limited review only. Specific Aims must be submitted by the stated deadline in order to participate in the O-K Review process.

It is important for SD CFAR to know the outcome of investigator’s participation in the O-K Review process. It is a key indicator used to document value-added as well as to justify resources allocated to the O-K Review. If you have participated in the O-K Review in the past, you must have provided NIH funding outcome information for prior applications to the Administrative Core (cfar@ucsd.edu) to be eligible to participate.

K APPLICATION CHECKLIST:

Questions to consider:

  1. Have all the major, mandatory science sections (above) been thoroughly drafted?
  2. If this is a K-series grant, have you already undergone at least one round of review and revisions with your mentors?
  3. Does your application meet NIH formatting requirements and page limits?

R APPLICATION CHECKLIST:

Questions to consider:

  1. Have all the major, mandatory science sections (above) been thoroughly drafted?
  2. If this is an R-series grant, have you already undergone at least one round of review and revisions with your Co-Investigators?
  3. Does your application meet NIH formatting requirements and page limits?

NOTE:

  • If you’ve answered “yes” to all of the above applicable questions, then your application is eligible for OK review. If you’ve answered “no” to any of the questions, you will only qualify for a limited review only.
  • If partial documents are submitted, there will be a limited review.
  • If applicants are unable to attend the Zoom or in-person review panel, there will be a limited review.
  • As part of the review and learning process, you will be asked to serve as a reviewer for one of the other submitted applications.
  • If you have any comments or questions, please email us at cfar@ucsd.edu.

Potential Reviewers

If you are interested in participating as a reviewer one or more of the above mock study sections, please email cfar@ucsd.edu.