I'm finding this conversation very intriguing. Several weeks ago I posted a note asking a question that actually ties into this one a bit. In that one I said:

"Have you encountered the statement that "pink sheets" (reviews of submitted grant applications) fall under the Sunshine Act of 1976, and therefore all reviewers responses to grant applications should be transparent and available to the public?"

I asked because that is the policy at my new institution, and I didn't think that sounded right to me. At all. And the general response I'm seeing to the question today helps to back up my gut instinct. I was hoping to find someone more familiar with that federal statute, but I didn't get any responses. This group of responses today helps.

Finally I also think the perception is slightly different when you have liberal arts programs versus medical programs. At least, that has been my experience thus far. Research offices are set up differently, and there may in fact be far more involvement in the writing aspect of the programs on the part of the research administrator than at an institution that focuses primarily on science/medical projects. Like everything in this world, I think different institutions will have different shades of gray.

Robin

****************************************************
Robin N Dewey, MS, CRA
Director, Office of Academic and Government Grants
McDaniel College
2 College Hill
Westminster, MD 21157-4390
Voice: 410-386-4699
Cell: 585-797-8536

-----Original Message-----
From: Research Administration List [mailto:xxxxxx@hrinet.org] On Behalf Of Charles Hathaway
Sent: Wednesday, January 19, 2011 9:03 AM
To: xxxxxx@hrinet.org
Subject: Re: [RESADM-L] Proposal Review Comments

I absolutely agree with Spanky's comments.  Every institution differs but if we (at a med school) required that critiques be shown to administrators, the result would be anger and alienation.  There is a REASON why NIH Signing Officials do not have access to a PI's reviews on eRA Commons!

Even if you are dealing with faculty who are less grants savvy and clearly need guidance, I think your best approach is to offer assistance with strategizing and preparing resubmissions.  You can request to see the reviews from those who express interest.

Charlie Hathaway
________________________________________
From: Research Administration List [xxxxxx@hrinet.org] on behalf of Mike McCallister [xxxxxx@IDEATE.COM]
Sent: Wednesday, January 19, 2011 8:45 AM
To: xxxxxx@hrinet.org
Subject: Re: [RESADM-L] Proposal Review Comments

 I wouldn't do this at gunpoint.  If a PI is trounced and mystified as to why, they are going to talk to their colleagues and possibly to you for some insight.  Your "formal" requirement will create the impression that you think that the PI's work for you, that you are a superior who has a right to information so that you can direct their activities.  I assume that your intentions are to help and I understand that pink sheets are a rich source of insight, but the comments have to do with the research design about which you likely know very little detail.  PI's sometimes will continue to make the same mistakes.  However, they are grownups and will learn (or not) experientially.  That means you don't get to see their report cards and they keep trying until they get an award.  If they don't, we aren't in the salvage business, our efforts are for those with fire in their belly, not rocks in their head..

Spanky

-----Original Message-----
From: Research Administration List [mailto:xxxxxx@hrinet.org] On Behalf Of Lawrence Waxler
Sent: Wednesday, January 19, 2011 8:25 AM
To: xxxxxx@hrinet.org
Subject: [RESADM-L] Proposal Review Comments

We are planning on implementing a formal policy which will require PIs to share reviewer comments with us. This will help us guide those who are developing re-submissions and those who have received rejections and are uncertain what course to pursue. To date, we have only asked that these comments be shared with us on an informal/volunteer basis.

So, do any of you have such a policy, and how successful and useful has it been.

Larry

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Larry Waxler, Director
Office of Sponsored Programs
University of Southern Maine
15 Baxter Boulevard
P.O. Box 9300
Portland, ME  04104-9300
Telephone: 207-780-4413
Telefax: 207-780-4927

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======================================================================
 Instructions on how to use the RESADM-L Mailing List, including
 subscription information and a web-searchable archive, are available
 via our web site at http://www.hrinet.org (click on "Listserv Lists")
======================================================================

======================================================================
 Instructions on how to use the RESADM-L Mailing List, including
 subscription information and a web-searchable archive, are available
 via our web site at http://www.hrinet.org (click on "Listserv Lists")
======================================================================

======================================================================
 Instructions on how to use the RESADM-L Mailing List, including
 subscription information and a web-searchable archive, are available
 via our web site at http://www.hrinet.org (click on "Listserv Lists")
======================================================================