Course Description

This short course covers the four NIH rigor scoring criteria introduced in 2016 and revised almost every year since: Rigor of Prior Research; Scientific Rigor; Consideration of Relevant Biological Variables; and Authentication of Key Biological and/or Chemical Resources. These four scoring criteria have caused grantees a great deal of consternation. We will discuss where in the application they should appear, and will review instructions, guidance, and scoring criteria. I will provide examples of well-written sections from recent grant applications.

Updated: March 4, 2021

CME Activity Term
Credit: 0.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
Original Release Date: August 30, 2021
Review Date (s): August 2, 2022
Termination Date: August 30, 2023

Preview and Excerpt of this Course

Course Details

Who:  Grantees preparing an NIH submission and seeking to be aware of recent and upcoming changes in these important scoring criteria.

When:  Available on demand

Cost:  $99

CME Learning Objectives

At the end of this 25-minute course, participants will be able to:

  1. Identify information that would satisfy the 4 rigor scoring criteria;
  2. Write thorough yet cogent sections that will satisfy reviewers
  3. Critique these important sections in other grantee’s applications

Disclosure Statement

All individuals in control of the content for an MMS accredited continuing education activity must disclose all financial relationships with ineligible companies. For this activity, individuals in control of content did not disclose any financial relationships with ineligible companies.

Accreditation Statement and AMA Credit Designation Statement

Accreditation Statement 

This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of the Massachusetts Medical Society and Meg Bouvier Medical Writing, LLC. The Massachusetts Medical Society is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians. 

AMA Credit Designation Statement 

The Massachusetts Medical Society designates this internet enduring material for a maximum of 0.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Content Disclaimer

Course content updated March 4, 2021. Content of this course was updated and re-recorded on this date. The content was accurate at that time. We recommend that you search for changes that may have occurred to the content since the recording date. Note that the course title may have been modified slightly since the recording.