Mock Study Sections

Grant Application Mock Study Sections

The Development Core offers Mock Study Sections (MSS) for SoCa Pilot Program PIs and Early Scholar Program participants. These study sections mimic NIH review processes for K or R-level grant submissions. Foundation grants are also eligible for MSS review.

By conducting these study sections, SoCa provides Junior Investigators with both the opportunity to familiarize themselves with grant review processes and the opportunity to strengthen their applications for extramural funding opportunities.

Applications are only eligible for a Mock Study Section if a SoCa participant is a principal investigator.

Recommended Review Timeline

We utilize the following timeframe for most mock study sections. This schedule provides the application reviewers with enough time for meaningful scientific review while giving applicants enough time to incorporate feedback into a stronger submission:

  • Contact SoCa to Request an MSS

    Submit a request for a Mock Study Section to Nicol Combs at nib4013@med.cornell.edu.

    In your request, you must include your drafted Specific Aims Page and information on the grant mechanism that you are applying to.

  • Invitation Sent to Reviewers

    SoCa will review your Specific Aims Page and the mechanism you are applying to.

    After careful consideration, we will reach out to established investigators at external institutions who have successfully applied to the same mechanisms that you are applying to, and with the same research focuses.

  • Submit Full Application Draft to SoCa

    While we convene a group of reviewers, please complete your application draft and submit the materials to us by the 6th week.

    At this point, we will review the materials for completeness.

    Please note that for R-level grants, a full application includes the Specific Aims, Research Plan, and PI Biosketch. For K-level grants, a full application includes the Training Plan, Research Plan, PI Biosketch, and Primary Mentor Biosketch.

  • Application Distributed to Reviewers

    5 weeks out from your application’s deadline we will forward your application materials to the panel of reviewers.

    Reviewers will have approximately 2 weeks to review your materials and complete their feedback.

  • Reviewers’ Feedback Returned to SoCa and Forwarded to Applicant

    Approximately 3 weeks before the deadline, we will receive the reviewers’ feedback on your application. We will forward this feedback to you for incorporation into your final draft.

    The reviewers’ ability to review your materials and our ability forward their feedback to you within this timeframe is based on how quickly you provide your completed materials to us. Please keep this in mind as you work on your application draft.

  • Incorporating Reviewer Feedback

    In the remaining time before your grant deadline, review feedback and incorporate changes to your application.