Peer Review

What is a Peer Reviewer?

A peer reviewer is an expert in the same science field as the work being proposed (peer). Their review of the submitted work is considered necessary to ensure academic scientific quality.

The AHA recruits reviewers who work on basic, clinical, and population research in the following areas:

What is the Peer Review Process?

Chairpersons and reviewers receive training/orientation to the AHA review process and criteria.

Peer reviewers are grouped into committees according to the type of award being applied for and by science topic.

Reviewers read the abstracts of the applications to be considered by their committee and mark their familiarity with each proposal’s topic. Reviewers never see a proposal with which they are in conflict, such as a proposal from their institution or from a collaborator, co-author, or personal relationship. Every precaution is taken to avoid apparent or perceived bias.

The American Heart Association DOES NOT permit the use of a large language model (LLM – e.g. ChatGPT) or an artificial intelligence tool to generate and/or edit content in peer review critiques. Uploading of any portion of a research proposal into a large language model (LLM – e.g. ChatGPT) or an artificial intelligence tool to assist in writing a critique of the proposal is explicitly prohibited as it is a violation of the AHA’s Peer Reviewer Certification Statement (to include confidentiality, non-disclosure, and conflict of interest). 

After their initial individual in-depth evaluations, the reviewers come together in their review committee, which might also include lay volunteers, to further discuss and score each proposal’s merit and potential impact on the AHA mission.

Why be an AHA Peer Reviewer?

• Provides a substantial addition to curricula vitae to be noticed throughout the science community.
• Serves as a key point for tenure track and other promotions within most institutions.
• Reviewers are exposed to relevant scientific breakthroughs happening daily in their specialties.
• Peer review meetings bring about camaraderie and become a springboard for networking to initiate collaborative projects.
• Advances interaction with other AHA council members.

Who can be an AHA Peer Reviewer?

• Scientists who are actively engaged in research or who have had appropriate research experience
• Minimum Assistant Professor career level or equivalent. Those with non-academic appointments who possess significant expertise will be considered.
• Nationally recognized competence in one or more fields of biomedical research.
• Current or recent independent peer reviewed funding, typically at the national level or equivalent research funding for reviewers employed in industry or government.
• Consistent record of peer reviewed publications within the past five years.
• AHA professional membership is encouraged.
• Unconscious bias training for all AHA peer reviewers is strongly encouraged but not required.

How are Peer Reviewers Selected?

Peer reviewers may be referred by fellow peer reviewers, AHA Research Committee members, and by registering through ProposalCentral. They are also recruited from among AHA awardees and AHA Professional Council members. Each committee chairperson reviews candidates and selects a team based on their specific area of science and the volume of proposals received.