The Office of Safe and Supportive Schools (OSSS) is seeking qualified peer reviewers to read and evaluate discretionary grant proposals for the following FY 2022 grant competitions:

• Project Prevent Grant Program
• School-Based Mental Health Services Grant Program
• Mental Health Services Professional Demonstration Grant Program

For these OSSS grant competitions, a background in one or more of the following areas is particularly helpful:

• Violence prevention and healthy climate promotion;
• Community violence intervention programs;
• School-based mental health services;
• School-based health and wellness;
• Mental health services fieldwork;
• Mental health service provider training partnerships between institutions of higher education and local educational agencies;
• School psychology;
• School counseling;
• School social work;
• Trauma;
• Multitiered systems of support (such as Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS);
• Internships or credential programs;
• Telehealth;
• Project design and implementation;
• Social emotional learning (SEL);
• Student and staff diversity;
• American Indian/Alaska Native students;
• Rural school programs.

The OSSS peer review process consists of an orientation; evaluation and scoring of applications consistent with established selection criteria; written reviews of each application to support the scores; and discussions with other panelists.  The review process for each program will be conducted electronically via the Internet, eliminating the need for any travel to Washington, D.C.  Each peer reviewer is expected to commit approximately 35-40 hours to complete a review of applications on schedule.  Reviewers are expected to review 8-10 applications and participate in approximately three conference calls.  The time for each review is generally compressed; and reviewers can have as little as two weeks to complete the process. Thus, the time commitment may be very intense.

The OSSS grant application peer review process is designed to ensure that each discretionary grant is awarded in accordance with how well each application responds to the evaluation selection criteria. OSSS relies on qualified, external peer reviewers to critically evaluate all eligible applications to ensure we receive objective and independent ratings.

The following skills are essential to what OSSS seeks in peer reviewers and should be noted when applying:

• proficient writing, listening, and speaking ability
• access to the Internet, a phone, and a printer, and the ability to navigate a web-based environment
• superior analytical skills, including the ability to provide thoughtful, objective evaluations of proposals using the designated selection criteria
• education, training, and/or experience in the relevant subject area of the grant program, and knowledge of related evidenced-based programs and practices
• knowledge of and/or experience with program planning, implementation, and/or research and evaluation processes
• ability to meet established deadlines and work collegially with others in a team environment, and
• experience working with diverse groups

The peer review process for these grant programs is anticipated for October and early November. Reviewers will receive an honorarium after successful completion of all assigned work and proper submission of mandatory forms.  Interested reviewers can apply at any time.

If you are interested in serving as a reviewer, please register, provide your background information, and upload your most recent resume at www.g5.gov. This will allow your information to be available to offices in the Department that might be searching for reviewers. If you have any difficulty registering, please contact the G5 Help Desk for assistance using the contact information located on the G5 login screen.  If you have questions regarding the peer review process for these grant programs, feel free to email us at: OESE.OSSS@ed.gov.