HOLY CRAP YOU GUYS I GOT MY GRANT SCORE.

Under the new scoring system, NIH peer reviewers assign scores ranging from 1 ("exceptionally strong with essentially no weaknesses") to 9 ("very few strengths and numerous major weaknesses"). These scores are averaged and multiplied by 10, to produce a 2-digit number between 10 and 90. The lower you score, the better. They also figure your percentile, and lower is also better there.

I got a 15. That puts me in the 2nd percentile. I am told that only one, extremely senior, researcher scored better than I did.

Holy crap, you guys!! A 15!! Right up there in "essentially no weaknesses" territory!!

I have never, ever heard of anyone getting this good of a percentile score. My professional stock has just gone way way up.

2nd percentile. 2nd percentile. 2nd percentile.

Not to be immodest, or anything, but I AM THE MOST AWESOME PERSON WHO HAS EVER BEEN AWESOME.

(no subject)

I have spent a pleasant afternoon writing cheerful e-mails about my grant score to my division head, the COO of the Institute, all of my collaborators, someone I've worked with in the Career Development office, the head of the APA CyberMentors program (my actual CyberMentor got a phone call), and my NIH Program Official. The PO called me just now.

PO: Hi, Rebecca, how are you doing today?
Me: I am very, very happy!
PO: (laughs) I bet!

He said that at this point in the process he likes to be able to give people a summary of how their proposal was discussed at the meeting. In my case, "I didn't hear anything negative... only positives." He said that the perception was that I was really responsive to the critiques of my prior proposal, and that the resubmission strengthened my application. "Everyone thinks this project has really high significance" and addresses an important issue. They like that I am using both an HIV clinic site and an AIDS Service Organization site. "They bought the argument about a Motivational Interviewing approach" (in the initial submission, one of the reviewers had doubts) and thought I did a better job of justifying my choice of an attention-only control group.

"And then there are two more general points I wanted to bring out. The comment was made that this is a very well-written application. And one of the reviewers said that you are 'a promising early-career investigator who has good productivity to date.' So they don't just like your application. They like you."

I ♥ my NIH PO so very much. He is so unbelievably sweet and helpful.

He walked me through what comes next. I'll get my Summary Statement (the formal critique from my primary reviewers) in a couple of weeks, after which he'll want me to write a memorandum responding to any residual critiques. Then, in September, the NIMH Advisory Council will review the reviews and factor in their particular funding priorities. In October they make their "pay plan," and somewhere around December they'll start sending out money.

He cautioned me that you can never be absolutely sure of funding until you receive your Notice of Award. But my chances are obviously pretty damn good.