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Scientific Peer Review

Success Stories

Peer review

In terms of deliverables, Oak Ridge Associated Universities’ (ORAU) scientific peer review provides confidence that research funding has been well allocated and accountability for ensuring the ultimate goal of the research has been met.

Recognizing there is no substitute for independent and objective assessments, ORAU continues to excel in peer review management by designing and implementing highly credible scientific peer review programs and by continuously collaborating with customers to make necessary modifications for future improvements.

To learn more about some of our recent areas of success, feel free to browse through some of the case studies listed below.

Businessman reading tablet computerImproving a Complex Peer Review Process through Convenient, Real-Time Data

ORAU improved its Web-based tools to allow for the approval of review presentations and the assignment of reviewers to specific presentations prior to the five-day U.S. Department of Energy’s Hydrogen Fuel Cells and Vehicles Technologies annual program evaluation and review.

Missouri RiverORAU Established as Third Party Science Neutral to Support Missouri River Project

ORAU has established a six-member independent science advisory panel to evaluate several questions about how the Missouri River should be restored to a more natural condition.

PeerNetThe State of ORAU’s PeerNet—Today and Tomorrow

Recently, ORAU finished the first half of a major update to PeerNet. This project, which will be completed at the end of FY11 (September), is designed to continue the evolution of PeerNet to fit both current and future customers’ needs.

ORAU’s Contract Wording Saves DOE More than $100K in Hotel Costs

After a massive snowstorm disrupted a DOE Genomic Science meeting, ORAU was able to save the agency more than $100,000 due to the addition of a clause that allowed cancellation of the contract.

ORAU’s Scientific Peer Review Program Continues to Grow

The year 2010 proved to be one of tremendous growth for ORAU’s Scientific Peer Review program, which saw a 20 percent increase in projects and a 30 percent jump in expenditures.

ORAU Delivers Cost Savings and Customer Service with Off-the-Shelf Software

ORAU team built a project tracking and management system with off-the-shelf products—an immediate cost and time-saver.

Inter-rater Reliability aims to Bring Standardization to ORAU Scientific Peer Reviews

ORAU’s Scientific Peer Review Program is using a new initiative termed “inter-rater reliability” to establish standards or a level of agreement among reviewers when rating a proposal.

ORAU Assists NNSA in Evaluating Roadrunner Supercomputer

ORAU facilitated a panel review where independent reviewers learned from vendors and Los Alamos National Laboratory program managers about progress being made on the IBM Roadrunner’s design, implementation and operation.

ORAU Finds New Uses for PeerNet Application

In maintaining our commitment to continuous process improvement, ORAU has added new features to our award-winning PeerNet review database.

Ben EstesORAU Partners with DHS University Programs to Strengthen Homeland Security

ORAU has worked together with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Office of University Programs to provide scientific peer reviews to help identify research that is designed to enhance our nation’s security.

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