Course Description

This course covers the four NIH rigor scoring criteria introduced in 2016 and revised periodically since: Rigor of Prior Research; Scientific Rigor; Consideration of Relevant Biological Variables; and Authentication of Key Biological and/or Chemical Resources. Because reviewers love to criticize these sections, they cause applicants a great deal of consternation. I will provide tips and samples of space-saving strategies to write effective rigor sections.

Updated: January 17, 2024

CME Activity Term
Credit: 0.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
Original Release Date: August 30, 2021
Review Date(s): August 2, 2022; August 30, 2023; February 16, 2024
Termination Date: August 30, 2024

Preview and Excerpt of this Course

Course Details

Who:  Applicants preparing an NIH submission and seeking guidance on these important scoring criteria.

When:  Available on demand

Cost:  $199

CME Learning Objectives

At the end of this 40-minute course, participants will be able to:

  1. Identify information that would satisfy the 4 rigor scoring criteria;
  2. Write thorough yet cogent sections that will satisfy reviewers
  3. Critique these important sections in other grantee’s applications

Disclosure Statement

All individuals in control of the content for an MMS accredited continuing education activity must disclose all financial relationships with ineligible companies for the past 24 months. For this activity, individuals in control of content did not disclose any relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies.

Accreditation Statement and AMA Credit Designation Statement

Accreditation Statement 

This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of the Massachusetts Medical Society and Meg Bouvier Medical Writing, LLC. The Massachusetts Medical Society is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians. 

AMA Credit Designation Statement 

The Massachusetts Medical Society designates this internet enduring material for a maximum of 0.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Content Disclaimer

Course content updated January 17, 2024. Content of this course was updated and re-recorded on this date. The content was accurate at that time. We recommend that you search for changes that may have occurred to the content since the recording date. Note that the course title may have been modified slightly since the recording.