Types of Advisory Committees at the National Institutes of Health and Their Functions
| Type | Function |
|---|---|
| Integrated or initial review group (IRG) | Provides the first level of peer review for grant applications and contract proposals |
| Special emphasis panel (SEP) | Like IRGs, provides a first level of peer review. Unlike IRG, has no standing memberships; members are designated to serve for individual meetings rather than appointed for fixed terms |
| National advisory council or board (NAC) | Performs the second level of peer review and offers advice on policy and program development for institutes and centers as well as oversight of intramural research |
| Board of scientific counselors (BSC) | Reviews and evaluates investigators and research programs of intramural laboratories |
| Program advisory committee (PAC) | Provides advice on specific research programs and future research needs and opportunities |