Welcome to the NIFA Virtual Panel Manager Orientation! Thank you for serving as a peer review Panel Manager. The training modules below should be completed prior to starting work with your program if possible. If you have any questions, please speak to the NIFA staff working on your program. NIFA may conduct group question and answer sessions and your National Program Leader will notify you if one is scheduled.
Required Video Training
The following YouTube videos do not need to be viewed sequentially. (Total time: approximately 2 hours 45 minutes)
- Understanding Implicit Bias (31:01)
Bias can be a factor in panel functions, NIFA strives to minimize its impact on the review process. - Overview of NIFA Competitive Programs (18:21)
General information about NIFA and its competitive grant programs. - Overview of Integrated Programs (7:53)
General information about NIFA's integrated programs that combine education, extension, and/or research. - Conflict of Interest Criteria, Confidentiality and Research Misconduct in the Review Process (26:30)
Specifics about how NIFA handles conflicts of interest, confidentiality, and research misconduct in the review process. - Selection of Panelists and Ad Hoc Reviewers; Proposal Assignments (11:17)
Panel Manger tasks that are undertaken prior to the panel meeting. - Explanation of Appointment, Role of the Panel Manager in the Panel Meeting, and Preparation of the Panel Manager Report (19:17)
After official appointment, Panel Managers are expected to do certain tasks during and after the panel meeting. - Financial Arrangements for Travel (8:05)
An overview of important information regarding travel that Panel Managers must know. - Overview of Virtual Panels (18:12)
Information and advice about virtual panels specific to NIFA's review process.
Required Paper-Based Training
Please read through the following handouts.
- Panel Review Mythbusting
- Timekeeping Guide for Panel Managers
- Section 508 What is It and Why is It Important to You
- The No Fear Act (paper-based training)
- Workplace Violence Prevention Plan (paper-based training)
- 2023 USDA Records Management Training
Ethics Training
- USDA-NASA Ethics Training Game
As a new groundbreaking innovation in the Federal government, USDA's Annual Ethics training is now in an engaging game format that features space travel, agriculture, and you! USDA and NASA have teamed up to create this interactive simulation where your knowledge of the Ethics rules will help you succeed in the game as you help lead a diverse team working against the clock to save USDA's automated greenhouse on the Moon.
Required Only for Specific Programs
The following YouTube videos are only required if the topic applies to the program you are working with. (Total time: approximately 10 minutes for programs with COE review; approximately 30 minutes for AFRI programs)
- Review of Centers of Excellence Proposals (8:16)
Applicable only to programs that allow requests for Center of Excellence review. - Review of AFRI FASE Proposals (19:04)
Applicable to all Agriculture and Food Research Initiative program area priorities.
Feedback
If you have any feedback on the videos or training materials, please contact the Admin Operations Team.
Attachments to View or Download
A note regarding PDF forms. Although you may view PDFs in your browser, in order to interact with a PDF form you must download the file, then fill out the form using Adobe Acrobat.