Review Criteria and Process
Proposals are evaluated by NBME staff, with submitting investigators being notified of decisions in February and June.
Proposals are judged on the following:
- The clarity of the research question
- The importance or value of the research
- The capability of data to answer the research question
- The quality of data analyses
- The qualifications of researchers
- The researcher capability to maintain security of the data
It is expected that multiple proposals will be submitted during any cycle. Approved proposals will be required to comply with NBME data security requirements. Data sharing projects will not be approved if there is risk that the investigator or others could determine the identity of individuals, programs, or institutions.
Complex proposals or those involving multiple organizations may require additional correspondence between the investigator and NBME to verify study details, to discuss certain conditions (e.g., possible fees, de-identification process), or to confirm that any third parties can supply the necessary data. Although NBME will facilitate such discussions, it is the investigator’s responsibility to anticipate such needs to allow time for such discussions.