DOJ Peer Reviewers

Key Responsibilities

• Review and evaluate assigned discretionary grant applications using established DOJ/OJP scoring criteria and program requirements.
• Absess applications for responsiveness, technical merit, feasibility, organizational capacity, budget appropriateness, and alignment with program priorities.
• Provide clear, detailed, and evidence-based written comments to justify assigned scores.
• Participate in virtual or in-person panel discussions to reach consensus scores.
• Maintain strict confidentiality of application materials and reviewer deliberations.
• Identify and disclose any real or perceived conflicts of interest (COI) prior to participation.
• Complete required reviewer training prior to panel participation.
• Meet established review deadlines and adhere to Department protocols.
• Utilize designated review platforms (e.g., JustGrants).

Required Qualifications

• U.S. Citizenship and ability to obtain a Public Trust clearance.
• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Demonstrated expertise in relevant DOJ/OJP grant program content areas.
• Experience with federal or state grant programs preferred.
• Strong analytical writing skills.
• Ability to evaluate proposals objectively against structured criteria.
• Proficiency in virtual meeting platforms and online review systems.
• Ability to dedicate focused time during scheduled review windows.
• Must have dedicated access to a computer with a minimum of MS 2020 and a dedicated high-speed internet connection.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience serving as a federal peer reviewer, grant reviewer, application evaluator, or panelist.
• Experience with DOJ, OJP, or other federal grant-making agencies (e.g., HHS, ED, DOL).
• Familiarity with discretionary grant review processes and federal funding announcements.
• Advanced degree in criminal justice, public policy, social work, psychology, public administration, law, evaluation, or a related field.
• Experience reviewing federal budgets, program narratives, logic models, or evaluation plans.

Core Competencies

• Objectivity & Integrity
• Analytical Thinking
• Written Communication
• Attention to Detail
• Time Management
• Collaboration in Structured Deliberations

Time Commitment

• Review Assignments Typically Require Completion of virtual training (2–4 hours)
• Independent application review (varies by program; 10–25 hours total)
• Participation in panel discussions (1–3 days)

Compensation

• Reviewers are compensated via honorarium, typically structured as:
• Per application review rate or Daily panel participation rate
• Payment is issued following successful completion of review responsibilities and required documentation.

Conflict of Interest & Confidentiality

• Selected Reviewers Must Disclose any real or perceived conflicts of interest.
• Sign the independent consulting agreement, confidentiality and non-disclosure agreements.
• Comply with all federal ethics and integrity requirements.

Why Serve as a Federal Grant Reviewer?

• Influence national education initiatives
• Gain insight into successful grant strategies
• Contribute to equitable distribution of federal funds
• Expand professional network with national experts
• Strengthen understanding of federal grant processes

How to Apply

Interested Candidates Should Submit Resume Cover Letter to include:

• Brief statement of subject matter expertise
• Areas of program interest
• Prior reviewer experience (if applicable)

Qualified applicants will be added to a reviewer pool and contacted as opportunities align with their expertise.