Alabama Call for Peer Reviewers

The Alabama State Department of Education (ALSDE) is currently seeking qualified peer reviewers for the 2025-2026 Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) Cohort 26 Request for Application (RFA). The peer review application process is designed to ensure each competitive grant is objectively reviewed and awarded based on the quality of the application as measured by a detailed rubric.

To be considered for selection, interested professionals should hold a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in education or a closely related field, with preference for those with a master’s degree and experience scoring 21st CCLC applications and submit a resume, completed peer reviewer application form, and completed conflict of interest form.

Grant Reviewer Expectations:

• All grant reviewers must have access to a computer and private internet to review applications.
• It is anticipated that selected grant reviewers will be expected to read and score their assigned grant applications during the month of March.
• Grant reviewers must be available to review applications during the designated three-week review window.
• Grant reviewers’ schedules should allow for time to review 6-10 applications with the average application review time estimation of 2-3 hours.
• Grant reviewers should be able to work independently to read, evaluate, score, and provide comments on each section of the application.
• All grant reviewers must participate in a virtual training session on February 24, 2025, from 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. CST. Compensation will be provided in the amount of $75.00 for attending the virtual training.
• All grant reviewers will be expected to familiarize themselves with the ALSDE Cohort 26 RFA grant guidelines, application, and rubrics in advance of the virtual training session.
• Grant reviewers will receive an email to create a peer reviewer account in Alabama’s Electronic Grant Application Process (eGAP 2.0) online portal to complete all reviews.
• Grant reviewers are expected to evaluate applications without bias and to objectively provide feedback to applicants based on the identified rubrics score for each section. Completed reviews must be submitted by the date provided on virtual training.
• Grant reviewers must be available to participate in consensus phone calls with other members of their reviewer group, if necessary, in late March. 
• Grant reviewers must submit all required paperwork to Truman Pierce Institute to receive payment of $150.00 per application review submitted and the $75.00 training stipend.
• Grant reviewers are expected to disclose any conflicts of interest that may arise before or during the review process and to maintain confidentiality throughout the review process.

If you are interested in applying to become an ALSDE Nita M. Lowey 21st CCLC grant reviewer, please submit the completed Cohort 26 peer reviewer application form, conflict of interest form, and resume to 21stcclcgrant@alsde.edu by 11:59 p.m. on January 31, 2025.