BECOMING AN AIDD REVIEWER
Thank you for your interest in becoming a grant and/or MTARS reviewer for the Administration on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AIDD). Please review the following information, as it contains details about:
- AIDD Reviews;
- The people that should apply to be reviewers;
- The knowledge and skills that it takes to be a reviewer;
- The responsibilities of reviewers;
- The amount of time that AIDD expects of its reviewers;
- The compensation that AIDD reviewers may receive;
- The reviewer application process; and
- The online application form.
WHY SHOULD I BECOME AN AIDD REVIEWER?
The Administration on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AIDD) is part of the Administration for Community Living, under the Department of Health and Human Services, a federal government agency. AIDD provides grants to programs that support the development of national and state policies that promote self-determination, independence, productivity, integration, and inclusion in all facets of community life of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. AIDD plans and carries out the grant application process for programs under its authorization.
In Fiscal Year 1997, AIDD implemented the Monitoring and Technical Assistance Review System (MTARS) to evaluate three of its grant programs, the State intellectual and developmental disabilities Councils (DD Councils), State Protection and Advocacy Systems (P&As) and the University Centers for Excellence in intellectual and developmental disabilities Education, Research and Services (UCEDDs).
AIDD needs both new and experienced grant reviewers to take part in the grant application and MTARS processes. Reviewers are selected for specific grant reviews and MTARS based on their knowledge, experience, or education. Through the review process, grant reviewers can AIDD to their professional development experiences by
- Networking with peers and Federal officials;
- Gaining knowledge of AIDD programs;
- Obtaining grant review experience.
WHO SHOULD APPLY TO BECOME AN AIDD REVIEWER?
- Individuals with disabilities and/or family members of individuals with disabilities
- Professionals in the intellectual and developmental disabilities field
WHAT KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS DO I NEED TO BE AN AIDD REVIEWER?
- Relevant knowledge in the program area of interest;
- Ability to read and assess grant applications;
- Ability to evaluate applications based on specific criteria;
- Strong written communication skills;
- Ability to work well in a group;
- Ability to maintain privacy.
WHAT MUST AIDD REVIEWERS AGREE TO DO?
- Read the funding opportunity announcement, evaluation criteria, and any related materials;
- Understand the funding opportunity announcement's background, purpose, and evaluation criteria;
- Maintain the integrity of the grant review; and
- Fulfill the time commitment and workload of the grant review (e.g., extensive reading and writing, lengthy discussions, travel).
WHEN AND WHERE DO REVIEWS TAKE PLACE?
Grant reviews are typically 1-3 days and take place June – September in Washington, D.C. If necessary, travel and hotel will be arranged for out-of-town reviewers.
MTARS site visits typically last up to 4 days and take place in the states that are being reviewed. Travel and hotel will be arranged for out-of-town reviewers.
ARE AIDD REVIEWERS PAID FOR THEIR WORK?
All grant reviewers (local or out-of-town) for on-site reviews receive $150 per day of review participation. Personal support assistants receive $100 per day. Generally, payment is made on the last day of the review.
MTARS reviewers and any personal assistants are compensated for time associated with the on-site visit. Each reviewer will receive up to 4 days honorarium ($220 per day) for their participation in the MTARS. Personal support assistants will receive up to 4 days honorarium ($100 per day) for their services to the reviewer during the MTARS.
HOW DO I BECOME AN AIDD REVIEWER?
- Complete the online contact information form;
- Upload your resume;
- Click the “submit information” button;
- Once you have submitted the contact form you will receive a reply email that contains the information you supplied;
- Review this information for accuracy;
- Should you find an error, please respond to the email with corrections;
- SIDEM, LLC. (SIDEM) works with AIDD in recruiting and coordinating qualified reviewers. AIDD and SIDEM will review all applications and will contact you if and when your skills match AIDD’s needs.
HOW DO I APPLY ONLINE?
SIDEM assists AIDD in recruiting individuals for grant and MTARS reviews. If you are interested in becoming an AIDD reviewer, please submit your contact information and resume through the online contact information form. If you need help completing this form or if you have any questions about your application or upcoming activities, please contact SIDEM (240-650-8298 or alston@sidemgroup.com).