Peer Reviewer Academy
SBM's Peer Reviewer Academy trains early-career scientists on the art of peer reviewing. It features hands-on, real reviewing, and culminates with a coveted spot on one of our journal’s editorial boards. Build your skills, your CV, and your network!
The academy is capped at 20 participants per year. Applying is easy, with only a short form required. Applications for the 2025 academy will be open January 2-31, 2025.
Important dates and details:
- Introductory webinar training on peer reviewing skills, including recognizing implicit bias and time for Q&A. This webinar will be held March 4, 2025, from 2-3 p.m. ET (real-time attendance is preferred, but a recording will be made available for those unable to join live).
- Completion of a mock review of a real, yet-to-be published article. Your review is due no later than March 21, 2025.
- In-person peer review training session, including feedback on mock reviews, examples of tricky reviewing situations, and free breakfast. This session will take place March 27, 2025, from 8-8:50 a.m. during SBM’s 2025 Annual Meeting & Scientific Sessions (participants must register for the meeting to attend; discounted registration is available for trainees and underrepresented scientists).
- Completion of two reviews for either Annals of Behavioral Medicine (ABM) or Translational Behavioral Medicine (TBM) by the end of 2025. You will help shape real manuscripts, will gain experience navigating online journal management review platforms, and will get brief email feedback on your review from each manuscript’s associate editor.
- Virtual group check-in directly with ABM and TBM editors-in-chief, held in August 2025 to review questions, progress, and experiences so far.
- Certificate of completion, including a digital badge, physical certificate, and recognition on the SBM website – all issued January 2026.
- Placement on the ABM or TBM editorial board beginning in January 2026. Editorial board members are listed on the journal website, can list their role on their CV, can weigh in on journal policies, and guide the field by reviewing approximately six manuscripts each year.
Who should apply?
Participants are required to be current SBM members (need to join or renew?), have at least one published paper as first author, and have a terminal degree. The meaning of “early-career” varies across the range of behavioral medicine careers. However, this academy is most appropriate for those who are completing their post-doctoral research or who have completed their terminal degree within the last 5 years.
Scientists from underrepresented or historically marginalized backgrounds, and/or who have equity as a research focus area are especially encouraged to apply. Scientists working outside of academia, such as in industry settings, are also encouraged to apply.
Why should I apply?
- Build your peer reviewing skills. Peer reviewing is an essential part of every research career and is vital to the integrity of science. It’s also a way to shape the field and grow your own knowledge of the latest research in your area. Plus, the skills are translatable – a use what you learn in your own papers, grants, and more.
- Grow your professional network. The academy will connect you directly with 20 peers (a small cohort that gets to know each other!) and with senior leaders, including journal editors and SBM leaders.
- Promote your new expertise. You’ll get a certificate and digital badge, plus can list the academy on your CV and in materials for promotion or tenure. The academy is unique and may also help you stand out if you list it as part of your training plan in an F or K award application.
- Advance your career. After you complete the academy, you’ll be given priority consideration and an expedited pathway for a spot on the ABM or TBM editorial board. You’ll also be a front-runner for future associate editor roles.
- The 2024 Academy participants reported overall program satisfaction, increase in reviewing skills, and expanded professional networks. As one participant wrote in our anonymous evaluation, "It has been a great experience to get feedback from editors. For the first time, I heard from experienced editors about what points I missed or caught, how well I aligned with reviews from more experienced and expert reviewers, and how to improve my reviews. It is a unique opportunity and a kind of training researchers usually do not get offered during their [academic] training."
How much does the academy cost?
Nothing! The academy is FREE. Plus, since it includes an in-person session at the SBM Annual Meeting & Scientific Sessions, it may help you secure institutional funding for meeting registration and travel expenses.
How do I apply?
Complete the Google Form application between January 2-31, 2025. The application form asks for basic information, CV link, and short responses to two prompts: 1) How will participation in the academy advance your career? 2) Describe your prior peer reviewing experience.
Congratulations to the 2024 Academy Participants!
The following individuals have successfully completed the SBM Peer Reviewer Academy!
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Trishnee Bhurosy, MSc, PhD, CHES |
Niying Li, PhD, MSc, BPharm |
Special thanks to Publications Council Chair Dr. Jun Ma who led creation of the academy. Special thanks also to ABM Outgoing Editor-in-Chief Dr. Tracey Revenson, ABM Incoming Editor-in-Chief Dr. Angela Bryan, and TBM Editor-in-Chief Dr. Cheryl Knott.