Why Serving as a Federal Grant Reviewer Is One of the Best Career Moves You Can Make

Ever wondered how to find federal grant review opportunities? As discussed in Ten Tips I Learned From Being a Federal Grant Reviewer and explored in depth in our post on the Benefits of Serving as a Grant Reviewer, serving as a reviewer is one of the most valuable forms of professional development available to grant professionals. It opens your eyes to the review process from the inside, builds empathy for the people scoring your proposals, and makes you a stronger, more competitive writer. Although landing a review opportunity does involve some timing and persistence, it is far less of a mystery than most people think.

Here are 9 tips for how to land that valuable federal grant review opportunity.

9 Tips for Finding and Landing Federal Grant Review Opportunities

1. Periodically do an internet search for “call for reviewers.” You will be surprised at what opportunities appear — this simple habit alone can surface opportunities you would never have found otherwise.
2. Register as a federal grant reviewer at https://g6.ed.gov/. Be prepared with your resume and other documents you typically use when applying for a job. This process takes time and patience — it is a somewhat laborious registration — but it is absolutely worth it.
3. Complete an AmeriCorps (formerly the Corporation for National and Community Service) Peer Reviewer application through the eGrants system. You may be selected to review AmeriCorps grants or other related opportunities. (Note: Verify the current application link directly on the AmeriCorps website as the process has been updated in recent years.)
4. Review the list of U.S. government agencies at https://www.usa.gov/federal-agencies to identify agencies whose work aligns with your experience and expertise. Sign up for email alerts from those agencies — they frequently send out calls for reviewer emails to their subscriber lists.
5. Consider grant review opportunities through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) if you have relevant knowledge or experience in behavioral health: https://www.samhsa.gov/grants/review/grant-review-opportunities.
6. When applying to become a reviewer, draw on the full breadth of your background and experience. Think beyond your professional resume — relevant experience includes being a parent or caregiver, volunteer work, college education, experience working with at-risk youth, grants you have written or managed, completed research, published articles, and more. The wider your lens, the stronger your application.
7. Clearly explain why you will be a strong reviewer for the specific agency you are pursuing. Tailor your application to their mission and priorities — a generic application is far less compelling than one that demonstrates genuine alignment.
8. Reach out directly to program officers listed on federal grant agency websites by letter, email, or phone. Let them know you are interested in reviewing and articulate what relevant experience you bring to the process. Remember: they need qualified reviewers, and making a personal connection can go a long way.
9. Consistently update and tailor any resume you have submitted alongside your online reviewer application to reflect current and specific grantmaking agency priorities. Federal agencies often list the exact qualifications they are seeking in their call for reviewers — use that language as your guide.

Ready to Experience the Review Process Before You Apply?

One of the best ways to prepare for serving as a federal grant reviewer — and to become a stronger applicant yourself — is to simulate the experience from the reviewer’s perspective. Download our free Mock Review Toolkit to walk through a mock scoring exercise, use our firm’s application rubric, and sharpen your eye for what makes a proposal stand out or fall flat.

And while you’re building your reviewer credentials, make sure your own federal grant applications avoid the most common pitfalls. Download the Top 10 Mistakes Nonprofits Make When Applying for Federal Grants — a free PDF that covers what to watch out for on both sides of the table.

For a broader look at reviewer opportunities beyond the federal level, including local, state, and community foundation options, see our newer post: Five Tips to Help You Find Opportunities to Become a Grant Reviewer.

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This blog was updated on 3/17/2026