Which of the following statements most accurately describes the review process for grant proposals?

The statement that funding agencies usually have committees, often with external reviewers, that assess the quality of the proposal is accurate because this describes a common practice in the grant review process. Funding agencies typically establish a review committee composed of experts who have relevant knowledge in the specific field related to the proposal. These committees often include both internal members from the funding agency and external reviewers who can provide unbiased assessments of the proposal's scientific merit, innovation, approach, and potential impact. This diverse feedback is essential for ensuring that the funding decisions are made based on rigorous evaluation criteria and that the best proposals are selected for funding.

In contrast, the other statements do not accurately capture the process. For example, informing applicants in advance about who will review their proposals could lead to conflicts of interest and compromise the integrity of the review process. Additionally, the peer review process can vary significantly among federal agencies due to differing missions, funding priorities, and review criteria, making it untrue to say the process is the same across all agencies. Lastly, even if one agency approves a grant proposal, other agencies typically conduct their own reviews based on their specific criteria and priorities, as external review ensures comprehensive evaluation rather than relying on a single agency's assessment.