SAMHSA Swaps Gender for Sex on Reviewer Forms
Published Date: 7/16/2026
Notice
Summary
SAMHSA wants to keep finding smart, experienced people to review grant applications that help with mental health and substance use programs. They’re updating their application form to make it clearer and simpler, like changing 'Gender' to 'Sex' and tweaking some answer choices. This helps them pick the best reviewers faster, with no extra cost or delays for applicants.
Analyzed Economic Effects
9 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 5 costs, 2 mixed.
Reviewer Application Reinstated
If you want to serve as a SAMHSA peer reviewer, SAMHSA will continue using a standard Reviewer Contact Information Form to collect your knowledge, education, expertise, and contact information. SAMHSA will use the form to identify and invite qualified individuals to serve on merit review committees.
Label Change: 'Gender' to 'Sex'
If you fill out the reviewer application form, the demographic question label will change from 'Gender' to 'Sex' on the form. This is a wording change to how you report that demographic item.
Sex Options Removed: Transgender, 'Prefer Not'
If you complete the form, the Sex question will no longer include 'Transgender' or 'Prefer not to Answer' as selectable options. Those two options are being removed from the Sex category.
Ethnicity Merged into Race/Ethnicity
The form removes a separate Ethnicity category and combines Ethnicity with Race/Ethnicity for how you report your background on the reviewer application. You will no longer see a distinct Ethnicity field separate from Race/Ethnicity.
Added 'Middle Eastern or North African' Option
The Race/Ethnicity section of the form will add a 'Middle Eastern or North African' option so you can select that category when reporting your background.
Removed 'Mixed Race' Option
The form removes 'Mixed Race' from the Race/Ethnicity category, so you will no longer be able to select 'Mixed Race' on the reviewer application.
Secondary Expertise Options Narrowed
The form removes 'LGBTQ' and 'Minorities (African American, Hispanic or Latino, etc.)' from the Secondary Expertise choices, so you cannot select those as Secondary Expertise on the application.
SAMHSA Values Statement Removed
The SAMHSA 'Values That Promote Positive Behavioral Health' statement on page 4 of the form will be removed. Applicants will no longer see that statement as part of the application form.
Time Burden: 1.5 Hours Per Response
If you complete the Reviewer Contact Information Form, SAMHSA estimates it takes 1.5 hours per response. SAMHSA estimates 300 respondents will complete the form annually, for a total of 450 burden hours per year.
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