Job Description

Manhattan Strategy Group (MSG), a leading management consulting firm, is seeking highly qualified independent consultants to serve as Grant Application Reviewers in support of competitive discretionary grant programs for the U.S. Department of Education Reviewers will be compensated to independently evaluate grant applications in accordance with published program criteria to ensure a fair, objective, and merit-based review process. This role is ideal for professionals with expertise in policy, fiscal management, program evaluation, or federal grants management. Location: Remote Key Responsibilities:

Review and evaluate assigned grant applications using established federal scoring criteria.
Provide written, evidence-based comments that justify numerical scores.
Participate in virtual or in-person panel discussions to reach consensus scores.
Maintain strict confidentiality and avoid conflicts of interest.
Complete required reviewer training prior to panel participation.
Meet established review deadlines and adhere to Department protocols.
Utilize designated review platforms (e.g., secure federal grant systems).

Required Qualifications:

U.S. Citizenship and ability to obtain a Public Trust clearance.
Bachelor’s degree required.
Demonstrated expertise in relevant education or grant program content areas.
Experience with federal or state grant programs preferred.
Strong analytical writing skills.
Ability to evaluate proposals objectively against structured criteria.
Proficiency in virtual meeting platforms and online review systems.
Ability to dedicate focused time during scheduled review windows.
Must have dedicated access to a computer with a minimum of MS 2020 and a dedicated high-speed internet connection.

Preferred Qualifications:

Prior experience serving as a federal peer reviewer.
Experience managing or implementing federally funded programs.
Knowledge of federal grant regulations.
Experience with program evaluation, performance measurement, or research design.
Experience reviewing budgets and fiscal narratives.

Core Competencies

Objectivity & Integrity
Analytical Thinking
Written Communication
Attention to Detail
Time Management
Collaboration in Structured Deliberations

Time CommitmentReview assignments typically require:

Completion of virtual training (2–4 hours)
Independent application review (varies by program; 10–25 hours total)
Participation in panel discussions (1–3 days)

Panels are scheduled in advance and conducted virtually or at designated federal locations.CompensationReviewers are compensated via honorarium, typically structured as:

Per application review rate or
Daily panel participation rate

Payment is issued following successful completion of review responsibilities and required documentation.Conflict of Interest & ConfidentialitySelected reviewers must:

Disclose any real or perceived conflicts of interest.
Sign the independent consulting agreement, confidentiality and non-disclosure agreements.
Comply with all federal ethics and integrity requirements.

Why Serve as a Federal Grant Reviewer?

Influence national education initiatives
Gain insight into successful grant strategies
Contribute to equitable distribution of federal funds
Expand professional network with national experts
Strengthen understanding of federal grant processes

***How to Apply***Interested candidates should submit:

Resume
Cover Letter to include:

Brief statement of subject matter expertise
Areas of program interest
Prior reviewer experience (if applicable)

Qualified applicants will be added to a reviewer pool and contacted as opportunities align with their expertise.Manhattan Strategy Group (MSG) is an Equal Opportunity Employer and considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Our hiring decisions are based solely on merit and qualifications, ensuring a fair and competitive selection process.

About Manhattan Strategy Group

Manhattan Strategy is a boutique research and management consulting firm dedicated to helping our government and commercial clients achieve performance excellence. Manhattan Strategy applies proven frameworks, custom research, best-in-class insights, and domain expertise to measurably enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of our clients’ organization.

Manhattan Strategy solutions encompass three core elements: in-depth assessment of the client organization, best-practices from comparable organizations, and subject matter expert analysis. Our clients believe that this holistic approach to problem-solving generates solutions that are easier to implement and deliver quicker results.

Manhattan Strategy delivers custom, best-in-class solutions tailored to the needs of our clients. Our proprietary research approach allows us access to unparalleled data that is not available in the public domain. While we have subject matter expertise in various domains and verticals, our business model allows for low overheads, delivering results at very competitive costs relative to our peers.

The Manhattan Strategy team delivers successful business, operational and financial advisory services to Government Agencies, Fortune 500 Corporations, non-profits, and start-ups. Our team has completed over 400 unique projects since 2001.

Industry

Consulting & Advisory

Company Size

201-500 employees

Headquarters

Bethesda, Maryland

Year Founded

2001

Website

manhattanstrategy.com

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