diff --git a/package-lock.json b/package-lock.json
index 9dcf093..a4a374d 100644
--- a/package-lock.json
+++ b/package-lock.json
@@ -3849,6 +3849,14 @@
         "@testing-library/dom": "^8.0.0"
       }
     },
+    "@testing-library/user-event": {
+      "version": "13.5.0",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/@testing-library/user-event/-/user-event-13.5.0.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-5Kwtbo3Y/NowpkbRuSepbyMFkZmHgD+vPzYB/RJ4oxt5Gj/avFFBYjhw27cqSVPVw/3a67NK1PbiIr9k4Gwmdg==",
+      "requires": {
+        "@babel/runtime": "^7.12.5"
+      }
+    },
     "@tootallnate/once": {
       "version": "1.1.2",
       "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/@tootallnate/once/-/once-1.1.2.tgz",
diff --git a/package.json b/package.json
index b5df41e..d0b9224 100755
--- a/package.json
+++ b/package.json
@@ -36,6 +36,7 @@
     "@fortawesome/react-fontawesome": "^0.1.15",
     "@redux-beacon/segment": "^1.1.0",
     "@reduxjs/toolkit": "^1.6.1",
+    "@testing-library/user-event": "^13.5.0",
     "classnames": "^2.3.1",
     "core-js": "3.16.2",
     "dompurify": "^2.3.1",
diff --git a/src/data/actions/index.js b/src/data/actions/index.js
index eaaa4c6..832a1e1 100644
--- a/src/data/actions/index.js
+++ b/src/data/actions/index.js
@@ -2,10 +2,12 @@ import { StrictDict } from 'utils';
 
 import app from './app';
 import grading from './grading';
+import requests from './requests';
 import submissions from './submissions';
 
 export default StrictDict({
   app,
   grading,
+  requests,
   submissions,
 });
diff --git a/src/data/actions/requests.js b/src/data/actions/requests.js
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..108be74
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/data/actions/requests.js
@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+import { StrictDict } from 'utils';
+import { createActionFactory } from './utils';
+
+export const dataKey = 'requests';
+const createAction = createActionFactory(dataKey);
+
+export const startRequest = createAction('startRequest');
+export const completeRequest = createAction('completeRequest');
+export const failRequest = createAction('failRequest');
+
+export default StrictDict({
+  startRequest,
+  completeRequest,
+  failRequest,
+});
diff --git a/src/data/actions/requests.test.js b/src/data/actions/requests.test.js
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..dfa1804
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/data/actions/requests.test.js
@@ -0,0 +1,18 @@
+import actions, { dataKey } from './requests';
+import { testAction, testActionTypes } from './testUtils';
+
+describe('actions', () => {
+  describe('action types', () => {
+    const actionTypes = [
+      actions.startRequest,
+      actions.completeRequest,
+      actions.failRequest,
+    ].map(action => action.toString());
+    testActionTypes(actionTypes, dataKey);
+  });
+  describe('actions provided', () => {
+    test('startRequest action', () => testAction(actions.startRequest));
+    test('completeRequest action', () => testAction(actions.completeRequest));
+    test('failRequest action', () => testAction(actions.failRequest));
+  });
+});
diff --git a/src/data/constants/requests.js b/src/data/constants/requests.js
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..932e212
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/data/constants/requests.js
@@ -0,0 +1,18 @@
+import { StrictDict } from 'utils';
+
+export const RequestStates = StrictDict({
+  inactive: 'inactive',
+  pending: 'pending',
+  completed: 'completed',
+  failed: 'failed',
+});
+
+export const RequestKeys = StrictDict({
+  initialize: 'initialize',
+  fetchSubmission: 'fetchSubmission',
+  fetchSubmissionStatus: 'fetchSubmissionStatus',
+  setLock: 'setLock',
+  prefetchNext: 'prefetchNext',
+  prefetchPrev: 'prefetchPrev',
+  submitGrade: 'submitGrade',
+});
diff --git a/src/data/reducers/index.js b/src/data/reducers/index.js
index 7c8ef05..8051e48 100755
--- a/src/data/reducers/index.js
+++ b/src/data/reducers/index.js
@@ -2,12 +2,14 @@ import { combineReducers } from 'redux';
 
 import app from './app';
 import grading from './grading';
+import requests from './requests';
 import submissions from './submissions';
 
 /* istanbul ignore next */
 const rootReducer = combineReducers({
   app,
   grading,
+  requests,
   submissions,
 });
 
diff --git a/src/data/reducers/requests.js b/src/data/reducers/requests.js
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ed9b056
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/data/reducers/requests.js
@@ -0,0 +1,41 @@
+import { createReducer } from '@reduxjs/toolkit';
+
+import { RequestStates, RequestKeys } from 'data/constants/requests';
+import actions from 'data/actions';
+
+const initialState = {
+  [RequestKeys.initialize]: { status: RequestStates.inactive },
+  [RequestKeys.fetchSubmission]: { status: RequestStates.inactive },
+  [RequestKeys.fetchSubmissionStatus]: { status: RequestStates.inactive },
+  [RequestKeys.setLock]: { status: RequestStates.inactive },
+  [RequestKeys.prefetchNext]: { status: RequestStates.inactive },
+  [RequestKeys.prefetchPrev]: { status: RequestStates.inactive },
+  [RequestKeys.submitGrade]: { status: RequestStates.inactive },
+};
+
+// eslint-disable-next-line no-unused-vars
+const app = createReducer(initialState, {
+  [actions.requests.startRequest]: (state, { payload }) => ({
+    ...state,
+    [payload]: {
+      status: RequestStates.pending,
+    },
+  }),
+  [actions.requests.completeRequest]: (state, { payload }) => ({
+    ...state,
+    [payload.requestKey]: {
+      status: RequestStates.completed,
+      response: payload.response,
+    },
+  }),
+  [actions.requests.failRequest]: (state, { payload }) => ({
+    ...state,
+    [payload.requestKey]: {
+      status: RequestStates.failed,
+      error: payload.error,
+    },
+  }),
+});
+
+export { initialState };
+export default app;
diff --git a/src/data/reducers/requests.test.js b/src/data/reducers/requests.test.js
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2763b8c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/data/reducers/requests.test.js
@@ -0,0 +1,52 @@
+import actions from 'data/actions';
+import { RequestStates } from 'data/constants/requests';
+import requests, { initialState } from './requests';
+
+const testingState = {
+  ...initialState,
+  arbitraryField: 'arbitrary',
+};
+
+describe('requests reducer', () => {
+  it('has initial state', () => {
+    expect(requests(undefined, {})).toEqual(initialState);
+  });
+
+  const testValue = 'roll for initiative';
+  const testKey = 'test-key';
+  describe('handling actions', () => {
+    describe('requests.startRequest', () => {
+      it('adds a pending status for the given key', () => {
+        expect(requests(
+          testingState,
+          actions.requests.startRequest(testKey),
+        )).toEqual({
+          ...testingState,
+          [testKey]: { status: RequestStates.pending },
+        });
+      });
+    });
+    describe('requests.completeRequest', () => {
+      it('adds a completed status with passed response', () => {
+        expect(requests(
+          testingState,
+          actions.requests.completeRequest({ requestKey: testKey, response: testValue }),
+        )).toEqual({
+          ...testingState,
+          [testKey]: { status: RequestStates.completed, response: testValue },
+        });
+      });
+    });
+    describe('requests.failRequest', () => {
+      it('adds a failed status with passed error', () => {
+        expect(requests(
+          testingState,
+          actions.requests.failRequest({ requestKey: testKey, error: testValue }),
+        )).toEqual({
+          ...testingState,
+          [testKey]: { status: RequestStates.failed, error: testValue },
+        });
+      });
+    });
+  });
+});
diff --git a/src/data/thunkActions/app.js b/src/data/thunkActions/app.js
index 3335e67..4fb413c 100644
--- a/src/data/thunkActions/app.js
+++ b/src/data/thunkActions/app.js
@@ -1,19 +1,22 @@
 import { StrictDict } from 'utils';
 
 import actions from 'data/actions';
-import api from 'data/services/lms/api';
 import { locationId } from 'data/constants/app';
+import { initializeApp } from './requests';
 
 /**
  * initialize the app, loading ora and course metadata from the api, and loading the initial
  * submission list data.
  */
-export const initialize = () => (dispatch) => (
-  api.initializeApp(locationId).then((response) => {
-    dispatch(actions.app.loadOraMetadata(response.oraMetadata));
-    dispatch(actions.app.loadCourseMetadata(response.courseMetadata));
-    dispatch(actions.submissions.loadList(response.submissions));
-  })
-);
+export const initialize = () => (dispatch) => {
+  dispatch(initializeApp({
+    locationId,
+    onSuccess: (response) => {
+      dispatch(actions.app.loadOraMetadata(response.oraMetadata));
+      dispatch(actions.app.loadCourseMetadata(response.courseMetadata));
+      dispatch(actions.submissions.loadList(response.submissions));
+    },
+  }));
+};
 
 export default StrictDict({ initialize });
diff --git a/src/data/thunkActions/app.test.js b/src/data/thunkActions/app.test.js
index cd3124a..3ffeb9b 100644
--- a/src/data/thunkActions/app.test.js
+++ b/src/data/thunkActions/app.test.js
@@ -1,51 +1,43 @@
-import api from 'data/services/lms/api';
 import { locationId } from 'data/constants/app';
 
 import actions from 'data/actions';
 import thunkActions from './app';
 
-jest.mock('data/services/lms/api', () => {
-  const response = {
-    oraMetadata: { some: 'ora-metadata' },
-    courseMetadata: { some: 'course-metadata' },
-    submissions: { some: 'submissions' },
-  };
-  return {
-    response,
-    initializeApp: jest.fn(() => new Promise((resolve) => resolve(response))),
-  };
-});
+jest.mock('./requests', () => ({
+  initializeApp: (args) => ({ initializeApp: args }),
+}));
 jest.mock('data/constants/app', () => ({
   locationId: 'fake-location-id',
 }));
-jest.mock('data/actions', () => ({
-  app: {
-    loadOraMetadata: (data) => ({ loadOraMetadata: data }),
-    loadCourseMetadata: (data) => ({ loadCourseMetadata: data }),
-  },
-  submissions: {
-    loadList: (data) => ({ loadList: data }),
-  },
-}));
 
 describe('app thunkActions', () => {
   let dispatch;
+  let dispatchedAction;
   beforeEach(() => {
     dispatch = jest.fn((action) => ({ dispatch: action }));
   });
   describe('initialize', () => {
     beforeEach(() => {
       thunkActions.initialize()(dispatch);
+      [[dispatchedAction]] = dispatch.mock.calls;
     });
-    test('it is called with location id from constants/app', () => {
-      expect(api.initializeApp).toHaveBeenCalledWith(locationId);
+    it('dispatches initializeApp with locationId and onSuccess', () => {
+      expect(dispatchedAction.initializeApp.locationId).toEqual(locationId);
+      expect(typeof dispatchedAction.initializeApp.onSuccess).toEqual('function');
     });
     describe('on success', () => {
       test('loads oraMetadata, courseMetadata and list data', () => {
+        dispatch.mockClear();
+        const response = {
+          oraMetadata: { some: 'ora-metadata' },
+          courseMetadata: { some: 'course-metadata' },
+          submissions: { some: 'submissions' },
+        };
+        dispatchedAction.initializeApp.onSuccess(response);
         expect(dispatch.mock.calls).toEqual([
-          [actions.app.loadOraMetadata(api.response.oraMetadata)],
-          [actions.app.loadCourseMetadata(api.response.courseMetadata)],
-          [actions.submissions.loadList(api.response.submissions)],
+          [actions.app.loadOraMetadata(response.oraMetadata)],
+          [actions.app.loadCourseMetadata(response.courseMetadata)],
+          [actions.submissions.loadList(response.submissions)],
         ]);
       });
     });
diff --git a/src/data/thunkActions/grading.js b/src/data/thunkActions/grading.js
index a0ecbb7..3fdd326 100644
--- a/src/data/thunkActions/grading.js
+++ b/src/data/thunkActions/grading.js
@@ -1,32 +1,67 @@
 import { StrictDict } from 'utils';
 
+import { RequestKeys } from 'data/constants/requests';
 import actions from 'data/actions';
 import selectors from 'data/selectors';
-import api from 'data/services/lms/api';
 import { gradingStatuses as statuses } from 'data/services/lms/constants';
 import * as module from './grading';
+import requests from './requests';
 
 /**
  * Prefetch the "next" submission in the selected queue.  Only fetches the response info.
  */
-export const prefetchNext = () => (dispatch, getState) => (
-  api.fetchSubmissionResponse(
-    selectors.grading.next.submissionId(getState()),
-  ).then((response) => {
-    dispatch(actions.grading.preloadNext(response));
-  })
-);
+export const prefetchNext = () => (dispatch, getState) => {
+  dispatch(requests.fetchSubmissionResponse({
+    requestKey: RequestKeys.prefetchNext,
+    submissionId: selectors.grading.next.submissionId(getState()),
+    onSuccess: (response) => {
+      dispatch(actions.grading.preloadNext(response));
+    },
+  }));
+};
 
 /**
  * Prefetch the "previous" submission in the selected queue.  Only fetches the response info.
  */
-export const prefetchPrev = () => (dispatch, getState) => (
-  api.fetchSubmissionResponse(
-    selectors.grading.prev.submissionId(getState()),
-  ).then((response) => {
-    dispatch(actions.grading.preloadPrev(response));
-  })
-);
+export const prefetchPrev = () => (dispatch, getState) => {
+  dispatch(requests.fetchSubmissionResponse({
+    requestKey: RequestKeys.prefetchPrev,
+    submissionId: selectors.grading.prev.submissionId(getState()),
+    onSuccess: (response) => {
+      dispatch(actions.grading.preloadPrev(response));
+    },
+  }));
+};
+
+/**
+ * Fetch the target neighbor submission's status, start grading if in progress,
+ * dispatches load action with the response (injecting submissionId).  If hasNeighbor,
+ * also dispatches the prefetchAction to pre-fetch the new neighbor's response.
+ * @param {string} submissionId - target submission id
+ * @param {action} loadAction - redux action/thunkAction to load the submission status
+ * @param {bool} hasNeighbor - is there a new neighbor to be pre-fetched?
+ * @param {action} prefetchAction - redux action/thunkAction to prefetch the new
+ *   neighbor's response.
+ */
+export const fetchNeighbor = ({
+  submissionId,
+  loadAction,
+  hasNeighbor,
+  prefetchAction,
+}) => (dispatch) => {
+  dispatch(requests.fetchSubmissionStatus({
+    submissionId,
+    onSuccess: (response) => {
+      if (response.lockStatus === statuses.inProgress) {
+        dispatch(module.startGrading());
+      } else {
+        dispatch(module.stopGrading());
+      }
+      dispatch(loadAction({ ...response, submissionId }));
+      if (hasNeighbor) { dispatch(prefetchAction()); }
+    },
+  }));
+};
 
 /**
  * Fetches the current status for the "next" submission in the selected queue,
@@ -34,19 +69,12 @@ export const prefetchPrev = () => (dispatch, getState) => (
  * If the new index has a next submission available, preload its response.
  */
 export const loadNext = () => (dispatch, getState) => {
-  const nextId = selectors.grading.next.submissionId(getState());
-  return api.fetchSubmissionStatus(nextId).then((response) => {
-    console.log({ loadNext: response });
-    dispatch(actions.grading.loadNext({ ...response, submissionId: nextId }));
-    if (response.lockStatus === statuses.inProgress) {
-      dispatch(module.startGrading());
-    } else {
-      dispatch(actions.app.setGrading(false));
-    }
-    if (selectors.grading.next.doesExist(getState())) {
-      dispatch(module.prefetchNext());
-    }
-  });
+  dispatch(module.fetchNeighbor({
+    loadAction: actions.grading.loadNext,
+    hasNeighbor: selectors.grading.next.doesExist(getState()),
+    prefetchAction: module.prefetchNext,
+    submissionId: selectors.grading.next.submissionId(getState()),
+  }));
 };
 
 /**
@@ -55,18 +83,12 @@ export const loadNext = () => (dispatch, getState) => {
  * If the new index has a previous submission available, preload its response.
  */
 export const loadPrev = () => (dispatch, getState) => {
-  const prevId = selectors.grading.prev.submissionId(getState());
-  return api.fetchSubmissionStatus(prevId).then((response) => {
-    dispatch(actions.grading.loadPrev({ ...response, submissionId: prevId }));
-    if (response.gradeStatus === statuses.inProgress) {
-      dispatch(module.startGrading());
-    } else {
-      dispatch(actions.app.setGrading(false));
-    }
-    if (selectors.grading.prev.doesExist(getState())) {
-      dispatch(module.prefetchPrev());
-    }
-  });
+  dispatch(module.fetchNeighbor({
+    loadAction: actions.grading.loadPrev,
+    hasNeighbor: selectors.grading.prev.doesExist(getState()),
+    prefetchAction: module.prefetchPrev,
+    submissionId: selectors.grading.prev.submissionId(getState()),
+  }));
 };
 
 /**
@@ -76,22 +98,23 @@ export const loadPrev = () => (dispatch, getState) => {
  * @param {string[]} submissionIds - ordered list of submissionIds for selected submissions
  */
 export const loadSelectionForReview = (submissionIds) => (dispatch, getState) => {
-  dispatch(actions.grading.updateSelection(submissionIds));
-  return api.fetchSubmission(
-    selectors.grading.selected.submissionId(getState()),
-  ).then((response) => {
-    dispatch(actions.grading.loadSubmission({
-      ...response,
-      submissionId: submissionIds[0],
-    }));
-    dispatch(actions.app.setShowReview(true));
-    if (selectors.grading.next.doesExist(getState())) {
-      dispatch(prefetchNext());
-    }
-    if (selectors.grading.prev.doesExist(getState())) {
-      dispatch(prefetchPrev());
-    }
-  });
+  dispatch(requests.fetchSubmission({
+    submissionId: submissionIds[0],
+    onSuccess: (response) => {
+      dispatch(actions.grading.updateSelection(submissionIds));
+      dispatch(actions.grading.loadSubmission({
+        ...response,
+        submissionId: submissionIds[0],
+      }));
+      dispatch(actions.app.setShowReview(true));
+      if (selectors.grading.next.doesExist(getState())) {
+        dispatch(module.prefetchNext());
+      }
+      if (selectors.grading.prev.doesExist(getState())) {
+        dispatch(module.prefetchPrev());
+      }
+    },
+  }));
 };
 
 /**
@@ -102,20 +125,18 @@ export const loadSelectionForReview = (submissionIds) => (dispatch, getState) =>
  * based on the rubric config.
  */
 export const startGrading = () => (dispatch, getState) => {
-  console.log('start grading');
-  return api.lockSubmission(
-    selectors.grading.selected.submissionId(getState()),
-  ).then(() => {
-    console.log('succeed at locking');
-    dispatch(actions.app.setGrading(true));
-    let gradeData = selectors.grading.selected.gradeData(getState());
-    if (gradeData === undefined) {
-      gradeData = selectors.app.emptyGrade(getState());
-    }
-    dispatch(actions.grading.startGrading(gradeData));
-  }).catch((error) => {
-    console.log({ error });
-  });
+  dispatch(requests.setLock({
+    value: true,
+    submissionId: selectors.grading.selected.submissionId(getState()),
+    onSuccess: () => {
+      dispatch(actions.app.setGrading(true));
+      let gradeData = selectors.grading.selected.gradeData(getState());
+      if (!gradeData) {
+        gradeData = selectors.app.emptyGrade(getState());
+      }
+      dispatch(actions.grading.startGrading(gradeData));
+    },
+  }));
 };
 
 /**
diff --git a/src/data/thunkActions/grading.test.js b/src/data/thunkActions/grading.test.js
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6cfccc3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/data/thunkActions/grading.test.js
@@ -0,0 +1,325 @@
+import { RequestKeys } from 'data/constants/requests';
+import { gradingStatuses } from 'data/services/lms/constants';
+import actions from 'data/actions';
+import selectors from 'data/selectors';
+import * as thunkActions from './grading';
+
+jest.mock('./requests', () => ({
+  fetchSubmission: (args) => ({ fetchSubmission: args }),
+  fetchSubmissionResponse: (args) => ({ fetchSubmissionResponse: args }),
+  fetchSubmissionStatus: (args) => ({ fetchSubmissionStatus: args }),
+  setLock: (args) => ({ setLock: args }),
+  submitGrade: (args) => ({ submitGrade: args }),
+}));
+
+jest.mock('data/selectors', () => ({
+  __esModule: true,
+  default: {
+    app: {
+      emptyGrade: (state) => ({ emptyGrade: state }),
+    },
+    grading: {
+      prev: {
+        submissionId: (state) => ({ prevSubmissionId: state }),
+        doesExist: jest.fn((state) => ({ prevDoesExist: state })),
+      },
+      next: {
+        submissionId: (state) => ({ prevSubmissionId: state }),
+        doesExist: jest.fn((state) => ({ nextDoesExist: state })),
+      },
+      selected: {
+        submissionId: (state) => ({ selectedSubmissionId: state }),
+        gradeData: jest.fn((state) => ({ gradeData: state })),
+      },
+    },
+  },
+}));
+
+describe('grading thunkActions', () => {
+  const testState = { some: 'testy-state' };
+  const submissionId = 'test-submission-id';
+  const response = 'test-response';
+  let dispatch;
+  let dispatched;
+  let actionArgs;
+  const getState = () => testState;
+
+  const getDispatched = (calledAction) => {
+    calledAction(dispatch, getState);
+    [[dispatched]] = dispatch.mock.calls;
+  };
+
+  beforeEach(() => {
+    dispatch = jest.fn((action) => ({ dispatch: action }));
+  });
+
+  describe('prefetchNext', () => {
+    beforeEach(() => {
+      getDispatched(thunkActions.prefetchNext());
+      actionArgs = dispatched.fetchSubmissionResponse;
+    });
+    it('dispatches fetchSubmissionResponse with prefetchNext key and nextSubmissionId', () => {
+      expect(actionArgs).not.toEqual(undefined);
+      expect(actionArgs.requestKey).toEqual(RequestKeys.prefetchNext);
+      expect(actionArgs.submissionId).toEqual(selectors.grading.prev.submissionId(testState));
+    });
+    describe('on success', () => {
+      test('dispatches preloadNext', () => {
+        dispatch.mockClear();
+        actionArgs.onSuccess(response);
+        expect(dispatch.mock.calls).toEqual([
+          [actions.grading.preloadNext(response)],
+        ]);
+      });
+    });
+  });
+
+  describe('prefetchPrev', () => {
+    beforeEach(() => {
+      getDispatched(thunkActions.prefetchPrev());
+      actionArgs = dispatched.fetchSubmissionResponse;
+    });
+    it('dispatches fetchSubmissionResponse with prefetchPrev key and next submissionId', () => {
+      expect(actionArgs).not.toEqual(undefined);
+      expect(actionArgs.requestKey).toEqual(RequestKeys.prefetchPrev);
+      expect(actionArgs.submissionId).toEqual(selectors.grading.next.submissionId(testState));
+    });
+    describe('on success', () => {
+      test('dispatches preloadPrev', () => {
+        dispatch.mockClear();
+        actionArgs.onSuccess(response);
+        expect(dispatch.mock.calls).toEqual([
+          [actions.grading.preloadPrev(response)],
+        ]);
+      });
+    });
+  });
+
+  describe('fetchNeighbor', () => {
+    let startGrading;
+    let stopGrading;
+    const loadAction = actions.grading.loadNext;
+    const prefetchAction = actions.grading.loadNext;
+
+    const submitAction = (hasNeighbor) => {
+      getDispatched(thunkActions.fetchNeighbor({
+        submissionId,
+        loadAction,
+        hasNeighbor,
+        prefetchAction,
+      }));
+      actionArgs = dispatched.fetchSubmissionStatus;
+    };
+
+    beforeAll(() => {
+      startGrading = thunkActions.startGrading;
+      thunkActions.startGrading = () => 'startGrading';
+      stopGrading = thunkActions.stopGrading;
+      thunkActions.stopGrading = () => 'stopGrading';
+    });
+    afterAll(() => {
+      thunkActions.startGrading = startGrading;
+      thunkActions.stopGrading = stopGrading;
+    });
+
+    it('calls fetchSubmissionStatus with submissionId', () => {
+      submitAction(false);
+      expect(actionArgs).not.toEqual(undefined);
+      expect(actionArgs.submissionId).toEqual(submissionId);
+    });
+    describe('onSuccess', () => {
+      it('dispatches startGrading if lockStatus is in progress', () => {
+        submitAction(false);
+        dispatch.mockClear();
+        actionArgs.onSuccess({ lockStatus: gradingStatuses.inProgress });
+        expect(dispatch.mock.calls[0]).toEqual([thunkActions.startGrading()]);
+      });
+      it('dispatches stopGrading if lockStatus is not in progress', () => {
+        submitAction(false);
+        dispatch.mockClear();
+        actionArgs.onSuccess({ lockStatus: 'other status' });
+        expect(dispatch.mock.calls[0]).toEqual([thunkActions.stopGrading()]);
+      });
+    });
+  });
+
+  describe('fetchNeigbor inheritors', () => {
+    let fetchNeighbor;
+    beforeAll(() => {
+      fetchNeighbor = thunkActions.fetchNeighbor;
+      thunkActions.fetchNeighbor = args => ({ fetchNeighbor: args });
+    });
+    afterAll(() => {
+      thunkActions.fetchNeighbor = fetchNeighbor;
+    });
+    describe('loadNext', () => {
+      beforeEach(() => {
+        getDispatched(thunkActions.loadNext());
+        actionArgs = dispatched.fetchNeighbor;
+      });
+      test('dispatches fetchNeighbor', () => {
+        expect(actionArgs).not.toEqual(undefined);
+      });
+      describe('fetchNeighbor args', () => {
+        const selGroup = selectors.grading.next;
+        test('loadAction: actions.grading.loadNext', () => {
+          expect(actionArgs.loadAction).toEqual(actions.grading.loadNext);
+        });
+        test('prefetchAction: module.prefetchNext', () => {
+          expect(actionArgs.prefetchAction).toEqual(thunkActions.prefetchNext);
+        });
+        test('hasNeighbor: selectors.grading.next.doesExist', () => {
+          expect(actionArgs.hasNeighbor).toEqual(selGroup.doesExist(testState));
+        });
+        test('submissionId: selectors.grading.next.submissionId', () => {
+          expect(actionArgs.submissionId).toEqual(selGroup.submissionId(testState));
+        });
+      });
+    });
+    describe('loadPrev', () => {
+      beforeEach(() => {
+        getDispatched(thunkActions.loadPrev());
+        actionArgs = dispatched.fetchNeighbor;
+      });
+      test('dispatches fetchNeighbor', () => {
+        expect(actionArgs).not.toEqual(undefined);
+      });
+      describe('fetchNeighbor args', () => {
+        const selGroup = selectors.grading.prev;
+        test('loadAction: actions.grading.loadPrev', () => {
+          expect(actionArgs.loadAction).toEqual(actions.grading.loadPrev);
+        });
+        test('prefetchAction: module.prefetchPrev', () => {
+          expect(actionArgs.prefetchAction).toEqual(thunkActions.prefetchPrev);
+        });
+        test('hasNeighbor: selectors.grading.prev.doesExist', () => {
+          expect(actionArgs.hasNeighbor).toEqual(selGroup.doesExist(testState));
+        });
+        test('submissionId: selectors.grading.prev.submissionId', () => {
+          expect(actionArgs.submissionId).toEqual(selGroup.submissionId(testState));
+        });
+      });
+    });
+  });
+
+  describe('loadSelectionForReview', () => {
+    const submissionIds = [
+      'submission-id-0',
+      'submission-id-1',
+      'submission-id-2',
+      'submission-id-3',
+    ];
+    let prefetchPrev;
+    let prefetchNext;
+    beforeAll(() => {
+      prefetchNext = thunkActions.prefetchNext;
+      prefetchPrev = thunkActions.prefetchPrev;
+      thunkActions.prefetchNext = () => 'prefetch next';
+      thunkActions.prefetchPrev = () => 'prefetch prev';
+    });
+    afterAll(() => {
+      thunkActions.prefetchNext = prefetchNext;
+      thunkActions.prefetchPrev = prefetchPrev;
+    });
+    beforeEach(() => {
+      getDispatched(thunkActions.loadSelectionForReview(submissionIds));
+      actionArgs = dispatched.fetchSubmission;
+    });
+    it('dispatches fetchSubmission with first submissionId', () => {
+      expect(actionArgs).not.toEqual(undefined);
+      expect(actionArgs.submissionId).toEqual(submissionIds[0]);
+    });
+    describe('onSuccess', () => {
+      beforeEach(() => {
+        dispatch.mockClear();
+        actionArgs.onSuccess(response);
+      });
+      it('dispatches updateSelection with passed submissionIds', () => {
+        expect(dispatch.mock.calls).toContainEqual(
+          [actions.grading.updateSelection(submissionIds)],
+        );
+      });
+      it('dispatches actions.grading.loadSubmission with response and first submission id', () => {
+        expect(dispatch.mock.calls).toContainEqual(
+          [actions.grading.loadSubmission({ ...response, submissionId: submissionIds[0] })],
+        );
+      });
+      it('dispatches app setShowReview(true)', () => {
+        expect(dispatch.mock.calls).toContainEqual(
+          [actions.app.setShowReview(true)],
+        );
+      });
+      it('dispatches prefetchNext iff selectors.grading.next.doesExist', () => {
+        // default configured to be truthy
+        expect(dispatch.mock.calls).toContainEqual(
+          [thunkActions.prefetchNext()],
+        );
+        selectors.grading.next.doesExist.mockReturnValue(false);
+        dispatch.mockClear();
+        actionArgs.onSuccess(response);
+        expect(dispatch.mock.calls).not.toContainEqual(
+          [thunkActions.prefetchNext()],
+        );
+      });
+      it('dispatches prefetchPrev iff selectors.grading.prev.doesExist', () => {
+        // default configured to be truthy
+        expect(dispatch.mock.calls).toContainEqual(
+          [thunkActions.prefetchPrev()],
+        );
+        selectors.grading.prev.doesExist.mockReturnValue(false);
+        dispatch.mockClear();
+        actionArgs.onSuccess(response);
+        expect(dispatch.mock.calls).not.toContainEqual(
+          [thunkActions.prefetchPrev()],
+        );
+      });
+    });
+  });
+
+  describe('startGrading', () => {
+    beforeEach(() => {
+      getDispatched(thunkActions.startGrading());
+      actionArgs = dispatched.setLock;
+    });
+    test('dispatches setLock with selected submissionId and value: true', () => {
+      expect(actionArgs).not.toEqual(undefined);
+      expect(actionArgs.value).toEqual(true);
+      expect(actionArgs.submissionId).toEqual(selectors.grading.selected.submissionId(testState));
+    });
+    describe('onSuccess', () => {
+      beforeEach(() => {
+        dispatch.mockClear();
+      });
+      test('dispatches app.setGrading(true)', () => {
+        actionArgs.onSuccess();
+        expect(dispatch.mock.calls).toContainEqual([actions.app.setGrading(true)]);
+      });
+      test('dispatches startGrading with selected gradeData if truthy', () => {
+        actionArgs.onSuccess();
+        const gradeData = selectors.grading.selected.gradeData(testState);
+        expect(dispatch.mock.calls).toContainEqual([actions.grading.startGrading(gradeData)]);
+      });
+      test('dispatches startGrading with empty grade if selected gradeData is not truthy', () => {
+        const emptyGrade = selectors.app.emptyGrade(testState);
+        selectors.grading.selected.gradeData.mockReturnValueOnce(null);
+        actionArgs.onSuccess();
+        expect(dispatch.mock.calls).toContainEqual([actions.grading.startGrading(emptyGrade)]);
+
+        dispatch.mockClear();
+        selectors.grading.selected.gradeData.mockReturnValueOnce(undefined);
+        actionArgs.onSuccess();
+        expect(dispatch.mock.calls).toContainEqual([actions.grading.startGrading(emptyGrade)]);
+      });
+    });
+  });
+
+  describe('stopGrading', () => {
+    it('dispatches grading.clearGrade and app.setGrading(false)', () => {
+      thunkActions.stopGrading()(dispatch);
+      expect(dispatch.mock.calls).toEqual([
+        [actions.grading.clearGrade()],
+        [actions.app.setGrading(false)],
+      ]);
+    });
+  });
+});
diff --git a/src/data/thunkActions/requests.js b/src/data/thunkActions/requests.js
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d59f837
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/data/thunkActions/requests.js
@@ -0,0 +1,129 @@
+import { StrictDict } from 'utils';
+
+import { RequestKeys } from 'data/constants/requests';
+import actions from 'data/actions';
+import api from 'data/services/lms/api';
+import * as module from './requests';
+
+/**
+ * Wrapper around a network request promise, that sends actions to the redux store to
+ * track the state of that promise.
+ * Tracks the promise by requestKey, and sends an action when it is started, succeeds, or
+ * fails.  It also accepts onSuccess and onFailure methods to be called with the output
+ * of failure or success of the promise.
+ * @param {string} requestKey - request tracking identifier
+ * @param {Promise} promise - api event promise
+ * @param {[func]} onSuccess - onSuccess method ((response) => { ... })
+ * @param {[func]} onFailure - onFailure method ((error) => { ... })
+ */
+export const networkRequest = ({
+  requestKey,
+  promise,
+  onSuccess,
+  onFailure,
+}) => (dispatch) => {
+  dispatch(actions.requests.startRequest(requestKey));
+  return promise.then((response) => {
+    dispatch(actions.requests.completeRequest({ requestKey, response }));
+    if (onSuccess) { onSuccess(response); }
+  }).catch((error) => {
+    dispatch(actions.requests.failRequest({ requestKey, error }));
+    if (onFailure) { onFailure(error); }
+  });
+};
+
+/**
+ * Tracked initializeApp api method.
+ * Tracked to the `initialize` request key.
+ * @param {string} locationId - ora location id
+ * @param {[func]} onSuccess - onSuccess method ((response) => { ... })
+ * @param {[func]} onFailure - onFailure method ((error) => { ... })
+ */
+export const initializeApp = ({ locationId, ...rest }) => (dispatch) => {
+  dispatch(module.networkRequest({
+    requestKey: RequestKeys.initialize,
+    promise: api.initializeApp(locationId),
+    ...rest,
+  }));
+};
+
+/**
+ * Tracked fetchSubmissionResponse api method.
+ * Tracked either prefetchNext or prefetchPrev request key.
+ * @param {string} submissionId - target submission id
+ * @param {[func]} onSuccess - onSuccess method ((response) => { ... })
+ * @param {[func]} onFailure - onFailure method ((error) => { ... })
+ */
+export const fetchSubmissionResponse = ({ submissionId, ...rest }) => (dispatch) => {
+  dispatch(module.networkRequest({
+    promise: api.fetchSubmissionResponse(submissionId),
+    ...rest,
+  }));
+};
+
+/**
+ * Tracked fetchSubmissionStatus api method.
+ * Tracked to the `fetchSubmissinStatus` request key.
+ * @param {string} submissionId - target submission id
+ * @param {[func]} onSuccess - onSuccess method ((response) => { ... })
+ * @param {[func]} onFailure - onFailure method ((error) => { ... })
+ */
+export const fetchSubmissionStatus = ({ submissionId, ...rest }) => (dispatch) => {
+  dispatch(module.networkRequest({
+    requestKey: RequestKeys.fetchSubmissionStatus,
+    promise: api.fetchSubmissionStatus(submissionId),
+    ...rest,
+  }));
+};
+
+/**
+ * Tracked initializeApp api method.  tracked to the `initialize` request key.
+ * @param {string} submissionId - target submission id
+ * @param {[func]} onSuccess - onSuccess method ((response) => { ... })
+ * @param {[func]} onFailure - onFailure method ((error) => { ... })
+ */
+export const fetchSubmission = ({ submissionId, ...rest }) => (dispatch) => {
+  dispatch(module.networkRequest({
+    requestKey: RequestKeys.fetchSubmission,
+    promise: api.fetchSubmission(submissionId),
+    ...rest,
+  }));
+};
+
+/**
+ * Tracked initializeApp api method.  tracked to the `initialize` request key.
+ * @param {string} submissionId - target submission id
+ * @param {bool} value - requested lock value
+ * @param {[func]} onSuccess - onSuccess method ((response) => { ... })
+ * @param {[func]} onFailure - onFailure method ((error) => { ... })
+ */
+export const setLock = ({ submissionId, value, ...rest }) => (dispatch) => {
+  dispatch(module.networkRequest({
+    requestKey: RequestKeys.setLock,
+    promise: api.lockSubmission({ submissionId, value }),
+    ...rest,
+  }));
+};
+
+/**
+ * Tracked initializeApp api method.  tracked to the `initialize` request key.
+ * @param {string} submissionId - target submission id
+ * @param {obj} gradeData - grade data object
+ * @param {[func]} onSuccess - onSuccess method ((response) => { ... })
+ * @param {[func]} onFailure - onFailure method ((error) => { ... })
+ */
+export const submitGrade = ({ submissionId, gradeData, ...rest }) => (dispatch) => {
+  dispatch(module.networkRequest({
+    requestKey: RequestKeys.submitGrade,
+    promise: api.updateGrade(submissionId, gradeData),
+    ...rest,
+  }));
+};
+
+export default StrictDict({
+  fetchSubmission,
+  fetchSubmissionResponse,
+  fetchSubmissionStatus,
+  setLock,
+  submitGrade,
+});
diff --git a/src/data/thunkActions/requests.test.js b/src/data/thunkActions/requests.test.js
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2f1be66
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/data/thunkActions/requests.test.js
@@ -0,0 +1,181 @@
+import actions from 'data/actions';
+import { RequestKeys } from 'data/constants/requests';
+import api from 'data/services/lms/api';
+import * as requests from './requests';
+
+jest.mock('data/services/lms/api', () => ({
+  initializeApp: (locationId) => ({ initializeApp: locationId }),
+  fetchSubmissionResponse: (submissionId) => ({ fetchSubmissionResponse: submissionId }),
+  fetchSubmissionStatus: (submissionId) => ({ fetchSubmissionStatus: submissionId }),
+  fetchSubmission: (submissionId) => ({ fetchSubmission: submissionId }),
+  lockSubmission: ({ submissionId, value }) => ({ lockSubmission: { submissionId, value } }),
+  updateGrade: (submissionId, gradeData) => ({ updateGrade: { submissionId, gradeData } }),
+}));
+
+let dispatch;
+let onSuccess;
+let onFailure;
+describe('requests thunkActions module', () => {
+  beforeEach(() => {
+    dispatch = jest.fn();
+    onSuccess = jest.fn();
+    onFailure = jest.fn();
+  });
+
+  describe('networkRequest', () => {
+    const requestKey = 'test-request';
+    const testData = { some: 'test data' };
+    let resolveFn;
+    let rejectFn;
+    beforeEach(() => {
+      onSuccess = jest.fn();
+      onFailure = jest.fn();
+      requests.networkRequest({
+        requestKey,
+        promise: new Promise((resolve, reject) => {
+          resolveFn = resolve;
+          rejectFn = reject;
+        }),
+        onSuccess,
+        onFailure,
+      })(dispatch);
+    });
+    test('calls startRequest action with requestKey', async () => {
+      expect(dispatch.mock.calls).toEqual([[actions.requests.startRequest(requestKey)]]);
+    });
+    describe('on success', () => {
+      beforeEach(async () => {
+        await resolveFn(testData);
+      });
+      it('dispatches completeRequest', async () => {
+        expect(dispatch.mock.calls).toEqual([
+          [actions.requests.startRequest(requestKey)],
+          [actions.requests.completeRequest({ requestKey, response: testData })],
+        ]);
+      });
+      it('calls onSuccess with response', async () => {
+        expect(onSuccess).toHaveBeenCalledWith(testData);
+        expect(onFailure).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+      });
+    });
+    describe('on failure', () => {
+      beforeEach(async () => {
+        await rejectFn(testData);
+      });
+      test('dispatches completeRequest', async () => {
+        expect(dispatch.mock.calls).toEqual([
+          [actions.requests.startRequest(requestKey)],
+          [actions.requests.failRequest({ requestKey, error: testData })],
+        ]);
+      });
+      test('calls onSuccess with response', async () => {
+        expect(onFailure).toHaveBeenCalledWith(testData);
+        expect(onSuccess).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+      });
+    });
+  });
+
+  const testNetworkRequestAction = ({
+    action,
+    args,
+    expectedData,
+    expectedString,
+  }) => {
+    let dispatchedAction;
+    beforeEach(() => {
+      action({ ...args, onSuccess, onFailure })(dispatch);
+      [[dispatchedAction]] = dispatch.mock.calls;
+    });
+    it('dispatches networkRequest', () => {
+      expect(dispatchedAction.networkRequest).not.toEqual(undefined);
+    });
+    test('forwards onSuccess and onFailure', () => {
+      expect(dispatchedAction.networkRequest.onSuccess).toEqual(onSuccess);
+      expect(dispatchedAction.networkRequest.onFailure).toEqual(onFailure);
+    });
+    test(expectedString, () => {
+      expect(dispatchedAction.networkRequest).toEqual({
+        ...expectedData,
+        onSuccess,
+        onFailure,
+      });
+    });
+  };
+
+  describe('network request actions', () => {
+    const submissionId = 'test-submission-id';
+    const locationId = 'test-location-id';
+    beforeEach(() => {
+      requests.networkRequest = jest.fn(args => ({ networkRequest: args }));
+    });
+    describe('initializeApp', () => {
+      testNetworkRequestAction({
+        action: requests.initializeApp,
+        args: { locationId },
+        expectedString: 'with initialize key, initializeApp promise',
+        expectedData: {
+          requestKey: RequestKeys.initialize,
+          promise: api.initializeApp(locationId),
+        },
+      });
+    });
+    describe('fetchSubmissionResponse', () => {
+      const requestKey = 'test-request-key';
+      testNetworkRequestAction({
+        action: requests.fetchSubmissionResponse,
+        args: { submissionId, requestKey },
+        expectedString: 'with fetchSubmissionResponse promise',
+        expectedData: {
+          requestKey,
+          promise: api.fetchSubmissionResponse(submissionId),
+        },
+      });
+    });
+    describe('fetchSubmissionStatus', () => {
+      testNetworkRequestAction({
+        action: requests.fetchSubmissionStatus,
+        args: { submissionId },
+        expectedString: 'with fetchSubmissionStatus promise',
+        expectedData: {
+          requestKey: RequestKeys.fetchSubmissionStatus,
+          promise: api.fetchSubmissionStatus(submissionId),
+        },
+      });
+    });
+    describe('fetchSubmission', () => {
+      testNetworkRequestAction({
+        action: requests.fetchSubmission,
+        args: { submissionId },
+        expectedString: 'with fetchSubmission promise',
+        expectedData: {
+          requestKey: RequestKeys.fetchSubmission,
+          promise: api.fetchSubmission(submissionId),
+        },
+      });
+    });
+    describe('setLock', () => {
+      const lockValue = 'test-lock-value';
+      testNetworkRequestAction({
+        action: requests.setLock,
+        args: { submissionId, value: lockValue },
+        expectedString: 'with setLock promise',
+        expectedData: {
+          requestKey: RequestKeys.setLock,
+          promise: api.lockSubmission({ submissionId, value: lockValue }),
+        },
+      });
+    });
+    describe('submitGrade', () => {
+      const gradeData = 'test-grade-data';
+      testNetworkRequestAction({
+        action: requests.submitGrade,
+        args: { submissionId, gradeData },
+        expectedString: 'with submitGrade promise',
+        expectedData: {
+          requestKey: RequestKeys.submitGrade,
+          promise: api.updateGrade(submissionId, gradeData),
+        },
+      });
+    });
+  });
+});