2025-22030Notice

Half-Secret Environmental Health Meeting: What's Being Hidden?

Published Date: 12/5/2025

Notice

Summary

The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences is holding a mixed in-person and virtual meeting from February 8-10, 2026, with some parts open to the public and others closed to protect private info and trade secrets. Scientists, grant applicants, and the public are affected, especially those interested in environmental health research updates and funding decisions. The open sessions will be streamed online, making it easy to join and stay informed without spending a dime.

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.

Open Sessions Are Videocast Free

The meeting’s open sessions on February 9–10, 2026 will be videocast and can be accessed from the NIH Videocasting and Podcasting website. You can watch the open parts online without paying or registering for the meeting.

No Registration Required For Open Portion

Registration is not required to attend the meeting’s open portion in person. You can attend the open sessions in person at NIEHS (Rodbell Auditorium, Research Triangle Park, NC) without pre-registering.

How Public Comments Are Handled

Anyone may submit written comments to the committee by sending a statement to the listed Contact Person. If you want to present oral comments, you must notify the Contact Person at least 10 days before the meeting; organizations may send one representative and presentations may be limited to five minutes.

Closed Sessions Protect Confidential Info

Portions of the meeting (various times on February 8–10, 2026) will be closed to protect confidential trade secrets, patentable material, and personal information in grant applications and contract proposals. Grant applicants and contract proposers will have those discussions kept private.

On-Site Security And ID Requirements

Visitors attending meetings on campus will be subject to NIH security procedures: visitor vehicles will be inspected and visitors must show one form of ID (for example, a government photo ID, driver’s license, or passport) and state their purpose for the visit. These procedures apply for entrance to on-campus and off-campus facilities.

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Key Dates

Published Date
Effective Date
12/5/2025
2/8/2026

Department and Agencies

Department
Independent Agency
Agency
Health and Human Services Department
National Institutes of Health
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