Scientists Hold Secret Meetings, Won't Tell You Why
Published Date: 1/13/2025
Notice
Summary
The NIH’s Center for Scientific Review is holding several closed virtual meetings in early February 2025 to review and decide on grant applications. These meetings protect private info and trade secrets while helping decide who gets research funding. Scientists applying for grants in health and neuroscience fields should note these dates as part of the funding review process.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Closed Reviews Protect Applicant Privacy
You should know the NIH is closing grant-review meetings to the public under 5 U.S.C. 552b(c)(4) and 552b(c)(6) because discussions may disclose confidential trade secrets, patentable material, or personal information. The closed status is intended to keep applicants' proprietary and personal information private during the review process.
Meeting Dates and Formats for Grant Reviews
If you are a scientist applying for NIH grants in the listed fields, note that review meetings are scheduled on February 5-7, 2025 (specific panels on Feb 5-6 and Feb 6-7). Most meetings are virtual; one listed meeting (Biobehavioral Mechanisms of Emotion, Stress and Health Study Section) on February 6-7 is both in person and virtual at the Washington Marriott Georgetown.
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