Scientists Hold Secret Meetings, Won't Tell You Why
Published Date: 1/15/2025
Notice
Summary
The NIH’s Center for Scientific Review is holding several closed virtual meetings in February 2025 to review and decide on important research grant applications. These meetings protect private info and trade secrets while helping decide who gets funding for cool science projects. If you’re a researcher applying for grants, these dates are key for your funding chances!
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
NIH closed grant review meetings
The NIH Center for Scientific Review will hold closed virtual meetings on February 6-7, 2025 and February 11-12, 2025 to review and evaluate grant applications for several study sections (Imaging Technology for Neuroscience; Academic-Industrial Partnerships; Transmission of Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases). These meetings are scheduled as virtual meetings and will consider which grant applications receive funding.
Confidentiality protections for grant materials
The meetings will be closed to the public under 5 U.S.C. 552b(c)(4) and 552b(c)(6) because grant discussions could disclose confidential trade secrets, commercial property (such as patentable material), or personal information. The closure is to prevent unwarranted invasions of privacy and to protect proprietary information in the grant applications.
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