NIH Shuts Doors on Grant Review Whisper Sessions
Published Date: 9/3/2025
Notice
Summary
The NIH’s Center for Scientific Review is holding several closed virtual meetings in October 2025 to review and evaluate grant applications. These meetings keep sensitive info private, protecting trade secrets and personal details. Researchers applying for grants should note these dates as they impact funding decisions but won’t cost extra or be open to the public.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Closed virtual grant review meetings
The NIH Center for Scientific Review will hold virtual meetings on October 7-8, October 15-16, October 16-17, October 22, and October 27-28, 2025 to review and evaluate grant applications. These sessions are scheduled for specific study sections (e.g., Macromolecular Structure and Function; Human Studies of Diabetes and Obesity) and list start and end times for each day.
Confidentiality of applicants protected
The meetings will be closed to the public under 5 U.S.C. 552b(c)(4) and 552b(c)(6) to protect confidential trade secrets, commercial property (including patentable material), and personal information of individuals associated with grant applications. The notice states disclosure would be a "clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy."
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