NIH Locks Doors for Secret Science Grant Huddles
Published Date: 9/24/2025
Notice
Summary
The Center for Scientific Review is holding several closed virtual meetings in November 2025 to review important grant applications. These meetings protect private info and trade secrets while deciding who gets funding for health and science projects. Researchers and small businesses applying for grants should note these dates as they impact funding decisions.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Small Business Grant Panels on Nov 18-19
Several Small Business review panels (including Innovations for Healthy Living; Cell and Molecular Biology; Sensory Technologies) will meet virtually on November 18 and November 18-19, 2025 to review and evaluate grant applications. If you are a small business applying to these topic panels, your application will be reviewed on those dates and may affect whether you receive NIH funding.
Career Development and Mentored Award Reviews
Career development and mentored/career transition award panels (for example: Career Development Award Grant Review: Aging and Mental Health; Mentored and Career Transition Award) will meet virtually on November 18, 2025 to review grant applications. If you are a researcher applying for these awards, your application will be evaluated on that date and could affect your chances for career-support funding.
Meetings Closed to Protect Applicant Privacy
The NIH Center for Scientific Review will close listed review meetings to the public under 5 U.S.C. 552b(c)(4) and 552b(c)(6) because grant discussions could reveal confidential trade secrets or personal information. These closed virtual meetings on November 18 and November 18-19, 2025 mean applicant trade secrets and personal details are protected, but the public cannot observe the reviews.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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