NIH Locks Doors on Secret Grant Review Sessions
Published Date: 9/30/2025
Notice
Summary
The Center for Scientific Review is holding several closed virtual meetings this fall to review important grant applications in health research. These meetings protect private info and trade secrets while deciding who gets funding. Researchers and small businesses applying for grants should note the dates in November and December 2025 to stay in the loop.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Grant reviews held in closed meetings
If you applied for NIH grant funding, your application will be reviewed in closed virtual meetings that are not open to the public. The notice says the meetings are closed under 5 U.S.C. 552b(c)(4) and 552b(c)(6) to protect confidential trade secrets, commercial property, patentable material, and personal information.
Small-business grant panel on Dec 3-4, 2025
If you are a small business applying for NIH grants in hematology or cardiovascular biology, note the Small Business Special Emphasis Panel meets virtually December 3–4, 2025 to review and evaluate grant applications. The meeting runs 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and is virtual.
Fellowship/mentored training review on Dec 9, 2025
If you applied for fellowships or mentored training in kidney, urology, or related disciplines, the Special Emphasis Panel meets virtually on December 9, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. to review and evaluate applications.
Research panels for aging and HIV — November dates
Researchers with applications in Topics in Health Services Research (Aging) and HIV and AIDS Research should note those virtual panels meet November 4–5, 2025 and November 12, 2025 respectively to review and evaluate grant applications. Both meetings are virtual and list contact officers for more information.
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-16683, Proposed Collection; 60-Day Comment Request; Data Use Certification for the NIH National Institute on Drug Abuse Data Share Site
The purpose of this notice is to inform the public of the information collection requirement for the NIDA Data Share, the data use terms and conditions, and to request a progress report statement at the time of renewal. In compliance with the requirement of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 to provide opportunity for public comment on proposed data collection projects, the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) will publish periodic summaries of proposed projects to be submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval.
2026-16544, Government-Owned Inventions; Availability for Licensing
The inventions listed below are owned by an agency of the U.S. Government and are available for licensing to achieve expeditious commercialization of results of federally-funded research for the benefit of the public health.
2026-16440, NIH Owned Invention Available for License: Soluble Tissue Factor, a Novel Target, and Antibodies, for Diagnosis, Prevention and Treatment of Thrombosis and Related Conditions
Scientists at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) have discovered a novel therapeutic, diagnostic and prognostic target for thrombosis: Soluble Tissue Factor (sTF). NCI has generated first-in- class antibodies and platform selectively neutralizing pathological coagulation while preserving normal hemostasis. This platform technology can be used to prevent, diagnose and treat pathological thrombosis caused by a variety of clinical conditions-including cancer, sepsis, infectious diseases (e.g., COVID), autoimmune disorders, trauma, heart conditions and inflammatory conditions. It offers a much more sensitive and specific test of thrombosis than the current D-dimer test. It may be applicable to any clinical condition which induces necroptosis, pyroptosis and NETtosis, such as cancer, neurodegenerative disease, ischemia-reperfusion and acute injuries, traumatic injuries, bacterial and viral infections, cardiovascular conditions, and atherosclerosis, inflammatory, autoimmune conditions, and others.
2026-16071, Proposed Collection; 60-Day Comment Request: The Impact of Clinical Research Training and Medical Education at the Clinical Center on Physician Careers in Academia and Clinical Research (Clinical Center)
In compliance with the requirement of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, for opportunity for public comment on proposed data collection projects, the Clinical Center, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) will publish periodic summaries of proposed projects to be submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval.
2026-15565, Proposed Collection; 60-Day Comment Request, Data Use Certification for the NIH Brain Development Cohorts (NBDC) Data Hub, (National Institute on Drug Abuse)
In compliance with the requirement of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 to provide opportunity for public comment on proposed data collection projects, the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) will publish periodic summaries of proposed projects to be submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval. The purpose of this revision is to update instructions for the Research Data Use Statement and the Progress Report, and to add new instructions for attesting to National Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST) security compliance, and for a Project Close-out at the time of project completion. Burden levels remain unchanged.
2026-14980, Government Owned Invention Available for License: Pigment Epithelium-Derived Factor Peptides and Their Use for Treating Retinal Degeneration
The National Eye Institute has a cool new invention using special peptides to help protect eyes from inherited diseases like retinitis pigmentosa, which causes vision loss for over 100,000 Americans. They’re looking for partners to help develop easy-to-use eyedrops or gene therapy to slow down or stop this eye damage. This could bring hope and new treatments to many people with few options, and interested parties can start talking to the NIH now!
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-19023, Diameter Dynamic Credit Fund and Diameter DCF Advisor LLC
Diameter Dynamic Credit Fund and its advisor want permission to offer different types of shares with special fees and early withdrawal charges. This change affects investors in these funds and could impact how much they pay or get charged. If no one asks for a hearing by October 21, 2025, the SEC will approve it automatically.
Next: 2025-19025, Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget for Review and Approval; Application and Reports for Paleontological Permits
Hey fossil fans! The government wants to update the forms you fill out to get permits for digging up dinosaur bones and other ancient treasures. This change affects paleontologists and anyone applying for these permits, aiming to make the process smoother without costing extra time or money. Keep an eye out—these updates need approval soon to keep the fossil fun rolling!