Scientists Hold Secret Meetings, Won't Tell You Why
Published Date: 11/25/2025
Notice
Summary
The Center for Scientific Review is holding a closed virtual meeting on January 7-8, 2026, to review important cancer research grant applications. These meetings are private to protect sensitive information and personal privacy. Researchers applying for grants and the NIH budget could be affected, but no new costs or deadlines are announced.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Grant Review Meetings Closed to Public
The National Institutes of Health is holding a closed, virtual meeting on January 7-8, 2026 (09:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.) to review and evaluate cancer research grant applications. The meeting is closed under 5 U.S.C. 552b(c)(4) and 552b(c)(6) to protect confidential trade secrets, patentable material, and personal information, so the public cannot attend or observe.
No New Costs or Deadlines Announced
The notice states that no new costs or application deadlines are announced in connection with the January 7-8, 2026 grant review meeting. Researchers applying for grants should not expect additional fees or new submission deadlines from this meeting notice.
Your PRIA Score
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this federal register document and every other regulation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-12244 — Center for Scientific Review; Notice of Closed Meetings
The Center for Scientific Review is holding several closed virtual meetings in July 2026 to review and decide on important research grant applications. These meetings protect private info and trade secrets while helping decide funding for health research projects. Scientists and researchers applying for grants should note these dates as they impact which projects get money.
2026-12116 — Center for Scientific Review; Notice of Closed Meetings
The Center for Scientific Review is holding several closed virtual meetings in July 2026 to review and decide on important grant applications. These meetings protect private info and trade secrets while helping fund research on mice, drug development, and primate centers. Scientists and research groups applying for grants should watch for these dates as they impact funding decisions.
2026-12106 — Submission for OMB Review; 30-Day Comment Request; NIH Extramural Harassment Web Form (Office of the Director, Office of Extramural Research)
The NIH wants to keep their Extramural Harassment Web Form active so people working with NIH grants can safely report harassment. They’re asking the public to share thoughts by July 16, 2026, but no changes or costs are involved—just a smooth continuation. This helps keep NIH’s research community respectful and safe!
2026-12070 — Government Owned Inventions Available for License: Establishment and Characterization of the A1847 Human Ovarian Carcinoma Line
The National Cancer Institute is offering a special ovarian cancer cell line called A1847 for researchers to license and use. This cell line helps scientists study how ovarian cancer grows and find better treatments, especially for tough cases linked to BRCA1 gene problems. If you’re into cancer research, this is your chance to get a powerful tool starting now, with no big costs for licensing.
2026-11892 — Proposed Collection; 60-Day Comment Request; Specimen Resource Locator (National Cancer Institute)
The National Cancer Institute wants your thoughts on a new way to track and locate cancer research samples through their Specimen Resource Locator. This affects researchers and labs who use these samples, aiming to make finding and sharing easier without adding extra costs or delays. You’ve got 60 days to share your feedback and help shape this helpful tool!
2026-11390 — Center for Scientific Review; Notice of Closed Meetings
The Center for Scientific Review is holding several closed virtual meetings in July 2026 to review and decide on important research grant applications. These meetings protect private info and trade secrets while helping decide who gets funding to advance science. Researchers applying for grants should note these dates as they impact funding decisions but don’t involve public attendance or extra costs.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-21021 — Center for Scientific Review; Notice of Closed Meetings
The NIH’s Center for Scientific Review is holding a closed virtual meeting on January 8, 2026, to review important research grant applications. These meetings keep sensitive info private, protecting trade secrets and personal details. Scientists applying for grants and the research community are affected, with no direct cost changes but important deadlines to note.
Next: 2025-21023 — Center for Scientific Review; Notice of Closed Meetings
The Center for Scientific Review is holding a closed virtual meeting on January 5, 2026, to review special grant applications about animal and biological research resources. These meetings are private to protect secret ideas and personal info. Scientists applying for these grants and the research community should note this important review date, but no new costs or changes affect the public.