NIH Locks Doors for Secret Science Funding Talks
Published Date: 2/17/2026
Notice
Summary
The NIH’s Center for Scientific Review is holding several closed virtual meetings in March 2026 to review and evaluate grant applications. These meetings protect private info and trade secrets while deciding which research projects get funding. Scientists applying for grants in population studies, Alzheimer’s, and cancer research should note these important review dates.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
NIH peer-review meetings scheduled in March
The NIH Center for Scientific Review will hold virtual meetings to review grant applications on specific March 2026 dates: March 13; March 17-18; March 18; and March 18-19. These panels review applications in areas including population sciences and epidemiology, Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, translational cancer research (SPORE P50), IDeA CTR-D (P20/P50), big data/health IT/clinical informatics, healthcare delivery and disparities, and infectious disease molecular virology.
Reviews closed to protect trade secrets and privacy
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 (such as patentable material), and personal information tied to grant applications. If you are an applicant, expect that discussions of your application may be held in a closed virtual meeting to protect proprietary and private information.
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