VA Renews Joint Health Research Merit Review Board
Published Date: 3/19/2026
Notice
Summary
The Department of Veterans Affairs is renewing its Joint Brain, Behavioral, and Mental Health and Medical Health Scientific Merit Review Board for two more years. This board helps pick the best research projects to fund, making sure they’re safe, smart, and useful for veterans. The renewal keeps $1.6 million flowing to support this important work and the experts who review the research.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Continues Expert Review Of ~1,000 Proposals
The renewed Board will continue expert merit review of about 1,000 biomedical research proposals each year, helping VA Office of Research Development choose projects to fund. VA ORD funds approximately 20% of the proposals it receives, and the Board advises on scientific quality, budget, safety, and mission relevance to guide those funding decisions.
Keeps $1.6M Funding for Reviewers
The VA is keeping $1,600,000 in annual operating funds to support the Joint Brain, Behavioral, and Mental Health and Medical Health Scientific Merit Review Board. The budget breaks down to $1,060,000 for federal personnel (4.9 FTE) and $540,000 in payments to non‑federal members, who may be paid up to $300 per day plus travel and per diem under the Federal Travel Regulation.
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
2026-11973, Implementing Regulation for National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA): Environmental Effects of the Department of Veterans Affairs Actions
The Department of Veterans Affairs is updating how it checks the environmental impact of its projects to be faster, clearer, and more in line with new laws passed since 1989. This change affects VA staff and veterans by improving planning and making sure VA actions protect the environment while delivering care. The new rules start June 15, 2026, and the VA welcomes feedback until July 15, 2026.
2025-21242, Extending Deadline for Debtor To Request a Waiver
The VA is giving veterans more time—up to one year instead of 180 days—to ask for a waiver on debts related to benefits. This change, effective January 26, 2026, helps reduce stress by giving veterans extra breathing room to handle their debt issues. It doesn’t cost veterans extra money but makes the process friendlier and fairer.
2025-18827, Extension of Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers Eligibility for Legacy Participants and Legacy Applicants
The VA is giving family caregivers of veterans more time to stay in their special support program by extending the deadline from 2025 to 2028. This means caregivers and veterans who joined the program earlier (the legacy group) can keep getting help for three more years. No changes to money or benefits, just extra time to enjoy the support they deserve!
2025-14687, Reproductive Health Services
The VA is planning to stop covering abortions and abortion counseling again, reversing a 2022 change. This affects veterans and their families who use VA and CHAMPVA health benefits. The change aims to focus VA services on what they consider essential care, with no new costs or timing details shared yet.
2026-16500, Agency Information Collection Activity: Mandatory Verification of Dependents
Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), is announcing an opportunity for public comment on the proposed collection of certain information by the agency. Under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, Federal agencies are required to publish notice in the Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of information, including each proposed revision of a currently approved collection, and allow 60 days for public comment in response to the notice.
2026-16308, Agency Information Collection Activity: Veteran/Servicemembers Supplemental Application for Assistance in Acquiring Specially Adapted Housing
In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, this notice announces that the Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, will submit the collection of information abstracted below to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comment. The PRA submission describes the nature of the information collection and its expected cost and burden and it includes the actual data collection instrument.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-05361, Health Systems Research Scientific Merit Review Board
The Department of Veterans Affairs is renewing its Health Systems Research Scientific Merit Review Board for two more years to keep picking the best research projects that help veterans. This board, made up of experts, advises on research priorities and ensures VA funds are used wisely, with a budget of about $1.45 million. Veterans, researchers, and taxpayers benefit from this smart, fair review process continuing through 2028.
Next: 2026-05363, Cooperative Studies Scientific Evaluation Committee
The Department of Veterans Affairs is renewing its Cooperative Studies Scientific Evaluation Committee for two more years to keep reviewing important VA research projects. This committee helps make sure studies are well-planned, useful, and safe, especially those involving veterans. The renewal costs about $35,000 a year and keeps the committee active through 2028, benefiting researchers and veterans alike.