NIH Reviewers Go Behind Closed Doors to Rank Science Grant Applications
Published Date: 10/21/2026
Notice
Summary
The Center for Scientific Review is holding several closed virtual meetings in November 2026 to review and evaluate grant applications. These meetings affect researchers and small businesses seeking funding for scientific projects, especially in biophysics, immunology, neurodegenerative disorders, and anti-infective therapies. No public access is allowed to protect private and sensitive information, but these reviews help decide who gets research money.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
NIH will review grant applications in November
If you are a researcher or a small business applying for NIH funding, your grant applications will be reviewed by closed special-emphasis and study section panels on the listed November 2026 dates. Examples of panels include Special Topics in Macromolecular Biophysics (Nov 17, 2026), Small Business: Applied Immunology (Nov 18-19, 2026), Small Business: Biologic-based Therapeutics for Neurodegenerative Disorders (Nov 18-19, 2026), Small Business: Anti-Infective Therapeutics (Nov 18-19, 2026), and Small Business: Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (Nov 19-20, 2026).
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) because the grant reviews could disclose confidential trade secrets, patentable commercial property, or personal information. This closure is intended to keep applicants' proprietary information and personal data private during the review process.
Peer review meetings will be virtual
All listed review meetings are formatted as virtual meetings on the November 2026 dates (for example, Nov 17; Nov 18-19; Nov 19-20). Researchers and small businesses should expect the review panels to meet remotely rather than in person on those dates.
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