FR 2021-00915

The document under review, titled "Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development; Notice of Closed Meetings," originates from the Health and Human Services Department and the National Institutes of Health. It announces upcoming closed meetings for certain subcommittees of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. These meetings are scheduled to discuss grant applications and are slated to occur in February and March 2021, respectively.

General Summary

This notice indicates that two specific subcommittees of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development will convene to review and evaluate grant applications. The Reproduction, Andrology, and Gynecology Subcommittee is scheduled to meet on February 18, 2021, while the Pediatrics Subcommittee is set to meet on March 11, 2021. Both meetings will take place via video conference at the Institute’s Bethesda, Maryland location.

Significant Issues or Concerns

A notable concern within the document is the lack of detailed justification for closing these meetings to the public, aside from referencing general concerns about confidentiality. The notice specifies that the discussions could reveal sensitive information, such as trade secrets or personal data associated with grant applications. However, it does not elaborate on the nature of these trade secrets or the type of commercial property being protected, leading to some ambiguity.

Furthermore, the document makes reference to specific sections of the U.S. Code, such as 552b(c)(4) and 552b(c)(6), Title 5, without providing an explanation that a general audience might find accessible. This could hinder the understanding of why these sections warrant the exclusion of the public from the meetings.

Impact on the Public

For the general public, the closure of these meetings may raise concerns about transparency, particularly for individuals interested in the workings of the National Institutes of Health or in specific areas such as child health and development. Members of the community might feel excluded from important discussions that could influence health research priorities and funding.

Impact on Specific Stakeholders

For stakeholders directly involved with the grant applications being discussed, such as researchers or institutions applying for funding, the closed nature of the meetings is standard practice to protect sensitive information. It helps to ensure that proprietary data, trade secrets, or personal information remain confidential, which is crucial for applicants who need protection for their intellectual property.

From a broader perspective, organizations and individuals advocating for public accountability may perceive the closed meetings as a barrier to transparency in how public funds are allocated. Conversely, for those within the pharmaceutical or health research industries, the protection of trade secrets and sensitive data through these closed meetings can be seen as an essential safeguard.

In summary, while the document serves its purpose of notifying stakeholders about the closed meetings, the lack of specificity regarding the confidential nature of the discussions may be a point of concern for those outside the immediate academic and scientific communities. Balancing transparency and confidentiality remains a critical consideration for governmental and scientific bodies involved in such deliberations.