Overview
Title
National Center for Complementary & Integrative Health; Notice of Closed Meeting
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health is having a meeting where they look at secret plans people send them to get money for projects. They need to keep these plans and people's information private, so nobody else can see them.
Summary AI
The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health announced a closed meeting to review grant applications. This meeting, held virtually on February 18th-19th, 2021, will be restricted to protect confidential trade secrets and personal information related to the grant applications. The purpose of the meeting is to evaluate these applications without public access to ensure privacy. For further information, Patrick Colby Still, Ph.D., can be contacted via email.
Keywords AI
Sources
AnalysisAI
The document conveys a notice about a closed meeting organized by the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, which is part of the National Institutes of Health under the Department of Health and Human Services. The purpose of this meeting, scheduled for February 18th-19th, 2021, is to review and evaluate grant applications relating to complementary and alternative medicine. This review is designed to take place virtually in accordance with the ongoing procedural and regulatory requirements.
Summary of the Document
This closed meeting is a regular part of the process used by governmental bodies to assess grant proposals. Such meetings typically involve detailed discussions about the capabilities, goals, and contexts of competing applications. The document provides essential details such as the time and purpose of the meeting, and the contact information for the relevant Scientific Review Officer, Patrick Colby Still, Ph.D.
Significant Issues or Concerns
A few areas in the document may raise concerns or warrant further clarification:
Lack of Specific Details on Grant Applications: The notice does not divulge which grant applications are being considered or the criteria upon which they will be assessed. This could raise questions about transparency and accountability in government-funded initiatives.
Confidentiality Assurance: Although the document states that the meeting is private to prevent the disclosure of confidential trade secrets and personal information, it does not detail the measures in place to ensure such confidentiality. This could be crucial for stakeholders concerned about the protection of sensitive information.
Complexity of Legal References: Legal citations such as sections 552b(c)(4) and 552b(c)(6), Title 5 U.S.C., are included without explanation, which could be challenging for those unfamiliar with legal jargon or the implications of these sections concerning public meeting closures.
Impact on the General Public
For the general public, the impact of this notice is minimal in the immediate term since the meeting is closed and deals with the internal processes of grant application review. However, the outcomes of such reviews, in broader terms, can significantly advance public knowledge and development in the field of complementary and alternative medicine.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
Applicants and Researchers: For applicants whose submissions are being reviewed, the outcome of this meeting is crucial. It affects their potential to receive government funding for research, which can be pivotal for future studies and advancements in their respective areas of work.
Transparency Advocates: There may be a concern about the lack of transparency regarding the criteria and nature of the discussions held at such closed meetings. Advocates for open government procedures might view this as a shortfall in openness, which is an ongoing discourse in government-related activities.
In conclusion, while the notice of this closed meeting aligns with practices meant to protect sensitive information, it doesn't provide substantial transparency or details about the process, potentially limiting public understanding and engagement with federal decision-making in complementary health research.
Issues
• The document does not provide detailed information about the specific grant applications or the criteria for evaluation, which may raise concerns about transparency.
• The document mentions that the meeting will be closed to the public due to the potential disclosure of confidential information, but it does not specify how confidentiality will be ensured.
• The language regarding the meeting being closed may seem vague to some, as it could benefit from a more detailed explanation about the confidentiality and privacy requirements necessitating closure.
• Some readers might find the legal citations (e.g., sections 552b(c)(4) and 552b(c)(6), Title 5 U.S.C.) complex or difficult to understand without further context or explanation about their implications.