Overview
Title
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases; Notice of Closed Meeting
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases is having a secret phone meeting on February 23, 2021, to talk about giving money for science projects on things like diabetes; they can't let just anyone listen because they're talking about private stuff.
Summary AI
The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) announced a meeting scheduled for February 23, 2021. This meeting will be conducted over the phone and is closed to the public because it will involve discussions that could reveal confidential information or personal details related to grant applications. The committee aims to review and evaluate applications for research funding in areas such as diabetes, digestive diseases, and kidney disorders. The notice was published on short notice due to the timing of the review process.
Keywords AI
Sources
AnalysisAI
The document from the Federal Register is a notice from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases informing the public about a scheduled meeting. This session is set to take place over the phone on February 23, 2021, and will be closed to the public. Specifically, the meeting will focus on reviewing and evaluating grant applications related to diabetes, digestive diseases, and kidney disorders.
Summary of the Document
In essence, this document serves as an official announcement for a meeting organized by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. The notice complies with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, which dictates how such meetings should be managed. It emphasizes the sensitive nature of the information to be discussed, which includes confidential trade secrets, commercial information, and personal details tied to the grant applications.
Significant Issues and Concerns
Several issues arise from this notice:
Short Notice: A primary concern is that the notice was published less than 15 days before the meeting. This short timeframe may raise questions about sufficient public notice and transparency, as individuals or groups with interests in the meeting may not have adequate time to prepare or respond.
Closed Meeting: The decision to close the meeting to the public is rooted in protecting sensitive information relating to trade secrets and personal privacy. While this is legally tenable, it might limit public oversight and understanding of the grant awarding process, raising concerns about transparency and accountability.
Privacy Concerns: There is an inclusion of contact information for Elena Sanovich, Ph.D., which encompasses a direct phone number and email address. While this can facilitate communication, it may also pose privacy concerns depending on how this information is managed or used.
Complex Legal References: The document refers to specific sections of legal statutes (e.g., sections 552b(c)(4) and 552b(c)(6), Title 5 U.S.C.) which might not be readily understood by the general public. The technical language and references could hinder comprehension for those without a legal background.
Impact on the Public
This document underscores a procedural aspect of government transparency and the bureaucratic process, impacting the public by illustrating how certain decisions are undertaken by federal entities. The lack of public access to the meeting itself might lead to concerns about transparency, causing dissatisfaction among stakeholders wishing for more visibility into governmental operations.
Stakeholder Impact
For stakeholders directly involved in diabetes, digestive diseases, and kidney disorders research, this meeting represents a significant opportunity, as it could lead to funding or support for their initiatives. However, the closed session might be seen as a lack of direct involvement or insight into how decisions are made, potentially leading to skepticism.
Overall, while the notice serves a critical purpose in outlining procedural adherence and protecting sensitive information, it invites questions around transparency and accessibility for the public, balancing public interest with confidentiality protocols in governmental operations.
Issues
• The notice was published less than 15 days prior to the meeting, as noted, due to timing limitations, which might raise concerns about adequate public notice or transparency.
• The document mentions the meeting will review and evaluate grant applications in a closed session due to potential disclosure of 'confidential trade secrets or commercial property,' which may limit public oversight of grant awarding processes.
• The contact information, including the phone number and email of the Scientific Review Officer, might be considered private and does not always need to be publicly disclosed.
• The document uses specific legal references (sections 552b(c)(4) and 552b(c)(6), Title 5 U.S.C.) that may not be immediately clear to a layperson, potentially making the notice less accessible to the general public.