FR 2021-02495

The document under examination is a notice from the National Institute on Drug Abuse, part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, regarding two upcoming meetings that will be closed to the public. These meetings are part of a regular process where grant applications are reviewed and evaluated by special emphasis panels. The first meeting, to be held on February 26, 2021, will concentrate on innovative device-based treatments for substance use disorders. The second, scheduled for March 3, 2021, will focus on advancing HIV/AIDS research through computational neuroscience. Both meetings will be virtual, taking place at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland.

General Summary

This notice is an announcement about the closure of meetings intended to discuss confidential grant applications. Such closed meetings are common when sensitive material, such as trade secrets or personal information, is disclosed. The document specifies the date, time, and context of each meeting, along with contact information for individuals managing these meetings.

Significant Issues or Concerns

1. Lack of Detailed Justification: While the meetings are closed for confidentiality reasons as permitted under federal law, the document provides only a generic justification for this closure. For transparency purposes, it would be beneficial to offer more detailed explanations about the necessity of confidentiality in this context.

2. Privacy of Contact Information: The inclusion of specific contact details for committee officers, such as emails and phone numbers, raises privacy and potential spam risks. Although such information is intended to offer a point of contact for further inquiries, it can be misused if publicly accessible.

3. Complex Legal References: The document mentions specific sections of the U.S. Code (Title 5 U.S.C.) without providing a summary or explanation of these legal sections. This can make it challenging for individuals without a legal background to fully understand why the meetings can rightfully be closed to the public.

4. Federal Assistance Program Numbers: The document lists program numbers pertaining to federal assistance but does not explain their context or significance. This could be confusing for readers not familiar with the federal assistance numbering system.

Impact on the Public

For the general public, the document signifies a typical government procedural notice with minimal direct impact. The closed nature of the meetings may raise concerns among those interested in the outcomes of the grant applications, especially communities involved in substance use disorder treatments and HIV/AIDS research. However, the protected confidentiality ensures that sensitive information related to individuals and potentially patentable intellectual property remains secure.

Impact on Stakeholders

Positively: Stakeholders in the scientific and medical research communities may benefit from such closed meetings, as they allow for honest discussions that could lead to significant advancements in public health issues like substance use disorder and HIV/AIDS. Securing proprietary information might facilitate innovation without the risk of premature public disclosure.

Negatively: Conversely, groups advocating for transparency and public involvement in government-funded research might view these closed meetings as a barrier to accountability and open dialogue. Stakeholders and community members that are invested in the grant topics could feel excluded from contributing to or understanding pivotal discussions that influence public health research directions and funding.

In conclusion, while the notice effectively informs about the procedural handling of sensitive information in federal research initiatives, it begs for more clarity and contextual explanations to foster greater public understanding and trust.