FR 2021-02496

The document is a notice from the Federal Register regarding a closed meeting conducted by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). The meeting is scheduled for March 1-2, 2021, and will take place virtually at the Neuroscience Center in Rockville, Maryland. The purpose of this meeting is to review and evaluate cooperative agreement applications relevant to the fields of neurological sciences and devices aimed at pain relief and neural, brain, and spinal disorders.

General Summary

The notice informs the public that the meeting will be closed, citing sections of the U.S. Code that protect confidential information and personal data. Specifically, it mentions that discussions may involve confidential trade secrets or personal information from grant applications, which justifies the decision to close the meeting to public participation. This is standard practice for meetings involving sensitive material that could impact privacy and commercial interests.

Significant Issues and Concerns

There are a few issues with the document that may leave the reader with unanswered questions:

• Confidentiality Justification: The document references statutory provisions for confidentiality but lacks specific examples or elaboration on what types of data or information might be protected. This could make it difficult for readers to fully understand why the meeting must be closed.

• Implications of the Meeting: The document does not detail the potential outcomes or significance of the meeting. This makes it unclear to the public why this meeting is important, beyond the fact that it involves grant evaluations.

• Contact and Participation Limitations: Although contact details for the Scientific Review Officer are provided, the notice does not clarify whether public inquiries are encouraged or how they might be handled. This may lead to confusion for those interested in more information.

• Complex Terms: The text uses specialized terminology such as "trade secrets" and "patentable material" without defining these terms in layman's terms, which might be confusing for those without a legal or scientific background.

• Federal Assistance Programs: The mention of federal assistance program numbers without explanation of their relevance leaves readers questioning their connection to the meeting's agenda.

Broad Public Impact

For the general public, the most immediate impact of this notice lies in the confidentiality and the nature of the meeting's discussions. While such meetings are often a necessary part of grant and funding processes, the lack of openness may lead to questions about transparency. The decisions made could influence research directions and funding priorities in neurological science, indirectly affecting public health advancements and innovations in medical treatments.

Impact on Specific Stakeholders

For researchers and institutions involved in neurological disorders and associated technologies, this meeting could be crucial. The review and evaluation process can determine funding allocations which, in turn, can affect their research progress and innovation capabilities. Institutions submitting grant applications are directly impacted; the closed nature of the meeting also assures them that their proprietary or sensitive information will remain confidential. Conversely, stakeholders advocating for transparency in government-funded research may view the closed setting as a negative, seeing it as a barrier to accountability and public oversight.

In conclusion, while the notice fulfills legal requirements for public posting, a more comprehensive explanation regarding the necessity and significance of the meeting could enhance public understanding and engagement.