FR 2025-00109

The Federal Register notice pertains to a closed meeting being held by the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD). Scheduled for February 14, 2025, the gathering is intended to review and evaluate grant applications related to voice, speech, and language. The meeting will be conducted virtually and overseen by Scientific Review Officer Sonia Elena Nanescu. It is important to note that, consistent with federal regulations, the meeting will not be open to the public due to the sensitive nature of the discussions, which may reveal confidential trade secrets or private personal information.

General Summary

The document serves as a formal notification regarding an upcoming closed meeting. The purpose of the meeting is to evaluate grant applications submitted to NIDCD, focusing on areas such as voice, speech, and language. The meeting is conducted in a virtual format, allowing the participation of committee members remotely. The document provides essential information about the meeting, including the time, date, and contact details for inquiries.

Significant Issues and Concerns

One of the primary concerns is the lack of detailed justification for the meeting's closure to the public. The document cites general provisions concerning confidential information but does not provide a specific explanation for each legal reference. This might leave the public lacking clarity on why the meeting cannot accommodate observers.

Another issue is the limited information about the specific agenda items. While the general topic of grant evaluation is outlined, the importance and potential impact of these evaluations are not discussed. This lack of detail can contribute to a sense of opaqueness for those not directly involved.

Public Impact

For the general public, the main impact of this document lies in its implication that certain information cannot be freely accessed due to its confidential nature. While individuals interested in the workings of the NIDCD might find the content of this meeting relevant, the closure implies restricted transparency, potentially leaving those with an interest in the outcomes without substantial insights.

Impact on Specific Stakeholders

For stakeholders directly involved in the grant applications, such as applicants, researchers, and associated institutions, the meeting is crucial. It represents a critical step in the funding process, capable of influencing future research and development in communicative disorders. However, the closed nature of the meeting means these stakeholders might not have direct access to deliberations, potentially creating a barrier to understanding how decisions are made.

Overall, while the document communicates essential details about the meeting, it raises questions about transparency and how open such processes are to public scrutiny. Stakeholders affected by the outcomes of these meetings may need to rely on post-meeting disclosures from NIDCD or follow up with the provided contact to seek further information.