FR 2025-04221

The document in question is a notice about a future meeting organized by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), a part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The meeting is scheduled for April 4, 2025, and its primary purpose is to review and evaluate grant applications in the field of physical sciences oncology.

Overview of the Notice

The notice specifies that the meeting will be held virtually, running from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and will be closed to the public. This decision to hold a closed meeting complies with certain sections of United States Code Title 5, which allow for such closures to protect confidential information and personal privacy. The contact person listed for the meeting is Saejeong J. Kim, Ph.D., who can be reached at the National Cancer Institute in Rockville, Maryland.

Significant Issues and Concerns

There are a couple of noteworthy issues within the document:

1. Confidentiality in a Virtual Setting: While the document states that the meeting will be closed to the public to safeguard confidentiality, it does not elaborate on the specific measures that will be in place to ensure this confidentiality in a virtual meeting format. This absence of detail could lead to concerns about the effectiveness of security protocols used during the meeting.

2. Transparency in Selection Process: The document lacks information about the criteria used to select the grant applications that will be reviewed. This omission could raise questions about transparency and fairness in the selection process. Stakeholders might be interested in understanding how applications are prioritized and evaluated.

Impact on the Public

The general public might be marginally impacted by this notice. Since the meeting is closed, the general population won't have direct access to the discussions and deliberations. However, outcomes from these meetings could indirectly influence public interest areas, such as advancements in cancer treatment and research breakthroughs, which ultimately benefit society as a whole.

Impact on Specific Stakeholders

• Research Community: Researchers and institutions that have submitted grant applications will be directly affected. The lack of transparency around the selection criteria could be a source of anxiety or frustration among applicants who may desire more clarity concerning how their proposals are evaluated.

• Cancer Patients and Advocates: Stakeholders such as cancer patients, advocacy groups, and health professionals might be keenly interested in the outcomes of these grant applications. Research supported by the NCI could lead to significant advancements in understanding and treating cancer, with profound implications for these groups.

In conclusion, while the National Cancer Institute's initiative to review and evaluate grants in physical sciences oncology is undoubtedly an essential step toward advancing cancer research, the lack of detailed information regarding meeting confidentiality measures and selection criteria may prompt concerns about transparency and fairness. Addressing these concerns could enhance stakeholder trust and support more robust collaborations within the research community.