Overview
Title
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders; Notice of Closed Meetings
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders is having two secret online meetings to talk about who should get special money for projects. They need to keep these talks secret to protect important information, like trade secrets or people's private details.
Summary AI
The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders announced two closed virtual meetings to review and evaluate grant applications. These meetings will take place on April 2 and April 4, 2025, at the National Institutes of Health in Rockville, Maryland. The discussions will be private because they might reveal confidential information such as trade secrets, commercial property, or personal details that could invade privacy. The meetings are part of the Federal Advisory Committee and will be conducted under the guidance of the respective Scientific Review Officers, Dr. Kausik Ray and Dr. Andrea B. Kelly.
Keywords AI
Sources
AnalysisAI
The document under consideration is a notice regarding two closed meetings organized by the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), a part of the National Institutes of Health. These meetings, scheduled for April 2 and April 4, 2025, will focus on reviewing and evaluating grant applications related to hearing, balance, and small business ventures in communicative disorders. The notice stipulates that the meetings will remain closed to the public to protect confidential information.
General Summary
This notice informs the public about two upcoming closed meetings arranged by NIDCD. Both meetings are planned to be virtual and intend to review grant applications that may contain trade secrets or sensitive personal information. As is customary in such reviews, discussions are conducted in private to ensure that proprietary and personal data are not publicly disclosed. The meetings will be facilitated by Dr. Kausik Ray and Dr. Andrea B. Kelly, who are designated as Scientific Review Officers.
Significant Issues or Concerns
The primary concern raised by this document is the emphasis on confidentiality. Closed meetings are necessary for ensuring that sensitive information, including potential trade secrets or patentable content within grant applications, is safeguarded. There is a balance to be maintained between transparency in governmental procedures and the privacy of intellectual property and personal data.
Impact on the Public
For the general public, the direct impact of these meetings might appear minimal, as they concern the internal processes of evaluating grant applications. However, in a broader context, the work resulting from these grants potentially influences advances in understanding and treating communication disorders, which can ultimately benefit many individuals suffering from such conditions.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
Specific stakeholders, including applicants for the discussed grants, would be significantly affected by the outcomes of these meetings. The decisions made can influence the direction of research and development in the field of communicative disorders. Small businesses and researchers involved in such work could receive crucial funding and support, enhancing their capacity to innovate and deliver valuable health solutions. Conversely, the closed nature of the meetings might lead to concerns regarding transparency and fairness in the review process.
In conclusion, while this notice of closed meetings primarily concerns procedural aspects of grant evaluation, it has broader implications for research and innovation in the field of communicative disorders. The outcomes from such deliberations have the potential to drive scientific advancement, ultimately benefiting those with hearing and communicative issues. Maintaining confidentiality is critical to protect sensitive information, though it must be balanced with transparency to ensure trust in the evaluation process.