Overview
Title
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases; Notice of Closed Meetings
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases is having two secret meetings to look at special requests for money to do science projects, and they are secret to keep important information safe and private. These meetings will happen on the computer, and people will talk about them from a special place, even though nobody is going there in person.
Summary AI
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases is announcing two closed meetings to review grant applications. These meetings are organized under sections 552b(c)(4) and 552b(c)(6) to protect confidential and personal information. The first meeting, focusing on a research education program, is scheduled for April 22, 2025, from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and will be conducted as a video-assisted meeting. The second meeting, related to AIDS Research Centers, will take place on April 28, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and will be a virtual meeting. All discussions will take place at the NIH facility in Rockville, Maryland.
Keywords AI
Sources
AnalysisAI
The document from the Federal Register announces two upcoming closed meetings by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the Health and Human Services Department within the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Scheduled for April 2025, these meetings aim to review and evaluate grant applications concerning specific research programs. Both meetings are categorized under strict confidentiality rules as set by federal guidelines, which limits public access to protect sensitive information.
General Summary
The meetings are scheduled as follows:
NIAID Research Education Program - This meeting will be held on April 22, 2025, from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. It will occur via a video-assisted format.
Revision Applications of Existing NIH Centers for AIDS Research - Scheduled for April 28, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., this meeting will be conducted entirely virtually.
Both meetings will take place at the NIH facilities located in Rockville, Maryland, though participants will access them remotely. The purpose of these gatherings is to thoroughly examine grant applications that have the potential to contribute significantly to health research.
Significant Issues or Concerns
Several concerns arise from the document:
Transparency: While the notice refers to federal regulations that justify closing the meetings to the public, there is limited explanation beyond referencing the protection of confidential information. This lack of detailed explanation may not satisfy those interested in the proceedings' transparency.
Confusing Location Details: Even though the meetings are virtual or video-assisted, the notice lists a specific physical address in Rockville, Maryland. This repeated mention might mislead the uninformed reader about the necessity of a physical presence or venue.
Program Codes Without Context: The document includes specific codes (93.855 and 93.856) from the Catalogue of Federal Domestic Assistance Program which may confuse readers unfamiliar with government funding terminology.
Formatting of Contact Information: The email address of the contact person is formatted with an asterisk, potentially leading to misunderstandings about whether this is part of the address.
Impact on the Public
Overall, the impact on the general public is minimal, as the meetings are closed and specifically focused on scientific and health research funding. However, these gatherings are vital for advancing research that can significantly influence public health policies and outcomes.
Impact on Stakeholders
For stakeholders, particularly those involved in health and scientific research, the outcomes of these meetings may be significant. Successful grant applications could lead to essential advancements in allergy and infectious disease research, directly affecting researchers and institutions involved. Furthermore, individuals or organizations that are part of the grant applications being reviewed have a vested interest in these meetings but are unable to observe the discussions, highlighting a potential lack of inclusivity and involvement in federal funding decisions.
In conclusion, while the document pertains to routine federal administrative procedures concerning health research funding, it raises broader questions about transparency and accessibility in government operations. Such developments are crucial for ensuring that federal funds are effectively allocated to propel public health objectives.
Issues
• The document does not provide a detailed explanation of why the meetings are closed beyond referring to potential disclosure of confidential information, which could be seen as lacking transparency.
• The repeated reference to specific location Address 'Room 3D54, Rockville, MD' despite the meetings being virtual or video assist, could be confusing.
• The document includes specific codes (93.855, 93.856) without context for readers unfamiliar with the Catalogue of Federal Domestic Assistance Program.
• Contact person's email is formatted with an asterisk, which could lead to confusion or misinterpretation as to whether it is part of the email address.