FR 2025-04827

The document is an official notice about a closed meeting of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). It appears in the Federal Register and provides essential details about the meeting, which is scheduled for June 11-13, 2025. This meeting will discuss grant applications related to digestive diseases and nutrition. Due to the sensitive nature of the agenda, which involves confidential trade secrets and personal information, the meeting will be held privately. The meeting will occur virtually, and Peter J. Kozel, Ph.D., has been listed as the contact person for any inquiries.

General Summary

The notice serves as an announcement of a meeting organized by the NIDDK, specifically its Digestive Diseases and Nutrition C Study Section. The purpose of this meeting is to review and evaluate grant applications that pertain to initiatives in digestive diseases and nutrition. It is scheduled to take place over three days in June, and due to the confidential information involved, it will be closed to the public and conducted virtually.

Significant Issues and Concerns

Several significant issues arise from the notice. Primarily, the meeting's closure is justified by references to specific legal codes (Title 5, U.S.C., sections 552b(c)(4) and 552b(c)(6)), highlighting the need to protect confidential information. However, the notice does not elaborate on the specific types of information deemed confidential, which could lead to concerns about transparency and accountability. Moreover, the references to legal statutes might be confusing for individuals unfamiliar with legal jargon, potentially obscuring understanding for a general audience.

Additionally, the notice mentions billing codes and references specific Catalogue of Federal Domestic Assistance Program numbers. Yet, it fails to clarify how these references relate to the content or objectives of the meeting. This lack of context could cause confusion about the meeting's broader implications.

Impact on the Public

For the general public, the document indicates that certain governmental processes involving federal funding allocations for research are conducted behind closed doors to protect sensitive information. While such closures are legally permissible, they may contribute to a perception of non-transparency in public sector operations. The lack of detailed reasoning for the meeting's confidentiality might impede public trust in the decision-making processes of government agencies.

Impact on Specific Stakeholders

For researchers and institutions involved in digestive diseases and nutrition, this notice is crucial as it pertains directly to grant applications that could fund their work. The closure of the meeting means that these stakeholders cannot participate in or observe the evaluation proceedings, possibly leading to questions about the fairness and thoroughness of the process.

Conversely, the protection of confidential information within these meetings is beneficial to stakeholders looking to protect their intellectual property and sensitive data. Ensuring the confidentiality of trade secrets and personal information is vital to maintaining the trust and participation of individuals and organizations in the federal grant application process. This confidentiality helps protect the interests of applicants against unwarranted exposure or potential exploitation of their proprietary research.

In summary, while the document reveals essential information about an upcoming closed meeting, its opacity regarding the necessity of confidentiality and connections between the meeting's agenda and federal assistance programs comes with concerns about transparency and public accountability.