Overview
Title
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Notice of Closed Meeting
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism is having an online meeting on April 17, 2025, to talk about some secret things and who should get money to study alcohol topics, but they can't let anyone join because they need to keep it a secret to protect personal and important information.
Summary AI
The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism announced a closed meeting of its advisory council, scheduled for April 17, 2025. The meeting, which will be held virtually, aims to discuss the AABSC report and review grant applications. The session will not be open to the public to protect confidential information and personal privacy. Further details and agenda updates will be published on their official website.
Keywords AI
Sources
AnalysisAI
The document is a notice from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), a part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), announcing a closed meeting of their advisory council on April 17, 2025. The meeting is to be held virtually and will focus on two main agenda items: the "Presentation of the AABSC Report" and the review of grant applications. This notice follows legal guidelines that allow certain meetings to be closed to the public if sensitive information, such as trade secrets or personal data, is discussed.
General Summary
The primary purpose of this document is to inform the public that the upcoming meeting of the National Advisory Council on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism will not be open to public attendance. The meeting is scheduled to take place virtually, indicating the continued use of digital platforms for official business. The notice provides contact details for Philippe Marmillot, Ph.D., the Executive Secretary of the council, for any inquiries.
Significant Issues or Concerns
Several issues arise from the document:
Lack of Specificity on Closed Sessions: The notice provides general legal reasons for closing the meeting, primarily to protect confidential information and personal privacy. However, it does not specify the exact nature of the sensitive information to be discussed.
Unexplained Acronyms: The acronym "AABSC Report" is mentioned without explanation, which might confuse readers unfamiliar with this terminology.
Absence of Detailed Information: The document does not reveal which grant applications or projects will be reviewed, potentially raising transparency concerns among stakeholders interested in the grant allocation process.
Public Impact
The broader public might be concerned about the lack of transparency resulting from closed meetings, especially when public funds are involved, as is the case with NIH grants. While the protection of sensitive information is vital, it might lead to skepticism among those who believe in transparent governance.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
Researchers and Institutions: Those who have submitted grant applications to NIAAA may have a vested interest in the outcomes of this meeting. The closed nature might mean applicants have to wait longer for indirect results or decisions regarding their submissions.
Public Advocacy Groups: Organizations that advocate for transparency in government operations may view the closed meeting as a barrier to openness, particularly in how public funds are handled.
Government and Industry: For government and industry stakeholders, the meeting might include discussions of innovative research or development projects protected by confidentiality. The closed meeting ensures that proprietary or patentable information remains secure.
In conclusion, while the need to close certain meetings is understandable to protect confidential information, providing clearer explanations and broad context can help mitigate public concerns about transparency and inclusivity in such governmental processes.
Issues
• The notice does not provide specific reasons for why this meeting must be closed to the public beyond general references to confidentiality and privacy concerns.
• The document mentions a 'Presentation of the AABSC Report' in the agenda at 11:00 a.m., but does not provide any information about what the AABSC Report is or its relevance.
• The document includes the phrase 'the discussions could disclose confidential trade secrets or commercial property such as patentable material, and personal information,' but does not clarify the nature of the confidential information to be discussed.
• The use of acronyms such as 'AABSC' without explanation may be unclear or ambiguous to readers not familiar with the terms.
• The document lacks specific information about which grant applications or projects will be reviewed, potentially causing concerns about transparency.