FR 2025-04943

The document titled "National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases; Notice of Closed Meeting" informs the public of an upcoming closed meeting scheduled for April 17, 2025. This meeting, held by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), is designated to review and evaluate grant applications, particularly focusing on the HIV/AIDS Scholars Using Nonhuman Primate Models Program. The session will take place at the National Institutes of Health in Rockville, Maryland and will be assisted by video conference facilities.

General Summary

This notice provides key details about the meeting, including its time, purpose, and location. It specifies that the meeting will be closed to the public to protect sensitive information such as trade secrets and personal data. The contact person for the meeting is listed as Dr. Shiv A Prasad, and additional reference is made to catalog numbers corresponding to relevant federal assistance programs.

Significant Issues or Concerns

There are notable issues within the document that could affect its clarity and accessibility to the general public:

• Lack of Abstract: The document does not include an abstract. An abstract provides a concise summary and helps readers quickly grasp the main purpose or content of the notice.

• Legal References: The notice cites specific provisions of the US Code (sections 552b(c)(4) and 552b(c)(6), Title 5) to justify the meeting's closed nature. These legal references might not be easy to understand for readers without legal backgrounds. Offering a general explanation of these provisions would enhance comprehension.

• Rationale for Closed Session: While the reasoning for closing the meeting is partly described, it might be more beneficial to expand on how maintaining confidentiality serves the broad public interest.

• Contact Information: Although contact information is provided, guidelines or preferences for communication (such as business hours) are absent. Adding such information could improve communication efficiency.

Impact on the Public

Broadly, this document impacts the public by signaling transparency and accountability in the decision-making processes of a federal health agency. However, by holding the meeting closed to the public, there may be perceived limitations on transparency, despite the justification based on protecting sensitive information.

Impact on Specific Stakeholders

For stakeholders such as researchers and applicants involved with grant applications, this meeting bears substantial significance. It directly pertains to the assessment of their work and future funding, impacting their ongoing and prospective research activities. While the closed nature of the meeting safeguards proprietary and personal data, it may also raise concerns about access to decision-making processes.

In conclusion, while the document serves its purpose of notifying relevant parties about the closed meeting, improvements in clarity and detail could make it more accessible and understandable to the general populace, thereby enhancing public trust and stakeholder engagement.