FR 2025-05066

The Federal Register notice informs the public about a closed meeting being organized by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. This meeting, concerning the Kidney, Urologic, and Hematologic Diseases D Study Section, is scheduled to be held virtually from June 24 to June 26, 2025. The primary objective is to review and evaluate grant applications. The meeting is closed to the public to protect sensitive and confidential information, including trade secrets and personal details.

Summary of the Document

The notice specifies that the meeting will focus on grant applications within specific health domains, particularly diabetes, digestive diseases, and kidney-related research. It includes detailed logistical information, such as the meeting's virtual format and contact details for the Scientific Review Officer responsible for organizing the session.

Significant Issues and Concerns

Several issues are apparent from the notice:

1. Closed Meeting Justification: The document cites sections 552b(c)(4) and 552b(c)(6) as the legal grounds for closing the meeting but does not elaborate on why these specific exceptions apply. This could leave readers wondering about the specific nature of the information deemed confidential.

2. Catalog Numbers Without Context: The notice lists catalog numbers related to federal assistance programs without providing context or explanation. This could be confusing to those unfamiliar with these designations, reducing the notice's accessibility.

3. Ambiguous Meeting Time: The notice indicates the meeting time as "5 p.m. to 5 p.m.," which is ambiguous. This phrasing might imply a continuous 24-hour duration, which could be misleading or unclear to those interested in the schedule.

4. Vague Agenda Description: The agenda is described simply as "To review and evaluate grant applications." This lack of detail does not provide potential stakeholders or interested parties with clear insights into the specific topics or issues that will be addressed during the meeting.

5. Privacy Concerns in Contact Information: The inclusion of the contact person’s phone number and email may raise privacy concerns. While common in such notices, this information may be seen as unnecessary exposure of personal information.

Impact on the Public

Broadly, this notice impacts researchers and institutions focused on diabetes, digestive issues, and kidney diseases. For these groups, the meeting could influence funding opportunities and the direction of future research projects. Although the meeting is closed, awareness of such sessions is critical for stakeholders who depend on grants and federal support for research advancements.

Impact on Specific Stakeholders

For applicants involved, the closed nature of the meeting ensures the confidentiality of potentially sensitive or proprietary information in their applications. This protection is critical for fostering a competitive yet secure research environment.

However, the general public, possibly interested in transparency or outcomes from federal grant allocations, may feel excluded due to the meeting's closed status. This could foster a sentiment of opacity regarding how funding decisions are made, especially if outcomes or selections are not subsequently reported or explained to the public.

In summary, while essential for ensuring confidentiality in confidential federal review processes, the notice could benefit from clearer explanations and more detailed context to aid public understanding and engagement.