FR 2025-06259

The notice from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), announces a closed meeting scheduled for May 8, 2025. This meeting will occur virtually from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and will focus on reviewing and evaluating grant applications related to what are termed time-sensitive research opportunities in environmental health sciences.

General Summary

This meeting is part of NIH's ongoing efforts to provide funding for research that addresses urgent issues in the environmental health sciences. One notable aspect of this meeting is its closed status, meaning that it is not open to the public. The reason for this confidentiality is to protect sensitive information that might include trade secrets, patentable materials, or personal data associated with the grant applications.

Significant Issues and Concerns

The document, while clear in its intent to protect confidential information, could benefit from a more detailed explanation. This would include what kinds of information specifically constitute "trade secrets" or "personal information." Such elaboration might help demystify the reasons behind the meeting’s closed status for the non-expert reader.

Additionally, the document references sections of the U.S. Code as justification for the closed meeting, though these legal references are not explained. This ambiguity could be problematic for those unfamiliar with legal jargon, leaving them without a clear understanding of the governing rules and regulations.

Furthermore, there is a potential typographical error or formatting issue within the text: the contact email address for Dr. Leroy Worth contains an asterisk, which might confuse those attempting to reach out to the committee for further information.

Impact on the Public

For the general public, the primary impact of this notice is indirect. Understanding the mechanisms by which grants are reviewed and potentially awarded can increase transparency regarding how public funds are allocated towards scientific research. However, the closed nature of the meeting does limit public insight into specific discussions and decisions.

Impact on Specific Stakeholders

From the perspective of applicants and stakeholders directly involved in the research funding process, this meeting represents a critical stage in securing necessary support for their projects. For scientists and researchers, it affirms that their confidential data and potentially commercially valuable information are being handled with care. However, applicants who are dealing with new, potentially patentable material must trust the process will secure their research advantages while maintaining confidentiality.

In conclusion, while the notice is comprehensive in informing about the planned meeting, limited explanations regarding closed-meeting statutes and confidentiality issues may restrict complete public comprehension. Providing additional context and correcting potential formatting errors could improve understanding and accessibility for a broader audience, ultimately fostering greater trust in these procedural aspects of scientific research funding.