Search Results for keywords:"conflicts of interest"

The National Institutes of Health announced in the Federal Register that several meetings will be held to review grant applications. These meetings are organized by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences. The meetings will take place in April 2025 and will be held virtually. They will involve discussions that are closed to the public to protect confidential and private information.

The Securities and Exchange Commission approved new rule changes proposed by the National Securities Clearing Corporation, The Depository Trust Company, and Fixed Income Clearing Corporation. These changes revolve around enhancing governance and reducing conflicts of interest within these organizations, ensuring directors and senior managers adhere to specified regulations. The approved framework includes mechanisms to manage conflicts of interest, risks from service providers, and to actively involve stakeholders in key decision-making processes related to risk management and operations. Ultimately, these changes aim to improve transparency and accountability in the operations of these financial clearing agencies.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is seeking public feedback on extending a rule that helps prevent conflicts of interest for people working with investment companies. Rule 17j-1 requires those affiliated with investment companies to follow a code of ethics that ensures their personal investments do not conflict with the company's activities. This rule mandates reports on personal securities transactions and record-keeping to detect any potential violations. The SEC estimates around 84,567 people are affected by this rule, leading to annual costs of approximately $4.68 million for compliance. Comments are invited on the necessity and impact of these reporting requirements.

The Department of Defense (DoD) has renewed the charter for its Medicare-Eligible Retiree Health Care Board of Actuaries (MERHC BoA). This board provides independent advice on actuarial matters related to the DoD's Retiree Health Care Fund. It consists of three members, who serve without representing any particular viewpoint, and report on the Fund's status to top defense officials, the President, and Congress. Members are respected actuaries appointed for staggered terms and can be compensated for their service.

The National Institutes of Health announced several closed committee meetings via the Federal Register notice. These meetings will focus on reviewing and evaluating grant applications. Due to potential confidential information, such as trade secrets and personal data, the meetings will not be open to the public. The meetings will be held virtually, and each meeting has a designated contact person for further inquiries.

The National Science Foundation (NSF) is planning to hold several proposal review meetings throughout the year. These meetings aim to provide advice on proposals submitted to the NSF for funding and to assess ongoing projects. The meetings will be held at the NSF's headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia, and will not be open to the public due to confidential information being discussed. Information about these meetings, including changes and schedules, will be available on the NSF website, and similar notices will be published quarterly.

The National Science Board's Committee on Oversight has scheduled a teleconference for February 10, 2021, from 1:00-2:00 p.m. EST, to conduct Board business. The meeting is open to the public and will be held via teleconference through the National Science Foundation. The agenda includes opening remarks, a presentation on merit review analysis, a review of two proposed NSB policies, and a discussion about NSF-funded graduate students' careers. Interested individuals should contact Ann Bushmiller for more information or to listen in.

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) is seeking nominations for individuals to become members of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF). Nominees should have expertise in areas like research evaluation, clinical prevention, and health promotion, and must be free from substantial conflicts of interest. Nominations must be submitted online by March 15, with new members expected to start in January 2026. The USPSTF focuses on making evidence-based recommendations for preventive clinical services and meets three times a year, requiring members to dedicate about 250 hours annually to their duties.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has approved changes proposed by ICE Clear Credit LLC to improve governance practices. The changes involve amending the Governance Playbook and Operating Agreement to create a Nominating Committee. This committee will evaluate the independence and qualifications of individuals being proposed for the board to ensure fair management. These updates aim to meet new regulatory requirements and enhance the organization's governance by minimizing conflicts of interest.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) approved a rule change for the Long-Term Stock Exchange (LTSE) allowing them to offer promotional services and listing ceremonies for companies listed on the exchange. This new rule, known as Rule 14.602, will include services like press releases, articles, and listing ceremonies, which aim to help companies better market themselves when they join the exchange. These offerings are designed to make LTSE more competitive with other major exchanges like NYSE and Nasdaq by attracting more companies to list. The SEC found that the rule change was fair and equitable and does not create unnecessary burdens on competition.