[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 178 (Thursday, September 15, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Page 54604]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-18289]



[[Page 54604]]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS


Joint Biomedical Laboratory Research and Development and Clinical 
Science Research and Development Services Scientific Merit Review 
Board; Notice of Meetings

    The Department of Veterans Affairs gives notice under the Public 
Law 92-463 (Federal Advisory Committee Act) that subcommittees of the 
Joint Biomedical Laboratory Research and Development and Clinical 
Science Research and Development Services Scientific Merit Review Board 
will meet from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. as indicated below.

Gulf War Research A--September 16, 2005, State Plaza Hotel, 2117 E 
Street, NW., Washington, DC
Gulf War Research B--September 30, 2005, Churchill Hotel, 1914 
Connecticut Avenue, NW., Washington, DC

    The purpose of the Board is to provide expert review on the 
scientific quality, budget, safety and mission relevance of 
investigator-initiated research proposals submitted for merit review 
consideration and to provide advice on research program priorities and 
policies. Proposals submitted for review by the Board involve a wide 
range of medical specialties within the general areas of biomedical, 
behavioral and clinic science research. The meeting noted above will 
focus on proposals submitted in response to Request for Proposals 
Directed to Understanding Illnesses Affecting Gulf War Veterans.
    The meetings will be open to the public for approximately thirty 
minutes at the start of each meeting to discuss the general status of 
the program. The remaining portion of each meeting will be closed to 
the public for the review, discussion, and evaluation of initial and 
renewal projects.
    The closed portion of the meetings involves discussion, 
examination, reference to staff and consultant critiques of research 
protocols. During this portion of the meetings, discussion and 
recommendations will deal with qualifications of personnel conducting 
the studies, the disclosure of which would constitute a clearly 
unwarranted invasion of personal privacy, as well as research 
information, the premature disclosure of which could significantly 
frustrate implementation of proposed agency action regarding such 
research projects.
    As provided by subsection 10(d) of Public Law 92-463, as amended, 
closing portions of these meetings is in accordance with 5 U.S.C., 
552b(c) (6) and (9)(B). Those who plan to attend or would like to 
obtain a copy of minutes of the meetings should contact William J. 
Goldberg, Ph.D., Department of Veterans Affairs (121E), 810 Vermont 
Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20420 at (202) 254-0294.

    Dated: September 9, 2005.

    By direction of the Secretary.
E. Philip Riggin,
Committee Management Officer.
[FR Doc. 05-18289 Filed 9-14-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8320-01-M