[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 124 (Thursday, June 26, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Page 36377]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-14341]


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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS


Notice of Renewal of Four Federal Advisory Committees

    In compliance with both the Federal Advisory Committee Act (Pub. L. 
92-463) and associated regulations governing the operation of federal 
advisory committees, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) gives 
notice that four federal advisory committees managed by VA are being 
renewed for a period of two years each. The name of each committee is 
provided below, along with a brief description of its principal 
objective(s).
    Clinical Science Research and Development Service Cooperative 
Studies Scientific Evaluation Committee--The Committee's objectives are 
to provide expert advice on VA cooperative studies, multi-site clinical 
research activities, and policies related to conducting and managing 
these efforts. To accomplish its objectives, the Committee reviews 
research proposals and makes recommendations to the Director of the 
Clinical Science Research and Development Service and Chief Research 
and Development Officer on funding and administration of those 
proposals.
    Health Services Research and Development Service Merit Review 
Board--The objective of the Board is to ensure the high quality and 
mission relevance of VA's legislatively mandated research and 
development program. Board members advise the Director of the Health 
Services Research and Development Service and the Chief Research and 
Development Officer on the scientific and technical merit, originality, 
feasibility, and mission relevance of individual research proposals. 
They also advise on the adequacy of protection of human and animal 
subjects and proposed budgets.
    Joint Biomedical Laboratory Research and Development and Clinical 
Science Research and Development Services Scientific Merit Review 
Board--The objectives of the Board are to provide expert review of the 
scientific quality, safety, and mission relevance of investigator-
initiated research proposals submitted for VA merit review 
consideration, and to offer advice on research program priorities and 
policies. The proposals to be reviewed may address research questions 
within the general area of biomedical and behavioral research or 
clinical science research. The Board specifically advises the Directors 
of the Biomedical Laboratory Research and Development Service and the 
Clinical Science Research and Development Service and the Chief 
Research and Development Officer on the administration of VA's 
intramural program.
    Rehabilitation Research and Development Service Scientific Merit 
Review Board--The objective of the Board is to provide for the fair and 
equitable selection of the most meritorious research projects for 
support by VA research funds, and to offer advice on research program 
priorities and policies. The ultimate objective of the Board is to 
ensure that the VA Rehabilitation Research and Development program 
promotes functional independence and improves the quality of life for 
impaired and disabled veterans.

    Dated: June 19, 2008.

    By direction of the Secretary.
E. Philip Riggin,
Committee Management Officer.
[FR Doc. E8-14341 Filed 6-25-08; 8:45 am]
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