[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 151 (Wednesday, August 5, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 47469-47470]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-17092]


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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS


Health Services Research and Development Service Scientific Merit 
Review Board, Notice of Meeting

    The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) gives notice under the 
Federal Advisory Committee Act that a meeting of the Health Services 
Research and Development Service Scientific Merit Review Board will he 
held September 3, 2020, by teleconference. The meeting will be held 
between 12:00 p.m. and end at 1:00 p.m. EST. The meeting will be 
partially closed to the public from 12:15-1:00 p.m. EST for the 
discussion, examination, and reference to the research applications and 
scientific review. Discussions will involve reference to staff and 
consultant critiques of research proposals. Discussions will deal with 
scientific merit of each proposal and qualifications of personnel 
conducting the studies, the disclosure of which would constitute a 
clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy. Additionally, 
premature disclosure of research information could significantly 
obstruct implementation of proposed agency action regarding the 
research proposals. As provided by Public Law 92-463 subsection 10(d), 
as amended by Public Law 94-409, closing the committee meeting is in 
accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552b(c)(6) and (9)(B).
    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 for research program officials on 
program priorities and policies. The ultimate objective of the Board is 
to ensure the high quality and mission relevance of VA's legislatively 
mandated Health Services Research and Development program. Board 
members advise the Director, Health Services Research and Development 
Service and the Chief Research and Development Officer on the 
scientific and technical merit, the mission relevance, and the 
protection of human subjects of Health Services Research and 
Development proposals. The Board does not consider grants, contracts, 
or other forms of extramural research.
    Members of the public who wish to attend the open portion of the 
teleconference session from 12-12:15 p.m. EST may dial 1-800-767-1750, 
participant code 27960#.
    Written comments from the public must be sent to Liza Catucci, 
Designated Federal Officer, Health Services Research and Development 
Service,

[[Page 47470]]

Department of Veterans Affairs (10X2H), 810 Vermont Avenue NW, 
Washington, DC 20420, or to [email protected] prior to the meeting. 
Those who plan to attend the open portion of the meeting must contact 
Ms. Catucci at least 5 days before the meeting. For further 
information, please call Ms. Catucci at 202-443-5797.

    Dated: July 31, 2020.
LaTonya L. Small,
Federal Advisory Committee Management Officer.
[FR Doc. 2020-17092 Filed 8-4-20; 8:45 am]
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