[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 3 (Wednesday, January 6, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 704-705]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-29228]


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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS


Joint Biomedical Laboratory Research and Development and Clinical 
Science Research and Development Services Scientific Merit Review 
Board, Notice of Meeting

    The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) gives notice under Federal 
Advisory Committee Act, 5 U.S.C. App.2, that a meeting of the Joint 
Biomedical Laboratory Research and Development and Clinical Science 
Research and Development Services Scientific Merit Review Board (JBL/CS 
SMRB) will be held Wednesday, January 21, 2021, via WebEx. The meeting 
will begin at 3:00 p.m. and end at 5:00 p.m. Eastern daylight time. The 
meeting will have an open session from 3:00 p.m. until 3:30 p.m. and a 
closed session from 3:30 p.m. until 5:00 p.m.
    The JBL/CS provides expert review of the scientific quality, 
budget, safety and mission-relevance of investigator-initiated research 
applications submitted for VA merit review consideration and to offer 
advice for research program officials on program priorities and 
policies.
    The purpose of the open session is to meet with the JBL/CS Service 
Directors to discuss the overall policies and process for scientific 
review, as well as disseminate information among the Board members 
regarding the VA research priorities.

[[Page 705]]

    The purpose of the closed session is to provide recommendations on 
the scientific quality, budget, safety and mission relevance of 
investigator-initiated research applications submitted for VA merit 
review evaluation. Applications submitted for review include various 
medical specialties within the general areas of biomedical, behavioral 
and clinical science research. The JBL/CS SMRB meeting will be closed 
to the public for the review, discussion, and evaluation of initial and 
renewal research applications, which involve reference to staff and 
consultant critiques of research applications. Discussions will deal 
with scientific merit of each application 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 applications. As provided by subsection 10(d) of 
Public Law 92-463, as amended by Public Law 94-409, closing the 
subcommittee meetings is in accordance with Title 5 U.S.C. 552b(c)(6) 
and (9)(B).
    Members of the public who wish to attend the open JBL/CS SMRB 
meeting should join via WebEx at: Meeting number (access code): 199 200 
0800, meeting password: 2cZMnrsy?36. https://veteransaffairs.webex.com/veteransaffairs/j.php?MTID=ma78d899af04fa76dfb51da583d406ef3. Those who 
would like to obtain a copy of the minutes from the closed subcommittee 
meetings and rosters of the subcommittee members should contact Pauline 
Cilladi-Rehrer, MSBA, Designated Federal Officer, (14RD), Department of 
Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20420, at 202-
443-5607 or at [email protected].

    Dated: December 30, 2020.
Jelessa M. Burney,
Federal Advisory Committee Management Officer.
[FR Doc. 2020-29228 Filed 1-5-21; 8:45 am]
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