[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 102 (Friday, May 28, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 28927-28928]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-11377]


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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, June 23, 2021, via WebEx. The meeting 
will begin at 3:00 p.m. and end at 5:00 p.m. EDT. 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. EDT.
    The purpose of the Board is to provide 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.
    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

[[Page 28928]]

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. Meeting number (access code): 199 345 
6955. Meeting password: MWmXc8uc5@7. Meeting link: https://veteransaffairs.webex.com/webappng/sites/veteransaffairs/j.php?MTID=m93c418ac38f1765a68bde6e4cf5a055b.
    Those who would like to obtain a copy of the minutes from the 
closed subcommittee meetings and rosters of the subcommittee members 
should contact Michael Burgio, Ph.D., Designated Federal Officer (14RD) 
Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue NW, Washington, DC 
20420, at 202-603-4667 or [email protected].

    Dated: May 25, 2021.
LaTonya L. Small,
Federal Advisory Committee Management Officer.
[FR Doc. 2021-11377 Filed 5-27-21; 8:45 am]
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