[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 22 (Thursday, February 2, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Page 7131]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-02165]


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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, 5 U.S.C. 10, that a meeting of the 
Health Services Research and Development Service Scientific Merit 
Review Board will be held March 8, 2023, via Webex. The meeting will be 
held between noon and 1:30 p.m. EST. The meeting will be partially 
closed to the public from 12:15-1:30 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 may attend the open portion of the meeting in 
listen-only mode as the time limited open agenda does not enable public 
comment presentations. To attend the open portion of the meeting 
(12:00-12:15 p.m. EST), the public may join by dialing the phone number 
1-404-397-1596 and entering the meeting number (access code): 2762 513 
7674.
    Written public comments must be sent to Tiffin Ross-Shepard, 
Designated Federal Officer, Health Services Research and Development 
Service, Department of Veterans Affairs (14RDH), 810 Vermont Avenue NW, 
Washington, DC 20420, or to [email protected] at least five 
days before the meeting via the email listed above. The written public 
comments will be shared with the board members. The public may not 
attend the closed portion of the meeting as disclosure of research 
information could significantly obstruct implementation of proposed 
agency action regarding the research proposals (Pub. L. 92-463 
subsection 10(d), as amended by Public Law 94-409, closing the 
committee meeting is in accordance with title 5 U.S.C. 552b(c) (6) and 
(9)(B).

    Dated: January 30, 2023.
LaTonya L. Small,
Federal Advisory Committee Management Officer.
[FR Doc. 2023-02165 Filed 2-1-23; 8:45 am]
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