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###### Department of Veterans Affairs

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) gives notice under the Federal Advisory Committee Act, 5 U.S.C. ch.10, that a meeting of the Joint Biomedical Laboratory Research and Development and Clinical Science Research and Development Services Scientific Merit Review Board will be held January 30, 2024, via Webex. The meeting will be held between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. EDT. The meeting will be closed to the public from 3:30-5 p.m. EDT 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 Biomedical Laboratory and Clinical Science Research and Development programs.

Board members advise the Directors of the Biomedical Laboratory and Clinical Sciences Research Services and the Chief Research and Development Officer on the scientific and technical merit, the mission relevance, and the protection of human subjects of Biomedical Laboratory and Clinical Sciences 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. The time limited agenda does not enable public comments or presentations. To attend the open portion of the meeting (3-3:30 p.m. EDT), the public may join by dialing the phone number 1-404-397-1596 and entering the meeting number (access code): 2763 451 0764.

                    Written public comments must be sent to Michael R. Burgio, Ph.D., Designated Federal Officer, Office of Research and Development, Department of Veterans Affairs (14RD), 810 Vermont Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20420, or to                     *Michael.Burgio@va.gov*                     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 Pub. L. 94-409, closing the committee meeting is in accordance with title 5 U.S.C. 552b(c)(6) and (9)(B).                

Dated: January 3, 2024.

LaTonya L. Small,

Federal Advisory Committee Management Officer.

[FR Doc. 2024-00162 Filed 1-5-24; 8:45 am]

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