[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 22 (Thursday, February 1, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 6571-6572]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-02006]


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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS


Scientific Merit Review Board, Health Services Research and 
Development Service; Federal Register 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 (HSRD) 
Merit Review Board (hereinafter, ``the Board'') will be held on Monday, 
March 18, 2024, via WebEx from 12-1:30 p.m. EST. The meeting will be 
partially closed to the public, with an open portion from 12-12:15 p.m. 
EST. The closed portion, from 12:15-1:30 p.m. EST, will be used for 
discussion, examination of and reference to the research applications 
and scientific review. Discussions will involve reference to staff and 
consultant critiques of research proposals. Discussions will also cover 
the scientific merit of each proposal and the qualifications of the 
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), and 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 that the VA HSRD program promotes functional independence and 
improves the quality of life for impaired and disabled Veterans.
    Board members advise the Director of HSRD and the Chief Research 
and Development Officer on the scientific and technical merit, mission 
relevance and protection of human subjects of HSRD 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 
via WebEx in listen-only mode, as the time-limited open agenda does not 
allow for public comment presentations. To attend the open portion of 
the meeting (12-12:15 p.m. EST), the public may join by

[[Page 6572]]

dialing the phone number (1-833-558-0712) and entering the meeting 
number/access code (2761 198 6545).
    Written comments from members of the public must be sent to Tiffin 
Ross-Shepard, Designated Federal Officer, HSRD, Department of Veterans 
Affairs (14RDH), 810 Vermont Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20420, or to 
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#17437e71717e7939457864643a447f726776657357617639707861"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="e5b18c83838c8bcbb78a9696c8b68d8095849781a59384cb828a93">[email protected]</span></a> at least five days before the meeting. The 
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. As provided by Public 
Law 92-463 subsection 10(d), and 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 29, 2024.
LaTonya L. Small,
Federal Advisory Committee Management Officer.
[FR Doc. 2024-02006 Filed 1-31-24; 8:45 am]
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