2018-08983. Joint Biomedical Laboratory Research and Development and Clinical Science Research and Development Services Scientific Merit Review Board; Notice of Meetings

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) gives notice under Federal Advisory Committee Act that the subcommittees of the Joint Biomedical Laboratory Research and Development and Clinical Science Research and Development Services Scientific Merit Review Board (JBL/CS SMRB) will meet from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the dates indicated below (unless otherwise listed):

Subcommittee	Date	Location
Oncology-C	May 16-17, 2018	20 F Conference Center.
Nephrology	May 17, 2018	Hilton Garden Inn.
Hematology	May 18, 2018	20 F Conference Center.
Oncology-A/D	May 18, 2018	20 F Conference Center.
Cellular & Molecular Medicine	May 21, 2018	20 F Conference Center.
Endocrinology-B	May 21, 2018	20 F Conference Center.
Oncology-B	May 21, 2018	20 F Conference Center.
Neurobiology-C	May 22, 2018	20 F Conference Center.
Infectious Diseases-B	May 23, 2018	Training Development Center.
Surgery	May 23, 2018	20 F Conference Center.
Cardiovascular Studies-A	May 24, 2018	20 F Conference Center.
Infectious Diseases-A	May 24, 2018	20 F Conference Center.
Immunology & Dermatology-A	May 30, 2018	20 F Conference Center.
Neurobiology-B	May 30, 2018	20 F Conference Center.
Oncology-E	May 30, 2018	20 F Conference Center.
Gulf War Research	May 31, 2018	* VA Central Office.
Pulmonary Medicine	May 31, 2018	20 F Conference Center.
Neurobiology-R	May 31, 2018	* VA Central Office.
Endocrinology-A	June 1, 2018	20 F Conference Center.
Neurobiology-A	June 1, 2018	20 F Conference Center.
Neurobiology-E	June 1, 2018	20 F Conference Center.
Gastroenterology	June 5, 2018	20 F Conference Center.
Special Emphasis Panel on Million Veteran Prog Proj	June 5, 2018	* VA Central Office.
Mental Health & Behavioral Sciences-A	June 6, 2018	20 F Conference Center.
Neurobiology-F	June 6, 2018	* VA Central Office.
Cardiovascular Studies-B	June 7, 2018	20 F Conference Center.
Epidemiology	June 7, 2018	* VA Central Office.
Mental Health & Behavioral Sciences-B	June 7, 2018	20 F Conference Center.
Neurobiology-D	June 8, 2018	20 F Conference Center.
Eligibility	July 16, 2018	20 F Conference Center.
The addresses of the meeting sites are:
20 F Conference Center, 20 F Street NW, Washington, DC.
Hilton Garden Hill, 1225 First Street NE, Washington, DC.
Training Development Center, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Washington, DC.
VA Central Office, 1100 First Street NE, Suite 600, Washington, DC.
* Teleconference.

The purpose of the subcommittees is to provide advice on the scientific quality, budget, safety and mission relevance of investigator-initiated research proposals submitted for VA merit review evaluation. Proposals submitted for review include various medical specialties within the general areas of biomedical, behavioral and clinical science research.

These subcommittee meetings will be closed to the public for the review, discussion, and evaluation of initial and renewal research proposals, which 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 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).

Those who would like to obtain a copy of the minutes from the closed subcommittee meetings and rosters of the subcommittee members should contact Holly Krull, Ph.D., Manager, Merit Review Program (10P9B), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20420, at [phone] or email at [e-mail].

Dated: April 24, 2018.

LaTonya L. Small,

Federal Advisory Committee Management Officer.