2017-08741. Joint Biomedical Laboratory Research and Development and Clinical Science Research and Development Services Scientific Merit Review Board Amended; Notice of Meetings

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) gives notice under Public Law 92-463; Title 5 U.S.C. App. 2 (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
Infectious Diseases—B	May 18, 2017	Hilton Crystal City—Reagan National Airport.
Nephrology	May 18, 2017	Hilton Crystal City—Reagan National Airport.
Hematology	May 19, 2017	Hyatt Regency Washington.
Oncology—A/D	May 19, 2017	Hyatt Regency Washington.
Cellular & Molecular Medicine	May 22, 2017	Hilton Crystal City—Reagan National Airport.
Endocrinology—B	May 22, 2017	Hilton Crystal City—Reagan National Airport.
Neurobiology—C	May 23, 2017	Hilton Crystal City—Reagan National Airport.
Oncology—B	May 24, 2017	Hilton Crystal City—Reagan National Airport.
Surgery	May 24, 2017	Hilton Crystal City—Reagan National Airport.
Cardiovascular Studies—A	May 25, 2017	Hilton Crystal City—Reagan National Airport.
Infectious Diseases—A	May 25, 2017	* VA Central Office.
Oncology—C	May 25 2017	Hilton Crystal City—Reagan National Airport.
Immunology & Dermatology—A	May 31, 2017	Hilton Crystal City—Reagan National Airport.
Neurobiology—B	May 31, 2017	Hyatt Regency Washington.
Gulf War Research	June 1, 2017	* VA Central Office.
Pulmonary Medicine	June 1, 2017	Hyatt Regency Washington.
Endocrinology—A	June 2, 2017	Hyatt Regency Washington.
Neurobiology—A	June 2, 2017	Hyatt Regency Washington.
Neurobiology—E	June 2, 2017	Hyatt Regency Washington.
Gastroenterology	June 6, 2017	Hilton Crystal City—Reagan National Airport.
Mental Health & Behavioral Sciences—A	June 7, 2017	Hilton Crystal City—Reagan National Airport.
Neurobiology—F	June 7, 2017	* VA Central Office.
Oncology—E	June 7, 2017	* VA Central Office.
Cardiovascular Studies—B	June 8, 2017	Hyatt Regency Washington.
Mental Health & Behavioral Sciences—B	June 8, 2017	Hyatt Regency Washington.
Epidemiology	June 8, 2017	* VA Central Office.
Neurobiology—D	June 9, 2017	Hyatt Regency Washington.
Special Emphasis Panel on Million Veteran Prog. Proj	July 11-12, 2017	Hilton Crystal City—Reagan National Airport.
Eligibility	July 17, 2017	Hilton Crystal City—Reagan National Airport.
The addresses of the meeting sites are: Hilton Crystal City—Reagan National Airport, 2399 Jefferson Davis Hwy., Arlington, VA; Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill, 400 New Jersey Avenue NW., 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 26, 2017.

LaTonya L. Small,

Federal Advisory Committee Management Officer.