Joint Brain, Behavioral, and Mental Health and Medical Health (BBMH/MED) Scientific Merit Review Board, Notice of Meeting

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS Joint Brain, Behavioral, and Mental Health and Medical Health (BBMH/MED) Scientific Merit Review Board, Notice of Meeting The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) gives notice under the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended, 5 U.S.C. Ch. 10, that a meeting of the Joint Brain, Behavioral, and Mental Health and Medical Health (BBMH/MED) Scientific Merit Review Board will be held July 13, 2026, from 3:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST), via Microsoft Teams. The meeting will be open to the public from 3:00 p.m.-3:30 p.m. EST. The remainder of the meeting, from 3:30 p.m.-5:00 p.m. EST, will be closed to the public and used for scientific review and discussion, examination of, and reference to the research applications. Discussions will involve 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. Therefore, portions of the Board meeting will be closed to the public in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552b(c)(4), (6), and (9)(B). The objectives of the Board are to provide expert review of the scientific quality, budget, safety, and mission-relevance of investigator-initiated research applications submitted for VA merit review consideration and to offer advice for research program officials on program priorities and policies. The Board advises the Deputy Chief Research and Development Officer (Deputy CRADO) for Investigators, Scientific Review, and Management, and the Acting CRADO for the Office of Research and Development, on strategies, goals, and direction to support emerging issues and topics in Veteran health care through research, scientific and technical merit, and mission relevance. 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 from 3:00 p.m.-3:30 p.m. EST, via Microsoft Teams (in listen-only mode, as the time-limited agenda does not allow for public comment or presentations). To attend the open portion of the meeting, the public may dial the Microsoft Teams phone number (872-701-0185) and enter the meeting access code: 65958217#. Written comments from members of the public should be sent to Michael R. Burgio, Ph.D., Designated Federal Officer, BBMH/MED, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20420, or to Michael.Burgio@va.gov, at least 5 days before the meeting. The written public comments will be shared with the Board members. The public may not attend the closed portion of the meeting. Dated: July 6, 2026. Jelessa M. Burney, Federal Advisory Committee Management Officer. [FR Doc. 2026-13833 Filed 7-8-26; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8320-01-P