Freedom of Information Act : NIDDK

Freedom of Information Act

The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552, provides individuals with a right to access to records in the possession of the Federal government. The government may withhold information pursuant to the nine exemptions and three exclusions contained in the Act.

NIDDK FOIA Coordinator

Lynell Nelson
National Institute of Diabetes and
Digestive and Kidney Diseases
6707 Democracy Boulevard
Room 652, MSC 5464
Bethesda MD 20814-5464
Tel: 301-496-2978
Fax: 301-480-8188

How to Submit a FOIA Request

If the information you are interested in is not in the public domain, please follow the suggestions listed below when preparing your FOIA request:

  • Identify specific records requested (as applicable--grant number and principal investigator's name, subject matter of the records, dates, originating office, etc)
  • State that the records are requested under the Freedom of Information Act
  • Include contact information (address, telephone number, e-mail address) in case our office needs additional information
  • Sign the request
  • Mail or fax the request to the FOIA Coordinator:

    Lynell Nelson, NIDDK FOIA Coordinator
    6707 Democracy Boulevard
    Room 652, MSC 5464
    Bethesda MD 20814-5464
    Fax: 301-480-8188

Important Information About the FOIA

Grant Applicants

If your grant application is funded, you should be aware that some or all of this application as well as documents (such as correspondence) contained in the grant file may be requested under FOIA.

"…The Freedom of Information Act and implementing DHHS regulations (45 CRF Part 5) require the release of certain information about grants, upon request, irrespective of the intended use of the information. Trade secrets and commercial, financial, or otherwise intrinsically valuable information that is obtained from a person or organization and that is privileged or confidential information may be withheld from disclosure. Information, which, if disclosed, would be a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy, may also be withheld from disclosure. Although the grantee institution and the principal investigator will be consulted about any such release, the PHS will make the final determination. Generally available for release, upon request, except as noted above, are: all funded grant applications including their derivative funded noncompeting supplemental grant applications; pending and funded noncompeting continuation applications; progress reports of grantees; and final reports of any review or evaluation of grantee performance conducted or caused to be conducted by the DHHS. Generally, not available for release to the public are: competing grant applications (initial, competing continuation, and supplemental) for which awards have not been made; evaluative portions of site visit reports; and summary statements of findings and recommendations of review groups..."

--Grant Application (PHS 398, rev. 05/2001)

If you have questions regarding financial disclosure FOIA requests, please contact Lynell Nelson, NIDDK FOIA and Privacy Act Coordinator, by phone (301-496-2978) or E-mail (nelsonl@extra.niddk.nih.gov).

More Information

For additional information, visit the National Institutes of Health FOIA Page.

Page last updated: November 25, 2008

General inquiries may be addressed to: Office of Communications & Public Liaison
NIDDK, NIH
Building 31. Rm 9A06
31 Center Drive, MSC 2560
Bethesda, MD 20892-2560
USA
For information about NIDDK programs: 301.496.3583

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