PURPOSE
The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR, also referred to as "Institute"), National Institute of Health (NIH), was established to conduct and support biomedical and behavioral research, health services research, research training, and health information dissemination with respect to the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of dental diseases and conditions and craniofacial research. The intramural research program conducts research on the most effective methods of prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of dental diseases and conditions.
The Board of Scientific Counselors, NIDCR (Board), was reestablished on December 1, 1987, to review and evaluate the intramural program and the work of the individual scientists of the NIDCR. The Director, NIH, is mandated under section 492(b) of the Public Health Service (PHS) Act, as amended, to establish procedures for periodic technical and scientific peer review of research at the NIH. These procedures should consider the work (past, present, and future) conducted by either an entire laboratory or section of a laboratory as well as the research projects of individual investigators.
AUTHORITY
42 U.S.C. 282(b)(6), section 402 (b) (6) of the PHS Act, as amended. The Board is governed by the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended (5 U.S.C. Appendix 2), which sets forth standards for the formation and use of advisory committees.
FUNCTION
The Board shall advise the Director, NIH; the Deputy Director for Intramural Research, NIH; the Director, NIDCR; and the Scientific Director, NIDCR on the Institute's intramural research programs through periodic visits to the laboratories to assess the research in progress and evaluate the productivity and performance of staff scientists.
The Board shall be provided with a written description of the overall research to be reviewed. This written description should present the overall past accomplishment of the laboratory and its investigators since the last review was conducted. The written description might also present: the general aims, objectives and projected directions of the research to be conducted; appropriate background information on possible future research projects; a brief summary of the general research plan; and an indication of the importance of the research project.
The Board, after conducting the review, shall submit a written description of the research, the results of the review, and the recommendations of the Board to the Scientific Director of the Institute. The Scientific Director will report at least annually to the National Advisory Dental and Craniofacial Research Council, the results of the review.
STRUCTURE
The Board shall consist of nine members, including the Chair. The Chair and members are selected by the Director, NIH, from authorities knowledgeable in the fields of basic and clinical sciences related to the research activities of the Institute. Members shall be invited to serve for overlapping terms of up to five-years. Term for a member who is to serve as Chair may include a fifth year. The quorum for the conduct of business by the full Board shall consist of a majority of the currently appointed members. A quorum for each subcommittee shall be three members.
As necessary, standing and ad hoc subcommittees of the Board, composed of members of the parent committee, may be established to perform specific functions within the Board's jurisdiction. The Department Committee Management Officer shall be notified upon establishment of each standing subcommittee and shall be given information on its name, membership, function, and estimated frequency of meetings.
A member of one subcommittee may serve as a voting member of other subcommittees when that member's expertise is required. However, that member shall not be counted in determining the presence of a quorum. Upon approval by the Chair, the advice of a subcommittee shall be considered the advice of the Board.
Management and support services are provided by the NIDCR intramural research programs.
MEETINGS
Meetings shall be held approximately twice a year at the call of the Chair, with the advance approval of a Government official who also approves the agenda. A Government official shall be present at all meetings.
Meetings shall be open to the public unless determined otherwise by the Secretary. Notice of all meetings shall be given to the public.
Meetings shall be conducted and records of the proceedings kept, as required by applicable laws and departmental policies.
COMPENSATION
Members are paid at the rate of $200 per day, plus per diem and travel expenses as authorized by Section 5703, Title 5, U.S.C., for persons in the Government service employed intermittently. Members who are officers or employees of the United States shall not receive compensation for service on the Board.
ANNUAL COST ESTIMATE
The estimated annual cost for operating the Board, including compensation and travel expenses for members, but excluding staff support, is $42,423. The estimate of annual person-years of staff support required is .40 at an estimated annual cost of $34,350.
REPORTS
In the event a portion of a meeting is closed to the public, a report shall be prepared which shall contain, as a minimum, a list of members and their business addresses, the Board's functions, the dates and places of meetings, and a summary of committee activities and recommendations made during the fiscal year. A copy of the report shall be provided to the Department Committee Management Officer.
TERMINATION DATE
Continuing
APPROVED
_______________________ ____________________________
Date Acting Director, NIH
PROPOSED PLAN FOR APPROPRIATE BALANCE OF COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP
The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research Board of Scientific Counselors consists of nine members, including the Chair, who are knowledgeable of the issues related to the Committee's function. They shall be selected from outstanding authorities in the fields of dental, medical and fundamental sciences, as well as academic and public administration.
The Department will give close attention to equitable geographic distribution and to minority and female representation so long as the effectiveness of the Committee is not impaired.
Appointments shall be made without discrimination on the basis of age, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or cultural, religious, or socioeconomic status.