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The Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) and a number of Federal regulations and policies govern NIH's use and management of its advisory committees, including the Literature Selection Technical Review Committee (LSTRC). The FACA requires that membership be fairly balanced in terms of points of view represented and the functions to be performed by the advisory committee. NIH ensures representation of women and minorities, diverse representation in member expertise, as well as broad representation of members from different geographic regions of the United States. Members of NIH's scientific and technical peer review committees are selected based on their expertise in the particular scientific areas for which a committee has review responsibilities. Assessment of this competence for LSTRC is based on the quality of clinical and research accomplishments, publications in scientific journals, and other significant medical and scientific activities, achievements, and honors. Usually a doctoral degree or its equivalent is required. Nonscientific members of the public may serve on scientific and technical review committees when their expertise or experience is appropriate. Service on NIH advisory committees also demands mature judgment, balanced perspective, objectivity, and ability to work effectively in a group. Membership requirements also include a commitment to accomplish work assignments, assurance that the confidentiality of applications, proposals, discussions, and recommendations will be protected and certification acknowledging they are free from conflicts of interest.
The nomination and selection of members is a major professional responsibility of each advisory committee's manager. The selection process involves long-range planning, and obtaining suggestions and information from many different sources. NIH draws upon numerous resources to select suitable nominees for membership, such as:
NIH's advisory committees perform a unique service to the NIH and to the Department of Health and Human Services. NIH provides remuneration to its committee members for these services during the days they participate in meetings. This includes honoraria, plus meal and travel expenses based on Government travel guidelines and rates. In general, the Exec Sec/SRA of the committee will identify nominees to replace current members a year in advance of their rotation off the committee. The following factors are considered:
Last reviewed: 26 August 2006
Last updated: 12 June 2007
First published: 25 August 2006
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