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Purpose
In February 1965, a distinguished committee appointed by President
Johnson, under the chairmanship of Dr. Dean E. Wooldridge, conducted
a study of the operations of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Among the recommendations the Wooldridge Committee made to the President
in its report was that a new advisory group should be established
to assist the Office of the Director, NIH, in the making of major
plans and policies, especially those related to the allocation of
NIH funds and resources. Accordingly, on May 9, l966, under the
authority cited below, the Advisory Committee to the Director, NIH
(Committee), was established.
Authority
42 U.S.C. 217a, section 222, of the Public Health Service (PHS)
Act, as amended. The Committee 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 Committee shall advise the Secretary of Health and Human Services,
the Assistant Secretary for Health, and the Director, National Institutes
of Health (NIH), on policy matters pertinent to NIH mission responsibilities
in the conduct and support of biomedical research, medical science,
and biomedical communications. The Committee may make recommendations
concerning program development, resource allocation, NIH administrative
regulation and policy, and other specific or general aspects of
NIH policy. In addition, the Committee may review and make recommendations
on applications for grants and cooperative agreements for research
and training for projects that show promise of making valuable contributions
to human knowledge.
As needed, the Committee may seek advice from special consultants;
assemble ad hoc working groups; and convene conferences, workshops
or other activities.
Structure
The Committee shall consist of the Secretary, or designee, as Chair,
and 20 members selected by the Secretary. The appointed members
shall consist of authorities who are knowledgeable in the fields
of research pertinent to the NIH mission and individuals who represent
the academic and private sector research community, as well as representatives
of the general public. A quorum for the conduct of business shall
consist of a majority of currently appointed members.
Members shall be invited to serve for overlapping terms of up to
four years. Terms of more than two years are contingent upon the
renewal of the Committee's Charter by appropriate action prior to
its termination. Members may serve after the expiration of their
term until successors have been appointed.
As necessary, standing and ad hoc subcommittees, composed of members
of the parent committee, may be established to perform functions
within the Committee's jurisdiction. The Department Committee Management
Officer shall be notified upon the 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.
The Office of the Director, NIH, shall provide management and support
services.
Meetings
Meetings shall be held approximately two times a year at the call
of the Chair, who shall approve the agenda. A Government official
shall be present at all meetings of the Committee.
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 shall be paid at the rate of $200 per day, plus per diem
and travel expenses, as authorized by section 5703, Title 5 U.S.C.,
as amended, 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 Committee.
Annual Cost Estimate
The estimated annual cost for operating the Committee, including
compensation and travel expenses for members but excluding staff
support, is $55,582. The estimate of annual person-years of staff
support required is 1.0, at an approximate annual cost of $69,466.
In addition, the estimated annual costs for related ad hoc activities,
including logistical support, compensation, and travel expenses
for participants, are projected to be $28,121.
Reports
In the event a portion of a meeting is closed to the public, a report
shall be prepared which shall contain, at a minimum, a list of members
and their business addresses, the Committee's functions, dates and
places of meetings, and a summary of the Committee's activities
and recommendations made during the fiscal year. A copy of the report
shall be provided to the Department Committee Management Officer.
Termination Date
Unless renewed by appropriate action prior to its expiration, the
Advisory Committee to the Director, National Institutes of Health,
will expire May 30, 2005.
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