Notice2026-05365
Rehabilitation Research, Development and Translation Scientific Merit Review Board AGENCY: Department of Veterans Affairs.
Primary source
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Published
March 19, 2026
Issuing agencies
Veterans Affairs Department
Abstract
We are giving notice that the Secretary of Veterans Affairs intends to renew the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Rehabilitation Research, Development and Translation Scientific Merit Review Board (formerly Rehabilitation Research and Development Service Scientific Merit Review Board) for a 2-year period. The Secretary has determined that the Committee is necessary and in the public interest.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 53 (Thursday, March 19, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 53 (Thursday, March 19, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13406-13407]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-05365]
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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
Rehabilitation Research, Development and Translation Scientific
Merit Review Board AGENCY: Department of Veterans Affairs.
ACTION: Notice of Intent to File.
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SUMMARY: We are giving notice that the Secretary of Veterans Affairs
intends to renew the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Rehabilitation
Research, Development and Translation Scientific Merit Review Board
(formerly Rehabilitation Research and Development Service Scientific
Merit Review Board) for a 2-year period. The Secretary has determined
that the Committee is necessary and in the public interest.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jeffrey Moragne, Committee Management
Office, Department of Veterans Affairs, Advisory Committee Management
Office (00AC), 811 Vermont Avenue, 4th floor, NW, Washington, DC 20420;
telephone (202) 714-1578; or email at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#2f654a49495d4a560162405d4e48414a6f594e01484059"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="99d3fcffffebfce0b7d4f6ebf8fef7fcd9eff8b7fef6ef">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee
ACT, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs intends to renew the
Rehabilitation Research, Development and Translation Scientific Merit
Review Board (RRDT or Board) for two (2) years from the filing date of
the charter's renewal. The purpose of RRDT is to provide for the fair
and equitable selection of the most meritorious research projects for
support by VA research funds and to offer advice for research program
officials on program priorities and policies. The ultimate objective of
the Board is to ensure that the VA rehabilitation research program
promotes functional independence and improves the quality of life for
impaired and disabled Veterans.
Also in pursuant to 41 C.F.R Sec. 102-3.65, the Department of
Veterans Affairs provides this written notice determination stating
that the Board is in the public interest and found to be in accordance
with the Federal Advisory Community Act (FACA), the FACA 2025 Final
Rule, and current to the U.S. General Services Administration,
Committee Management Secretariat guidance. The following factors below
provide an overview of the Committee's operations and public interest
intent.
Annual Budget--The overall operating costs for Joint Brain
Behavioral is $1,500,000. All members receive travel expenses and a per
diem allowance in accordance with the Federal Travel Regulation for any
travel made in connection with their duties as members of the Board.
The expected costs are broken into:
(i) Federal personnel (based on full-time equivalent (FTE) usage
basis) is 7.8 with other Federal internal costs being $1,340,000.
(ii) Proposed payments to Non-Federal Members are $160,000. There
are 12 members on the Parent Committee and 12 Subcommittees with more
than 600 consultant members who do not serve on the Parent Committee.
Subcommittee members are recruited based on the number and the research
focus of the applications received. Non-Federal members receive up to
$300/day of service.
(iii) Reimbursable costs are $0.00 non-applicable for the Board.
This Committee does not have any dollar value of grants expected
for the fiscal year.
[[Page 13407]]
Membership Selection--The Board is composed of members having
training, subject matter expertise, and scientific merit review
experience in a variety of scientific, technical, and medical
disciplines including, but not limited to, aging, brain health and
injury (e.g., traumatic brain injury, stroke, epilepsy), chronic
medical conditions, sensory systems (e.g., hearing, vision, tinnitus,
balance), behavioral health and social reintegration, musculoskeletal
health and disorders, neurology (e.g., spinal cord injury,
neurodegenerative diseases), prosthetics/orthotics, pain, regeneration,
rehabilitation and biomedical engineering, and communication disorders
(e.g., speech/language). RRDT represents the required subject matter
expertise and technical skills along with applicable academia position
and Veterans of different eras and branches of military service if
possible.
Existing Federal Advisory Committees--The following list of 27 VA
advisory committees includes 18 that are statute (with an asterisk *)
and 9 non-statutory committees.
(1) VA National Academic Affiliations Council
(* 2) Advisory Committee on Cemeteries and Memorials
(3) Cooperative Studies Scientific Evaluation Committee
(* 4) Advisory Committee on Disability Compensation
(* 5) Veterans' Advisory Committee on Education
(* 6) Veterans' Advisory Committee on Environmental Hazards
(Administratively Inactive)
(* 7) Advisory Committee on Former Prisoners of War
(* 8) Geriatrics and Gerontology Advisory Committee
(* 9) Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses
(10) Health Systems Research Service Merit Review Board
(* 11) Advisory Committee on Homeless Veterans
(12) Joint Biomedical Laboratory Research and Development and Clinical
Science Research and Development Services Scientific Merit Review Board
(* 13) Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans
(14) National Research Advisory Council
(* 15) Advisory Committee on U.S. Outlying Areas and Freely Associated
States
(* 16) Advisory Committee on Prosthetics and Special Disabilities
Programs
(* 17) Advisory Committee on the Readjustment of Veterans
(* 18) Veterans' Advisory Committee on Rehabilitation
(19) Rehabilitation Research and Development Service Scientific Merit
Review Board
(20) Veterans' Rural Health Advisory Committee
(* 21) Special Medical Advisory Group
(* 22) Advisory Committee on Structural Safety of Department of
Veterans Affairs Facilities
(* 23) Advisory Committee on Tribal and Indian Affairs
(24) Veterans' Family, Caregiver, and Survivor Advisory Committee
(* 25) Veterans and Community Oversight and Engagement Board
(26) Department of Veterans Affairs Voluntary Service National Advisory
Committee
(* 27) Advisory Committee on Women Veterans
Justification--The review of rehabilitation research proposals
requires highly specialized subject matter expertise and experience.
Ensuring broad and appropriate expertise on the RRDT is obtained by
recruiting experts both from within and outside of the Federal
Government.
Summary of Previous Committee Accomplishments--This FACA Scientific
Merit Review Board (SMRB) reviews and evaluates approximately 450
rehabilitation research proposals per year through its subcommittees.
These evaluations have assisted VA Office of Research Development (ORD)
in selecting the most meritorious research projects that will
ultimately lead to improvements in Veteran health and healthcare,
quality of life and participation in their lives and community. VA ORD
funds approximately 20% of the proposals it receives. This SMRB needs
to continue its activities so VA ORD can continue to benefit from
expert evaluations when making funding decisions.
Why Committee is Essential--Rehabilitation Research, Development
and Translation Scientific Merit Review Board provides advice on the
fair and equitable selection of the most meritorious research projects
for support by VA research funds; advice for research program officials
on program priorities and policies; and ensures that the VA
Rehabilitation Research and Development program promoted functional
independence and improved the quality of life for impaired and disabled
Veterans. Peer review of research proposals by external subject matter
experts (SMEs) is a critical element of the VA's Research program.
Organizing VA's Scientific Merit Review Boards under Federal Advisory
Committee Act committees gives us the legal authority to recruit
external SMEs. VA research is a statutory mandate under 38 U.S. Code
Sec. 7303, Public Law 117-328. VA Research priorities are further
mandated by the Hannon Act (traumatic brain injury), the PACT Act
(military toxic exposures and Gulf War Illness), the CARA act (Pain and
opioid treatment), the Cleland Dole Act (Precision Oncology), and the
MISSION and Elizabeth Dole Acts (community care). There is no other
mechanism for VA to get this expert advice.
In conclusion, this Notice of Intent states that this renewing
Board is in the public interest, essential to the conduct of agency
business and that the information provided is not available through any
other advisory committee or source within the Federal Government.
Dated: March 16, 2026.
LaTonya L. Small,
Federal Advisory Committee Management Officer.
[FR Doc. 2026-05365 Filed 3-18-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8320-01-P
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