FACACLASSIC

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HHS - 21482 - National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity - Statutory (Congress Created)

GENERAL INFORMATION

Committee Name	National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity	Agency Name	Department of Health and Human Services
Fiscal Year	2025	Committee Number	21482
Original Establishment Date	11/22/1962	Committee Status	Chartered
Actual Termination Date		Committee URL	https://osp.od.nih.gov/biotechnology/national-s...
Actual Merged Date		Presidential Appointments*	No
New Committee This FY	No	Max Number of Members*	25
Terminated This FY	No	Designated Fed Officer Position Title*	Director, Division of Biosafety, Biosecurity, and Emerging Biotechnology Policy
Merged This FY		Designated Federal Officer Prefix
Current Charter Date	4/7/2024	Designated Federal Officer First Name*	Caroline
Date Of Renewal Charter	4/7/2026	Designated Federal Officer Middle Name	Evans
Projected Termination Date		Designated Federal Officer Last Name*	Young
Exempt From Renewal*	No	Designated Federal Officer Suffix	Sc.M.
Specific Termination Authority		Designated Federal Officer Phone*	(301) 594-3746
Establishment Authority*	Statutory (Congress Created)	Designated Federal Officer Fax*	(301) 496-9839
Specific Establishment Authority*	42 USC 283r, Section 404O of the PHS, PAHPA PL 109-417, Section 205, 120 Stat. 2851	Designated Federal Officer Email*	youngce@mail.nih.gov
Effective Date Of Authority*	11/22/1962
Exempt From EO 13875 Discretionary Cmte	Not Applicable
Committee Type*	Continuing
Presidential*	No
Committee Function*	Scientific Technical Program Advisory Board

RECOMMENDATION/JUSTIFICATIONS

Agency Recommendation*	Continue
Legislation to Terminate Required	Not Applicable
Legislation Status	Not Applicable
How does cmte accomplish its purpose?*	The purpose of the National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity (NSABB) is to provide technical advice, guidance, or recommendations, to relevant Federal departments and agencies related to biosafety and biosecurity oversight of biomedical research, including — (1) oversight of federally-conducted or federally-supported dual use biomedical research, such as the review of policies or frameworks used to assess and appropriately manage safety and security risks associated with such research, taking into consideration national security concerns, the potential benefits of such research, considerations related to the research community, transparency, and public availability of information, and international research collaboration; and (2) pursuant to section 205 of the PAHPA, when requested by the Secretary of Health and Human Services (Secretary) (a) a core curriculum and training requirements for workers in maximum containment biological laboratories; and (b) periodic evaluations of maximum containment biological laboratory capacity nationwide and assessments of the future need for increased laboratory capacity.
How is membership balanced?*	In advising on the efficient and effective oversight of dual use life sciences research, the NSABB must consider both public health and national security needs and the needs of the research community. Because this requires a diverse range of expertise, the NSABB will consist of not more than 25 voting members who provide broad expertise in areas such as molecular biology/genomics, microbiology (bacteriology), microbiology (virology), clinical Infectious diseases/diagnostics, institutional and/or laboratory, biosafety and biosecurity, public health/epidemiology, health physicist/radiation safety, pharmaceutical production, veterinary medicine, plant health, food production, bioethics, national security, military biodefense programs and military medicine, intelligence, biodefense, law and law enforcement, academia, scientific publishing, export controls, industry perspective and public perspective. In appointing these members, careful consideration is also given to geographic, gender, and race/ethnicity balance. In addition, nonvoting ex officio members represent HHS.
How frequent & relevant are cmte mtgs?*	Meetings of the National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity (NSABB) will be held approximately three times within a fiscal year and may be convened on an as-needed basis. The NSABB held 1 virtual meeting on November 21, 2024. There were no workgroup sessions convened this fiscal year. No new reports or recommendations generated, in Fiscal Year 2025.
Why advice can't be obtained elsewhere?*	The NSABB is the only Federal advisory committee chartered to advise the Federal Government on the management and oversight of dual use research; a constantly evolving challenge with significant implications for national biodefense, biosafety and biosecurity, and maintenance of a strong U.S. bioeconomy. The NSABB brings together a unique and broad range of perspectives and expertise, including biomedical, plant, and animal research; biosecurity, law, law enforcement, scientific publishing, biodefense, and intelligence.
Why close or partially close meetings?	N/A
Recommendation Remarks	The committee did not produce any public reports this fiscal year. Membership Updates: Five members rotated-off (Drs. Parker, Bernard, Denison, Grabenstein, and London) and there were no new members onboarded. This is why the Charter states 25 authorized potential members, but this ACR lists six active members. Chairperson - Ms. Rachel E. Levinson was reassigned as Chair this fiscal year, until June 14, 2026. Concluded Terms - The following NSABB members have completed their terms- Dr. Kenneth Bernard (concluded May 29, 2025), Dr. Mark Dennison (concluded November 24, 2024), Dr. John D. Grabenstein (concluded November 30, 2024), Dr. Alex John London (concluded June 3, 2025). Reappointments - The following NSABB members have been reappointed until June 14, 2026 - Ms. Shannon Benjamin, Dr. Karmella Anne Haynes, and Dr. Syra S. Madad. Administrative Extensions - The following NSABB member terms have been administratively extended - Dr. Jacqueline Fletcher, until November 25, 2025 and Dr. Dennis Metzger, until June 7, 2026. Ex Officio Update: Reappointments - Dr. Wendi L. Kuhnert, Deputy Director for Laboratory Readiness and Response at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, has been reappointed as an Ex Officio member of the National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity (NSABB), effective September 2, 2025. New Ex Officio Appointments - The following individuals were appointed NSABB Ex Officios, effective September 5, 2025- Arielle D'Suoza, Policy Advisor at the U.S. Department of Defense, replaces William Beaver. Dr. Jeffery Karl Taubenberger, Acting Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases at NIH, replaces Dr. Jeanne Marrazzo. Dr. Boris Wawrik, Program Manager at the U.S. Department of Energy, replaces Joseph R. Graber, effective August 21, 2025. Concluded Terms - The following Ex Officio member terms have ended effective September 1, 2025- William Beaver and Dr. Jeanne Marrazzo. John Graber’s term concluded August 20, 2025. The Designated Federal Officer and Committee Decision Maker positions are held by the same individual based on assigned duties within the IC. Per the Charter, NSABB will consist of not more than 25 voting members, including the Chair. Non-voting, ex officio members including at least one representative of each of the following: (i) The Department of Health and Human Services; (ii)The Department of Defense; (iii) The Department of Agriculture; (iv) The Department of Homeland Security; (v) The Department of Energy; (vi) The Department of State; (vii) The Office of Science and Technology Policy; (viii) The Office of the Director of National Intelligence. At this time, there are 6 voting members and 11 ex officio members. The number of ex officios could change as the Charter doesn't specify a maximum number for ex officio members.

PERFORMANCE MEASURES

Outcome Improvement To Health Or Safety*	Yes	Action Reorganize Priorities*	Yes
Outcome Trust In Government	Yes	Action Reallocate Resources	No
Outcome Major Policy Changes	Yes	Action Issued New Regulations	No
Outcome Advance In Scientific Research	No	Action Proposed Legislation	No
Outcome Effective Grant Making	No	Action Approved Grants Or Other Payments	No
Outcome Improved Service Delivery	No	Action Other	Yes
Outcome Increased Customer Satisfaction	No	Action Comment	The NSABB will advise the Secretary, HHS, and the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). In addition, when requested by the Secretary, HHS, the NSABB will advise the heads of all Federal entities that conduct, support, or have an interest in life sciences research on the matters delineated in Section 205 of the Pandemic and All-Hazards and Preparedness Act.
Outcome Implement Laws/Reg Requirements	No	Grants Review*	No
Outcome Other	Yes	Number Of Grants Reviewed	0
Outcome Comment	The Committee advises on significant policy issues that have the potential to affect the oversight of all federally-funded life sciences research. In addition, the policies that are informed by its recommendations help ensure that the scientific community conducts and communicates its research in a responsible manner.	Number Of Grants Recommended	0
Cost Savings*	Unable to Determine	Dollar Value Of Grants Recommended	$0.00
Cost Savings Comment	This Committee provides advice, guidance, and leadership as stated in the narrative above. It can take many years for the impacts of these recommendations to come to fruition.	Grants Review Comment	N/A
Number Of Recommendations*	241	Access Contact Designated Fed. Officer*	Yes
Number Of Recommendations Comment	In Fiscal Year 2025, the NSABB held 1 virtual meeting on November 21, 2024, there were no workgroup sessions held. The NSABB produced no new reports nor were recommendations generated, in FY2025.	Access Agency Website	Yes
% of Recs Fully Implemented*	0.00%	Access Committee Website	Yes
% of Recs Fully Implemented Comment	Due to the complexity of the recommendations made by this committee on policy and program areas, staff is unable to determine which recommendations have been fully or partially implemented solely in response to this committee's activities.	Access GSA FACA Website	Yes
% of Recs Partially Implemented*	0.00%	Access Publications	No
% of Recs Partially Implemented Comment	Due to the large breadth and complexity of the recommendations made by this committee on policy and program areas, NIH staff is unable to determine which recommendations have been fully or partially implemented solely in response to this committee’s activities.	Access Other	No
Agency Feedback*	Yes	Access Comment	N/A
Agency Feedback Comment*	Information is provided to the public at each meeting. The public can view information related to the Committee through the committee’s official website.	Narrative Description*	The purpose of the National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity (NSABB) is to provide advice, guidance, and leadership regarding biosecurity oversight of dual use research, defined as biological research with legitimate scientific purpose that may be misused to pose a threat to public health and/or national security. The NSABB will advise the Secretary, HHS, and the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). In addition, when requested by the Secretary, HHS, the NSABB will advise the heads of all Federal entities that conduct, support, or have an interest in life sciences research on the matters delineated in Section 205 of the Pandemic and All-Hazards and Preparedness Act. The NSABB advises on and recommends specific strategies for the efficient and effective oversight of federally conducted or supported dual use biological research, taking into consideration both national security concerns and the needs of the research community.

COSTS

1. Payments to Non-Federal Members*	$2,000.00	1. Est Paymnts to Non-Fed Membrs Nxt FY*	$15,000.00
2. Payments to Federal Members*	$3,740.00	2. Est. Payments to Fed Members Next FY*	$44,880.00
3. Payments to Federal Staff*	$91,134.00	3. Estimated Payments to Federal Staff*	$81,673.00
4. Payments to Consultants*	$0.00	4. Est. Payments to Consultants Next FY*	$0.00
5. Travel Reimb. For Non-Federal Membrs*	$0.00	5. Est Travel Reimb Non-Fed Membr nxtFY*	$10,516.00
6. Travel Reimb. For Federal Members*	$0.00	6. Est Travel Reimb For Fed Members*	$0.00
7. Travel Reimb. For Federal Staff*	$0.00	7. Est. Travel Reimb to Fed Staf Nxt FY*	$0.00
8. Travel Reimb. For Consultants*	$0.00	8. Est Travel Reimb to Consltnts Nxt FY*	$0.00
10. Other Costs	$13,711.00	10. Est. Other Costs Next FY*	$13,848.00
11. Total Costs	$160,579.00	11. Est. Total Next FY*	$216,411.00
Date Cost Last Modified	9/22/2025 2:50 PM	Est. Fed Staff Support Next FY*	0.40
Federal Staff Support (FTE)*	0.50	Est Cost Remarks	As the NSABB resumes activity, costs are expected to increase, driven by: meeting and workgroup session expenses, report production and publication costs, and personnel and staffing requirements. Daily salary costs have been estimated for Ex Officio members of this committee. The dollar figure represents a portion of their annual salary. No funds will be transferred between the committee and the agency. No additional funds are paid to Federal employee due to membership on this committee. As the committee resumes activity, careful resource management will be essential to ensure effective operations and maximize impact.
Cost Remarks	The NSABB held one meeting on November 21, 2024, and no Workgroup meetings were held in FY2025. Daily salary costs have been estimated for Federal and/or Ex Officio member(s) of this committee. The dollar figure represents a portion of their annual salary. No funds have been transferred between the committee and the agency. No additional funds are paid to Federal employee due to membership on this committee. Although 11 Ex officio members are identified in the member section, only 5 attended the meeting held during the fiscal year.

Interest Areas

Category Area Health Safety Medicine Health and Health Research National Defense National Security and Defense

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