FACACLASSIC

Note: An Annual Comprehensive Review, as required by §7 of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, is conducted each year on committee data entered for the previous fiscal year (referred to as the reporting year). The data for the reporting year is not considered verified until this review is complete and the data is moved to history for an agency/department. See the Data From Previous Years section at the bottom of this page for the committee’s historical, verified data.

Details on agency responses to committee recommendations can be found under the Performance Measures section for each committee in the fields “Agency Feedback” and “Agency Feedback Comment.”

VA - 5293 - National Research Advisory Council - Agency Authority

GENERAL INFORMATION

Committee Name	National Research Advisory Council	Agency Name	Department of Veterans Affairs
Fiscal Year	2025	Committee Number	5293
Original Establishment Date	9/21/1999	Committee Status	Chartered
Actual Termination Date		Committee URL
Actual Merged Date		Presidential Appointments*	No
New Committee This FY	No	Max Number of Members*	12
Terminated This FY	No	Designated Fed Officer Position Title*	Director of Operations
Merged This FY		Designated Federal Officer Prefix	Dr.
Current Charter Date	8/24/2023	Designated Federal Officer First Name*	Amanda
Date Of Renewal Charter	8/24/2025	Designated Federal Officer Middle Name	Patricia
Projected Termination Date		Designated Federal Officer Last Name*	Garcia
Exempt From Renewal*	No	Designated Federal Officer Suffix
Specific Termination Authority		Designated Federal Officer Phone*	(202) 304-3540
Establishment Authority*	Agency Authority	Designated Federal Officer Fax*
Specific Establishment Authority*	38 USC 7303	Designated Federal Officer Email*	amanda.garcia@va.gov
Effective Date Of Authority*	9/21/1999
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 Office of Research and Development (ORD) convenes periodic meetings of the NRAC to provide external consultation and review for VA’s research mission. NRAC provides advice and makes recommendations to the Chief Research and Development Officer, the Under Secretary for Health (USH), and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs concerning the nature and scope of Research and Development activities, particularly those that support priority areas. Since NRAC is a policy board, not a review board, it does not advise on specific research proposals; rather, it advises on broad research priorities and objectives. NRAC periodically forwards letters to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs expressing concern about specific research issues. As an advisor to the Secretary and the USH, the Council conducts an annual assessment of the VA ORD's Research Program as part of the performance assessment Rating Tool process. This assessment is based upon guidelines related to the scientific importance of the research on Veterans' health and its impact on the public health of the general population. The Council considers the appropriateness of the research to the VA healthcare mission, the balance of this research in terms of the burden of disease and the special responsibilities of VA in the areas of mental health, Suicide, PTSD, TBI, substance use, homelessness, pain and opioid use, spinal cord injury, prosthetics and high-risk populations, care of aging Veterans including caregiving, LTC, genomic medicine, big data and MVP, access, care coordination and patient centered care and deployment related conditions including Gulf War. NRAC aligns with implementing the Mission Act by improving Veterans access to health care: NRAC members review how well the research program is aligned with the goal of promoting a learning organization that improves processes to provide better access to health care for Veterans. In terms of VA strategic goals, NRAC aligns with strategic goal #1 (consistently communicating with customers and partners) by holding regular, productive meetings with NRAC members and key stakeholders (including interested members of the public). NRAC aligns with strategic goal #2 (delivering timely, accessible and high-quality benefits, care, and services to meet the needs of Veterans, Veteran families, and caregivers) by providing policy advice to ORD, the USH, and the Secretary that in turn improves the research agenda which will ensure that the VA continues to deliver high-quality, evidence-based health care to Veterans. NRAC aligns with strategic goal #3 (building and maintain trust with Veterans, Veteran families, caregivers, survivors, VA employees, and VA partners) by openly conducting all meetings and engaging with members of the public who are invested in VA research. Additionally, NRAC meetings facilitate communication between NRAC members, ORD leadership, and stakeholders, which in turn fosters trust in VA research. NRAC aligns with strategic goal #4 (striving towards excellence in all business operations to improve experience, satisfaction, accountability and security for Veterans) by providing advice to ORD, the USH, and the Secretary that has the power to improve the VA research process, which in turn improves VA research and Veterans’ engagement with VA research.
How is membership balanced?*	In FY 2024, 6 new members were appointed, 5 new members were reappointed and 1 new Chair appointed. The Council includes knowledgeable VA- and non-VA experts, and Veterans’ community representatives with special qualifications and competence to deal effectively with medical research and development issues in VA. The Council consists of outside physicians, scientists, academic and other leaders as well as Veterans thereby assuring their important perspectives on the health problems of Veterans. Close attention was given to equitable geographic distribution and to ethnic and gender representation. Membership provides a balance of views and a range of expertise essential to attaining the stated goals of the Council. The membership of the Council provides a unique opportunity for VA to highlight the strengths and quality of its research program to a distinguished national group who can further advance VA's research program.
How frequent & relevant are cmte mtgs?*	Meetings are generally held once every quarter: December, March, June, and September. The Annual Report to the NRAC was presented to the NRAC by Research and Development staff at the March 6, 2024, meeting. Comments included updates from the prior year regarding research, awards, accomplishments, and other information. Note there was no June meeting due to member appointment/re-appointments pending. The first meeting took place October 11, 2023, and the next meetings were held December 6, 2024 and March 6, 2024. The last meeting for FY 24 was an administrative/orientation meeting held July 10, 2024.
Why advice can't be obtained elsewhere?*	The experts on the NRAC provide advice and most importantly, use their broad knowledge bases to inform and discuss relevant research issues.
Why close or partially close meetings?	NRAC had one Administrative meeting on July 10, 2024 that was closed to the public. This meeting was to orient new and returning members. No NRAC business items were discussed. The other meetings were open to the public.
Recommendation Remarks	NRAC convened four virtual meetings in FY2024. No travel costs or member payments were incurred in FY2024; thus, no costs are reported for these items. FY 2025 estimated costs account for two in person meetings and a 4% COLA.

PERFORMANCE MEASURES

Outcome Improvement To Health Or Safety*	Yes	Action Reorganize Priorities*	No
Outcome Trust In Government	Yes	Action Reallocate Resources	Yes
Outcome Major Policy Changes	Yes	Action Issued New Regulations	No
Outcome Advance In Scientific Research	Yes	Action Proposed Legislation	Yes
Outcome Effective Grant Making	No	Action Approved Grants Or Other Payments	No
Outcome Improved Service Delivery	Yes	Action Other	No
Outcome Increased Customer Satisfaction	Yes	Action Comment
Outcome Implement Laws/Reg Requirements	Yes	Grants Review*	No
Outcome Other	No	Number Of Grants Reviewed	0
Outcome Comment	The result of medical research to include Health Services Research and Development, Clinical Sciences Research and Development, Biomedical Laboratory Research and Development and Rehabilitation Research and Development programs may have outcomes that impact the VA and it's customers/patients.	Number Of Grants Recommended	0
Cost Savings*	Unable to Determine	Dollar Value Of Grants Recommended	$0.00
Cost Savings Comment	The cost savings are unable to be determined as the research the Council reviews may or may not have outcomes for VA and its customers/patients.	Grants Review Comment	N/A
Number Of Recommendations*	24	Access Contact Designated Fed. Officer*	Yes
Number Of Recommendations Comment	This is the total number of recommendations from FY1999 to FY 2024.	Access Agency Website	Yes
% of Recs Fully Implemented*	82.00%	Access Committee Website	No
% of Recs Fully Implemented Comment	NRAC submitted two recommendations to the SECVA. The recommendation is in progress.	Access GSA FACA Website	Yes
% of Recs Partially Implemented*	0.00%	Access Publications	No
% of Recs Partially Implemented Comment	No recommendations are being implemented at this time.	Access Other	No
Agency Feedback*	Yes	Access Comment	N/A
Agency Feedback Comment*	The Office of Management and Budget requires that the NRAC conduct an annual assessment of the VA research program, which is based on guidelines related to the scientific importance of research on Veterans' health, and its impact on the public health of the general population. The NRAC considers the appropriateness of the research to VA's healthcare mission and makes observations about the research and in the areas of mental health, traumatic brain injury, and deployment health. The public can obtain Agency feedback at http://www.va.gov/ADVISORY.	Narrative Description*	The NRAC reviews the Strategic Plan and the Top 5 Priorities (Greater Choice, Modernize Systems, Efficiency, Improve Timeliness, and Suicide Prevention) for VA annually. The results of medical research to include Health Services Research and Development, Clinical Sciences Research and Development, Biomedical Laboratory Research and Development and Rehabilitation Research and Development programs may have outcomes that impact the VA and it's customers/patients. A device or treatment that improves health care or increases timeliness will increase trust in the government and customer satisfaction. A new process may result in increased trust, policy changes, service delivery, customer satisfaction or implementation of a new law.

COSTS

1. Payments to Non-Federal Members*		1. Est Paymnts to Non-Fed Membrs Nxt FY*
2. Payments to Federal Members*		2. Est. Payments to Fed Members Next FY*
3. Payments to Federal Staff*		3. Estimated Payments to Federal Staff*
4. Payments to Consultants*		4. Est. Payments to Consultants Next FY*
5. Travel Reimb. For Non-Federal Membrs*		5. Est Travel Reimb Non-Fed Membr nxtFY*
6. Travel Reimb. For Federal Members*		6. Est Travel Reimb For Fed Members*
7. Travel Reimb. For Federal Staff*		7. Est. Travel Reimb to Fed Staf Nxt FY*
8. Travel Reimb. For Consultants*		8. Est Travel Reimb to Consltnts Nxt FY*
10. Other Costs		10. Est. Other Costs Next FY*
11. Total Costs	$0.00	11. Est. Total Next FY*	$0.00
Date Cost Last Modified	2/19/2025 9:24 AM	Est. Fed Staff Support Next FY*
Federal Staff Support (FTE)*		Est Cost Remarks
Cost Remarks

Interest Areas

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