FDA opens nationwide recruitment for advisory committee members

The FDA announced a nationwide effort to recruit scientific, technical and professional voting members, as well as consumer representatives, for advisory committees with current or anticipated vacancies. The agency is publishing two Federal Register notices and accepting nominations through a centralized application portal. The committees review evidence on drugs, vaccines, biologics, medical devices and other FDA-regulated products, then provide independent recommendations to inform agency decisions.

Recruitment spans fields including oncology, cardiovascular medicine, neurology, genetics and medical devices. The FDA said scientific and technical nominees must have relevant expertise, be able to interpret complex information and provide objective, independent advice. Consumer nominees should have ties to consumer or community organizations and be able to assess technical data, benefits, risks, safety and efficacy from a public perspective. To receive first consideration for current and near-term vacancies, consumer nominations are due by November 15, 2026, and scientific, technical, professional and other voting-member nominations by November 30, 2026. Self-nominations are accepted. Members may serve terms of up to four years.