News and analysis on medical technology

FDA Opens Nationwide Recruitment for Advisory Committee Members and Consumer Representatives

Two Federal Register notices seek scientific voting members and consumer representatives for panels that review drugs, vaccines, biologics and medical devices, after a year of sharply fewer meetings.

By News DeskSeptember 30, 20262 min read
Rows of empty black chairs facing a panel table and a screen showing the FDA logo in a large meeting room.
The Great Room in Building 31 on FDA's White Oak campus in Silver Spring, Maryland, which can seat up to 600 people for public meetings. US Food and Drug Administration, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons · Public domain (FDA work)

Key points

  • FDA published two notices on September 30 seeking scientific, technical and professional voting members and consumer representatives for its advisory committees.
  • For first consideration, consumer representative nominations are due by November 15, 2026, and voting-member nominations by November 30, 2026; terms run up to four years.
  • RAPS reported the agency has held nine advisory committee meetings in 2026, after cutting back meetings in 2025.

The US Food and Drug Administration on Wednesday launched what it called a broad, nationwide effort to recruit new members for its advisory committees, the outside panels that review evidence on drugs, vaccines, biologics, medical devices and other regulated products.

The agency said in a press announcement that it is publishing two Federal Register notices: one seeking scientific, technical and professional voting members for all committees with current or anticipated vacancies, and a companion notice seeking consumer representatives. Vacancies span areas from oncology and cardiovascular medicine to neurology, genetics and medical devices, FDA said.

"We are actively inviting people from across the country who are on the forefront of their fields — clinicians, researchers, and community voices who can bring the latest science, real-world experience, and fresh perspectives to the FDA's deliberations," Acting Commissioner Kyle Diamantas said in the announcement.

Who can apply and when

Nominees for voting positions must show subject-matter expertise relevant to one or more committees, the ability to interpret complex scientific and technical information, an understanding of the public health significance of issues before the committee, and the capacity to give objective, independent advice. Consumer representative nominees should have demonstrated affiliation with, or active participation in, consumer or community-based organizations and be able to analyze technical data and weigh benefits and risks from a public perspective, according to FDA.

FDA will accept nominations on a continuing basis, including self-nominations, through its advisory committee membership nomination portal. To receive first consideration for current and near-term vacancies, consumer representative nominations should be submitted by November 15, 2026, and voting-member nominations by November 30, 2026. Members serve terms of up to four years.

After a period of fewer meetings

The Regulatory Affairs Professionals Society (RAPS) reported that the agency significantly cut back the number of advisory committee meetings in 2025 under former Commissioner Marty Makary, who resigned in May, and has held nine advisory committee meetings in 2026. The agency has also convened five expert panels outside the advisory committee system, on topics including testosterone therapy and antidepressant use during pregnancy, RAPS said.

Steven Grossman, president of HPS Group and a regulatory consultant, told RAPS that issuing the routine notices with a press release was significant. "The press release is a way to signal to the world that FDA is taking this seriously again," he said.

Advisory committees came up at last week's Senate confirmation hearing for FDA commissioner nominee Heidi Overton. Asked whether she would restore committees, Overton said, "if I'm confirmed as FDA commissioner, advisory committees will be a critical part," according to RAPS, adding that her goal would be to look at all of them to make sure they are fulfilling their highest purpose.

FDA said nominations received after the November dates will be considered as later vacancies arise.

Sources

  1. FDA Launches Nationwide Effort to Expand Scientific Expertise and Consumer Voices to Advisory Committees, US Food and Drug Administration, September 30, 2026
  2. FDA call for new adcomm members signals renewed interest in outside advisors, RAPS, September 30, 2026