Board of Scientific Counselors

The Board of Scientific Counselors (BSC) is an advisory committee chartered under the Federal Advisory Committee Act. This advisory group comes together to provide advice and guidance about the public health preparedness and response activities conducted by CDC. The BSC is charged with:

• Advising the Secretary of Health and Human Services, the Assistant Secretary for Health, the CDC Director concerning strategies and goals for preparedness programs and research
• Conducting peer-review of scientific programs
• Performing secondary reviews of research proposals
• Monitoring overall strategic direction and focus

The BSC is managed by the Office of Science and Public Health Practice. The Board of Scientific Counselors holds in-person meetings at the CDC in Atlanta twice a year and at least one web based meetings throughout the year.

On February 21, 2023, the CDC Center for Preparedness and Response (CPR) became the Office of Readiness and Response (ORR). However, the Board of Scientific Counselors (BSC) will continue to be referred to as the Board of Scientific Counselors, Center for Preparedness and Response (BSC, CPR) until the name is updated pending approval of the BSC charter in November, 2023. At that time, this website will be updated to reflect this formal name change.