The following words and phrases when used in this chapter shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Advisory committee." The Health Research Advisory Committee established in section 903(b) .
"Applicant." Any of the following located in this Commonwealth:
"Biomedical research." Comprehensive research pertaining to the application of the natural sciences to the study and clinical practice of medicine at an institution, including biobehavioral research related to tobacco use.
"Clinical research." Patient-oriented research which involves direct interaction and study of the mechanisms of human disease, including therapeutic interventions, clinical trials, epidemiological and behavioral studies and the development of new technology.
"Department." The Department of Health of the Commonwealth.
"Health services research." Any of the following:
"Infrastructure." Office equipment and supplies, nonprofessional personnel, laboratory or building construction or renovations, used to conduct research.
"Institution." Any of the following located in this Commonwealth:
"NIH." The National Institutes of Health.
"Peer review." A process approved by the Department of Health or the National Institutes of Health in which a review panel which includes the applicant's professional peers reviews and evaluates research grant applications using a rating system of scientific and technical merit.
"Research." Biomedical, clinical and health services research which may include infrastructure.
"Secretary." The Secretary of Health of the Commonwealth.
35 P.S. § 5701.902