Last Update: June 9, 2026
This page includes recent federal agency announcements and guidance. Updates will be added as new information is made available.
Proposed Changes to the Uniform Guidance
On May 29, 2026, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) proposed significant revisions to the Uniform Guidance. Several of the most consequential proposed changes to research are summarized here.
WashU is forming an institutional response to the federal government. We invite you to share your feedback, including comments, concerns, and specific examples, via this survey to help shape the response. Responses are due by Friday, June 12, 2026 at 5 p.m., but please submit your feedback as soon as possible.
Research Security Training
Many sponsors are implementing research security requirements for applicants and awarded researchers. These requirements are summarized on the Research Security Requirements page.
NASA – National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Research Security Training Requirement for Federal Financial Assistance Funding, effective August 5, 2026
NIH – National Institutes of Health
NOT-OD-26-017: Research Security Training Requirements for NIH, effective for applications submitted for due dates on or after May 25, 2026
NSF – National Science Foundation
Important Notice No. 149: Updates to NSF Research Security Policies, effective December 2, 2025
DOE – Department of Energy
Additional resources:
- NIH Research Security Training Requirements – WashU Research News announcement, published 4/15/2026
NIH Policy on Foreign Subawards
PA-26-002: NIH Collaborative International Research Project (Parent PF5 Clinical Trial Optional)
- On September 12, 2025, the NIH announced they will no longer accept new applications that request funds for foreign components using the traditional grant subaward/consortium structure. The Parent NOFO supporting this structure was released on January 20, 2026. Submissions will be accepted starting April 25, 2026.
- NIH has released updated instructions for multi-project applications:
- Collaborating Organization as the Lead of a Component
- Updated instructions for lead institutions may be found in NIH’s multi-component or complex application package.
- Collaborating Organization as a Consortium in a Component
- When a collaborating organization does not have a leadership role for a component, then the applicant organization is the component lead, and any collaborating organizations are included using the subaward/consortium budget form.
- Multi-project Application Component Forms
- Each component in a multi-project application requires its own set of forms, and the assembled application follows a predefined order. Additional details are provided in the How eRA Assembles Multi-project Applications document.
- A chart in the Multi-Project Instructions for NIH and other PHS Agencies document summarizes which forms must be completed for each component.
- Each component in a multi-project application requires its own set of forms, and the assembled application follows a predefined order. Additional details are provided in the How eRA Assembles Multi-project Applications document.
- Collaborating Organization as the Lead of a Component
NOT-OD-25-155: New Application Structure for NIH-Funded International Collaborations
- Effective for due dates on or after January 25, 2026, competing applications must be in response to a funding opportunity using a new grant type when requesting NIH funding for one or more foreign components.
- As previously noted in NOT-OD-25-104, NIH must ensure it can transparently and reliably report on each dollar spent on foreign collaborations. The current subaward structure does not allow for consistent reporting and accurate tracking; therefore, NIH will not issue awards to domestic or foreign entities (new, renewal, or non-competing continuation) that include a subaward to a foreign entity.
Resources
- NIH Frequently Asked Questions on Foreign Subaward Policy
- NIH New Application Structure for NIH-Funded International Collaborations – WashU Research News Announcement, published 4/14/2026
- Reminder: NIH Foreign Component Reporting – WashU Research News Announcement, published 4/1/2026
Biographical Sketch & Other Support Common Form Requirement
NIH – National Institutes of Health
- Effective May 8 2026, NIH requires new SciENcv Common Form versions of Biosketches and Other Support documents for applications with due dates on or after January 25, 2026.
- More guidance is available on WashU’s Prepare for NIH Moving to Common Forms webpage.
DOE – Department of Energy
- Effective December 3, 2025, the DOE implemented use of the Common Forms for the Biosketch and Current and Pending Support via SciENcv.
Resources:
- NIH: Announcement of Upcoming System Enforcement of Common Forms and End of NIH’s Leniency Period – WashU Research News Announcement, published 5/7/2026
Prior Approval Requests
NIH – National Institutes of Health
NOT-OD-26-062: Prior Approval Requirement for Changes to Domestic Subawards
- Effective June 1, 2026, all prime recipients are required to obtain NIH prior approval when adding a new domestic subaward to a project post-award, when the arrangement was not originally a part of the peer-reviewed and approved application.
- Requests must be submitted in the eRA Commons Prior Approval Module
using the “Other Request” type.
- Effective February 20, 2026, NIH requires the use of the eRA Prior Approval Module for the submission of all prior approval requests.
- All requests must be initiated and submitted by the Signing Official (SPA).