Last Update: March 4, 2026
This page includes recent federal agency announcements and guidance. Updates will be added as new information is made available.
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.
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
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.
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
Biographical Sketch & Other Support Common Form Requirement
NIH – National Institutes of Health
NOT-OD-26-033: Adjusted Timeline for NIH’s Implementation of Common Forms
- NIH has extended the current leniency period through May 2026 to allow users and institutions sufficient time for adoption and compliance. During this leniency period, NIH provides a warning when the Common Forms are not used, but will not withdraw applications that don’t comply with the use of the Common Forms.
- 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.
Prior Approval Requests
NIH – National Institutes of Health
- 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).