NIH is Seeking Input for the Framework of the Next NIH-Wide Strategic Plan
On March 16, 2026, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) issued NOT-OD-26-047 seeking public input on the framework for its NIH-Wide Strategic Plan for FY 2027–2031. The framework outlines NIH’s overarching priorities in research areas, research capacity, and research operations, with goals focused on advancing foundational science, strengthening the biomedical workforce and infrastructure, and enhancing transparency and stewardship. Feedback from researchers and other stakeholders will help shape NIH’s strategic direction for the next five years; responses are due May 16, 2026. Learn more in the NIH Extramural Nexus.
NIH’s Path to a Simpler Funding Opportunity Landscape
On March 23, 2026, NIH announced efforts to streamline its funding opportunity landscape by reducing the number of highly specialized Notices of Funding Opportunities (NOFOs) and shifting toward broader, more flexible announcements that emphasize investigator‑initiated research. This change is intended to simplify proposal development, reduce administrative burden, and give investigators greater freedom to propose innovative science without tailoring projects to narrowly defined funding topics. While fewer NOFOs will be issued, NIH emphasized that this does not mean fewer funded awards. Targeted funding opportunities will still be used when there is a clear scientific or public health need, and NIH has introduced a centralized Highlighted Topics portal to communicate priority research areas while encouraging applications through broad funding mechanisms. Overall, the approach is designed to create a more navigable, efficient, and innovation‑focused NIH funding environment while maintaining support for meritorious research. Lear more about responding to Highlighted Topics in the NIH Extramural Nexus.
Revised NIH Grants Policy Statement for FY 2026
On March 25, 2026, NIH issued NOT-OD-26-057 to announce publication of the NIH Grants Policy Statement (GPS) for FY 2026. The NIH GPS serves as the authoritative source of terms, conditions, and policy guidance for all NIH grants and cooperative agreements. This update consolidates all applicable policy changes and Guide Notices issued through March 17, 2026, incorporates new and clarified requirements, reflects recent statutory and regulatory changes, and supersedes the April 2024 version. The current and prior NIHGPS versions, along with summaries of significant changes, are available on the NIH Grants Policy website, and NIH will continue to issue interim policy updates through future Guide Notices and Federal Register notices as needed.