Reminder: NIH will Require Use of Common Forms
On December 2, 2025, NIH issued NOT-OD-26-018 to announce that NIH will require use of the Common Forms for the NIH Biographical Sketch Common Form, NIH Biographical Sketch Supplement and Current and Pending (Other) Support for applications due and progress reports submitted on/or after January 25, 2026. These forms must be prepared and certified in SciENcv, then downloaded and provided to OCGA with your other application or progress report materials. If users have initiated but not submitted a change in PD/PI Prior Approval as of January 25, 2026, they must redo the submission. Users who have initiated but not submitted an RPPR submission in eRA Commons as of January 25, 2026 must redo the Participants sections. See our webpage for more information and training resources regarding the NIH Biographical Sketch Common Form and Biographical Sketch Supplement.
Reminder and Update: NIH International Collaboration Funding Structure
On September 12, 2025, NIH issued NOT-OD-25-155 to announce that 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 for applications due on or after January 25, 2026. Proposals for projects that include funded international collaborations will submit applications to a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) that utilizes NIH’s multi-component application package. NIH will issue PF5 (grants), UF5 (cooperative agreements), and RF2/UL2 awards directly to foreign entities, each responsible for their own financial reporting. The first PF5 Parent Opportunity (PA-26-002) is now open, with the first deadline for applications of May 25, 2026. See NOT-OD-25-155 and our webpage for more information.
NIH will Require All Prior Approval Requests to be Submitted in eRA Commons
On January 21, 2026, NIH issued NOT-OD-26-026 to announce that effective 30 days from the notice all prior approval requests must be submitted by a Signing Official (this is OCGA at UCLA) in the eRA Commons Prior Approval Module for all grant and cooperative agreement awards. For prior approval actions not included in the eRA Commons Prior Approval Module, select “Prior Approval – Other Request” and follow the instructions in NOT-OD-26-026. See the notice for more information and details. Most prior approval requests are already submitted through the eRA Commons Prior Approval Module, however, occasionally an NIH GMS or GMO would request that we submit directly to them via email. Our understanding is that this Notice is designed to support a consistent NIH-wide process.
NIH Will No Longer Support Research Using Human Fetal Tissue Form Elected Abortions.
Effective January 22, 2026, NIH funds are not permitted for research using Human Fetal Tissue (HFT) from elective abortions. This Policy applies to all extramural research including competitive applications for grants and cooperative agreements, other transaction awards, and R&D contract proposals submitted to solicitations issued after the effective date of this Notice (NOT-OD-26-028).
For currently funded research projects, organizations may rebudget released funds to support research under the same project that is not unallowable under this Policy. This Notice supersedes the previous HFT research requirements outlined in
For currently funded research projects, organizations may rebudget released funds to support research under the same project that is not unallowable under this Policy. This Notice supersedes the previous HFT research requirements outlined in NOT-OD-19-128 and NOT-OD-21-111.
NIH funds are permitted for use of research involving HFT obtained from miscarriage or stillbirth, which remain subject to requirements outlined in NOT-OD-15-143 and NOT-OD-16-033.
For additional information see the January 22, 2026 NIH Directors Statement.