Sponsors often have specific requirements for applicants and proposals. These may include mandatory training, required forms, and submission protocols. To ensure compliance:
- Review all applicable sponsor materials, including:
- Program solicitations
- General sponsor guidelines
- Sponsor policies
- Additional resources
- Confirm UCLA’s role in the proposal:
- If UCLA is a subrecipient, follow both the prime applicant’s (pass-through entity) and the prime sponsor’s guidelines.
- Check sponsor instructions carefully for:
- Eligibility criteria
- Proposal formatting
- Budget requirements
- Submission deadlines
Common Sponsors
Read the notice of funding opportunity (NOFO), NIH General Instructions (How to Apply), NIH Grants Policy Statement, and other applicable guidelines.
NIH adopted use of the Common Forms for the Biographical Sketch, Biographical Sketch Supplement and Current and Pending (other) Support for applications and Research Performance Progress Reports (RPPRs) due on or after January 25, 2026 (NOT-OD-26-018). These forms must be prepared and certified in SciENcv, then downloaded and provided as a PDF to OCGA with the other submission materials. Everyone listed as senior/key person or Other Significant contributors must have an eRA Commons ID that is linked to the ORCID iD they use in SciENcv.
NIH encourages applicants to use the Common Form but will accept the prior forms to the end of the May 2026 leniency period due to technical issues (NOT-OD-26-033). NIH will require use of the Common Forms for applications due on or after and May 8, 2026, and Just-In-Time (JIT), Research Performance Progress Report (RPPR), and Prior Approval submissions submitted on or after May 8, 2026 (NOT-OD-26-079).
Effective January 25, 2026, participation in a Malign Foreign Talent Recruitment Program (MFTRP) makes an individual ineligible to serve as senior/key personnel on an NIH grant or cooperative agreement. Individuals will certify in the biographical sketch and annually in Research Performance Progress Reports (RPPRs) (NOT-OD-26-018).
Guidance and Forms
- How to Apply | NIH General Instructions and Forms
- NIH Grants Policy Statement | NIH
- NIH Biographical Sketch Common Form | NIH
- NIH Biographical Sketch Supplement | NIH
- NIH Biographical Sketch Common Form and Biographical Sketch Supplement| OCGA
- Current and Pending (Other) Support Disclosure | OCGA
- NIH Other Support | NIH
- NIH Current and Pending (Other) Support Common Form | NIH
- View the following videos prepared by OCGA for assistance:
- NIH Pre-award Disclosures Relating to Biographical Sketch and Other Support | NIH
- Financial Conflict of Interest (FCOI) Disclosures | FCOI Decision Tool
- NOT-OD-25-155: New Application Structure for NIH-Funded International Collaborations | NIH
- NIH Foreign Engagement and Influence | OCGA
- NIH Data Management and Sharing | NIH
- Preparing a NIH Multi-Project Application in ASSIST | Monthly OCGA Training
Mandatory Training
Beginning October 1, 2025, prior to submitting Other Support reports, everyone identified as senior key personnel must complete Other Support Training. Other Support reporting may be required with certain NIH applications or as part of Just-in-Time (JIT) requests or Research Performance Progress Reports (RPPR).
These requirements can be met by completing one of the options below.
- Research Security at the University of California (Job Aid)
- NSF Consolidated Research Security Training Module (approx. 1 hour) available on the NSF SECURE Center site
- The “UC Ethics and Compliance Briefing for Researchers” (approx. 1 hour)
NIH will require senior key personnel complete Research Security Training (RST) before submitting applications due on or after May 25, 2026. This requirement will also satisfy the Other Support training and can be met by completing one of the options below.
- Research Security at the University of California (Job Aid)
- NSF Consolidated Research Security Training Module (approx. 1 hour) available on the NSF SECURE Center site
Review the funding announcement, proposal preparation highlights, NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG) and other associated guidelines for instructions on preparing and submitting proposals.
Guidance and Forms
- Preparing Your Proposal
- NSF Proposal Award Policies & Procedure Guide (PAPPG) 24-1
- Policy Notice: Implementation of Policy Changes to Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide (PAPPG) 24-1, Supplement 1
- NCURA YouTube Tuesday - Sections of an NSF Proposal: References Cited
- Financial Conflict of Interest (FCOI) Disclosures | FCOI Decision Tool
- Current and Pending (Other) Support Disclosure
- Research.gov
- Research.gov Basics | Monthly OCGA Training
Research Security Training
From October 10, 2025, mandatory Research Security Training is required for everyone identified as senior key/personnel prior to proposal submission and annually thereafter.
This requirement can be met by completing one of the options below.
- Research Security at the University of California (Job Aid)
- NSF Consolidated Research Security Training Module (approx. 1 hour) available on the NSF SECURE Center site
Review the funding opportunity and associated guidelines to identify the proposal requirements.
Guidance and Forms
- General Application Instructions for the Department of Defense: Defense Health Program (Version CD25_01)
- 2026 DoW Component Decision Matrix to Information Fundamental Research Proposal Mitigation Decisions
- Financial Conflict of Interest (FCOI) Disclosures | FCOI Decision Tool
- Current and Pending (Other) Support Disclosure
Read the funding opportunity and associated guidelines to identify the proposal requirements.
Guidance and Forms
- Effective December 2, 2025, DOE will include Data Management and Sharing Policy will be included in Notices of Funding Opportunities (Policy Flash 2026-07)
- Effective December 2, 2025, DOE will implement the Common Forms electronically via the SciENcv system
- Current and Pending (Other) Support Disclosure
- DOE Foreign Engagement and Influence
- Financial Conflict of Interest (FCOI) Disclosures | FCOI Decision Tool
Research Security Training
From May 1, 2025 mandatory Research Security Training (Job Aid) is required for all Covered Individuals prior to proposal submission and annually thereafter. Learn more about the DOE requirement.
Read the funding opportunity and associated guidelines to identify the proposal requirements.
Guidance and Forms
- NASA Grant and Cooperative Agreement Manual
- Principal Investigator Resources
- NASA/STScI Questionnaire and Certification re: China Funding Restriction for grants and cooperative agreements| UCLA Box Login Required
- NASA China Funding Restriction form for contracts | UCLA Box Login Required
- Resources and Training for New Grantees
- Biosketch and Current and Pending Support Requirements for Proposals | YouTube
- Financial Conflict of Interest (FCOI) Disclosures | FCOI Decision Tool
- Current and Pending (Other) Support Disclosure
- National Solicitation and Proposal Integrated Review and Evaluation System (NSPIRES)
Research Security Training
Effective August 5, 2026 mandatory Research Security Training is required for all Covered Individuals prior to proposal submission and annually thereafter. See GIC 26-02 for the definition of Covered Individuals and for details.
This requirement can be met by completing one of the options below.
- Research Security at the University of California (Job Aid)
- NSF Consolidated Research Security Training Module (approx. 1 hour) available on the NSF SECURE Center site
Read the funding opportunity and associated guidelines to identify the proposal requirements.
Guidance and Forms
Read the funding opportunity and associated guidelines to identify the proposal requirements.
Guidance and Forms