NIH Guide Notices for 12-05-2025 (The NIH Guide TOC)

Dear Colleagues:

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) issued the following policy notices at the end of last week. If you have any questions, please contact your Federal Contracts and Grants Officer (https://research.uci.edu/about-or/contact/staff-by-dept-assignment/) or me at warnerj@uci.edu.

• Research Security Training Requirements for NIH
  (NOT-OD-26-017)
  National Institutes of Health

“This notice notifies the extramural community of the NIH implementation of the Research Security Training (RST) requirements outlined in the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022 (P.L. 117-167).

In accordance with Section 10634 of Act, each covered individual (for NIH this is defined as senior/key personnel) listed on an NIH grant application must certify that they have completed RST within 12 months of the date of application submission.

Effective Date: At this time, the research security training requirement is optional. Completion of RST and the individual and institutional certifications will be effective for applications submitted for due dates on or after May 25, 2026.”

The Office of Research will provide more information about the Research Security Training Requirements in the coming months.

• NIHs Implementation of Common Forms for Biographical Sketch and Current and Pending (Other) Support for Due Dates on or after January 25, 2026
  (NOT-OD-26-018)
  National Institutes of Health

“In an effort to support strong collaboration between Federal research agencies, NIH is adopting the Common Forms for Biographical Sketch and Current and Pending (Other) Support as per the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) memorandum on Policy Regarding Use of Common Disclosure Forms. 

A table entitled, NSPM-33 Implementation Guidance Pre- and Post-award Disclosures Relating to the Biographical Sketch and Current and Pending (Other) Support for NIH will be posted on Common Forms for Biographical Sketch and Current and Pending (Other) Support that provides helpful reference information regarding pre-award and post-award disclosures. 

Use of the Common Forms for Biographical Sketch, Current and Pending (Other) Support and NIH Biographical Sketch Supplement will be required for application due dates and all JIT, RPPR, and Prior Approval submissions on or after January 25, 2026.”

• Updated Application Policies: NIH Administrative Burden Reduction Effort Removal of Requirements for Letters of Intent and Unsolicited Applications Requesting $500,000 or More in Direct Costs
  (NOT-OD-26-019)
  National Institutes of Health

“Effective immediately NIH will no longer request or accept Letters of Intent (LOIs) as part of the application process. 

Effective immediately, NIH will no longer require applicants requesting $500,000 or more in direct costs (excluding consortium F&A costs) in any one budget period to contact the funding Institute or Center (IC) before application submission. In line with this change, applicants are no longer required to include a cover letter identifying the Program Official contact which notes that the IC has agreed to accept assignment of the application.”

Regards,