This page provides the UCSF research community with up-to-date guidance on federal agency policies and directives. UCSF leadership is actively engaged in monitoring this rapidly evolving landscape. We are updating this page as new information becomes available.
Please note: If you are having trouble viewing the information below and do not see a prompt to log into UCSF My Access, please visit the My Access main page and try logging in there first. If you receive a "stale request" notice, clear your web browser's cache and refresh this page to see a My Access log-in prompt.
Research Policy Updates
New Research Grant Proposal Intake Process Now in Effect
UCSF researchers submitting federal or nonprofit grant proposals, supplements, incoming subawards, or progress reports must now use the new Smartsheet Proposal Notification Intake Form. The new process provides a simpler, more consistent submission experience, with less back-and-forth and better visibility, while preserving researchers’ relationships with their pre-award staff. OSR resources are available to support the transition, and researchers can also contact OSR or attend the September 1 office hours with questions. Read the August 25 message from Vice Chancellor for Research Collard to learn more.
NIH Seeks Input on Changes to Peer Review Reporting
(NOT-OD-26-088) NIH is seeking public input on proposed changes to how peer review outcomes are reported, including replacing final overall impact scores and percentiles with broader categories. Researchers and other stakeholders can weigh in on how these changes could affect the clarity and usefulness of peer review results. Submit feedback by October 13.
NIH Replaces Letters of Support with Letters of Collaboration
(NOT-OD-26-094) Beginning with NIH Form J in NIH Fiscal Year 2027, NIH will replace Letters of Support with Letters of Collaboration to reduce administrative burden. Letters will be limited to documenting a collaborator's intent to participate or provide material support, must be 100 words or fewer, and may not include application endorsements. Applications that continue to include traditional Letters of Support after implementation may be returned without review. Learn more.
ATTN: Animal Researchers with DoW/DoD Funding
Research funded by the Department of War (formerly the Department of Defense) must now be maintained on a separate IACUC protocol from non-DoW-funded work. PIs should plan ahead for upcoming ACURO review deadlines. Learn more and contact IACUC with questions.
New ClinicalTrials.gov Common Errors Webpage Available
Researchers registering protocols in ClinicalTrials.gov can use this new UCSF resource to avoid common errors, such as using vague outcome measures, entering incorrect study completion dates, omitting required interventions or study locations, and leaving acronyms undefined. Review common errors and corrections.
NIH Updates Data Management and Sharing Plan Requirements
(NOT-OD-26-100) Beginning in FY 2027, NIH will require all awards and applications subject to the Data Management and Sharing (DMS) Policy to use the updated DMS Plan format, regardless of when the application was submitted. NIH will also eliminate the prior approval requirement for changes to approved DMS Plans; instead, recipients will report updates through the Research Performance Progress Report (RPPR) beginning October 1, 2026. Learn more about this notice and visit the UCSF Library’s DMS Plan page for the latest information.
New USG Policy Establishes Oversight for High-Risk Life Sciences Research
(NOT-OD-26-101) NIH has announced a new U.S. Government Policy for Stopping High-Risk Life Sciences Research, which prohibits federal funding for dangerous gain-of-function (DGOF) research and establishes new oversight requirements for high-risk life sciences research, including certain international research activities. Existing pauses on potential DGOF research remain in effect while federal agencies develop implementation guidance, expected within 120 days. Research institutions receiving federal life sciences funding will be required to comply with the new policy and forthcoming NIH guidance. More information will be coming when NIH guidance is released. Learn more.
From the UCSF Office of Ethics and Compliance: Research Security Reminder for Foreign Relationships and Restricted Parties
Federal research sponsors are increasingly adopting requirements that may restrict or prohibit certain collaborations, appointments, research support, and other relationships involving entities identified on U.S. government restricted or proscribed party lists.
Researchers must ensure that proposed and ongoing activities comply with applicable sponsor and institutional requirements and that required disclosures of foreign relationships, affiliations, appointments, research support, and collaborations are accurate, complete, and up to date. Learn more and contact [email protected] with questions.
More from the Office of Sponsored Research
- NOT-OD-26-098: NIH is updating its Career Development (K) Award programs, including consolidating individual K funding opportunities and clarifying requirements for clinical trial activities, with changes applying to due dates on or after October 12, 2027.
- NOT-DA-26-014: Request for Information: Inviting Input on National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA's) Strategic Plan for 2027-2031. (Deadline: September 21)
- NOT-OD-26-095: Request for Information: NIH is seeking input on potential funding approaches to support the development of future clinical trial investigators, including approaches that would allow mentored K award recipients to serve as principal investigators of clinical trials. (Deadline: September 30)
- NOT-RM-26-004: Request for Information: NIH Common Fund is Soliciting Ideas for NIH-wide Challenges and Opportunities. (Deadline: September 19)
Leadership Messages
Visit our leadership messages page for the latest federal science policy updates and other important Office of Research updates from Vice Chancellor for Research Harold Collard.