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.
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Research Policy Updates
National NIH FY26 Award Numbers Are Slowly Improving
The number of extramural NIH research awards is slowly improving for Federal FY26 (starting October 2025), based on data from the NIH RePORTER website (see figure). The primary reason for the low numbers to date is last Fall's 43-day government shutdown that resulted in over 350 canceled study sections and an enormous administrative backlog.
The most impacted award category remains new awards (i.e., Type 1), which are 40% lower than last year. At UCSF, our new NIH award data mirror this national data. The NIH is working hard to process pending awards and expects continued acceleration of numbers over the coming months. This should translate into many of our faculty finally receiving the expected notices of awards.
Updated FAQ: New NIH PF5 International Collaboration Mechanism
The NIH has introduced a new Parent Funding Opportunity (PA-26-002) for the Collaborative International Research Project (PF5) mechanism, featuring a linked-award structure that replaces traditional international subcontracts and supports coordinated research across U.S. and global partners. Access the updated FAQ and a recording of the latest webinar to learn more. Contact Catherine Dunn (OSR) for PF5-specific questions and Nicole Hobbs (IGHS) for questions regarding Global Programs support, budget options, and international partner structures and opportunities.
Updated NIH FAQs for Biosketch and Common Forms
As of May 11, NIH updated several Common Form FAQs related to Biographical Sketches, Current and Pending (Other) Support, research security certifications, SciENcv requirements, formatting guidance, and disclosure requirements. Review the updated FAQs to ensure compliance with current NIH application and RPPR requirements.
New NIH FY 2026 Policies
(NOT-OD-26-059) The new funding guidance provides important updates, including:
- FY26 Funding Levels: Non-competing continuation awards will generally be issued at the committed level identified in the Notice of Award. Future budget periods remain subject to the availability of appropriations, satisfactory progress, compliance with award terms and conditions, and federal program priorities.
- Multi-Year Funding Authority: A new provision allowing NIH to continue certain multi-year funding practices at levels consistent with FY25 for grants, cooperative agreements, contracts, and other funding mechanisms. NIH Institutes, Centers, and Offices (ICOs) will issue institute-specific fiscal policies aligned with available funding and program priorities.
- NRSA Stipend Increase of approximately 2% for predoctoral and postdoctoral trainees.
Review the full guidance to understand how these updates may impact your awards.
Reminder: Common Forms Required Through SciENcv
While currently in a leniency period, the NIH Biographical Sketch and Current and Pending Other Support Commons Forms requirements become mandatory for applications due on or after May 25. Other federal agencies now require Biographical Sketch and Current & Pending Support forms generated in SciENcv using agency-specific templates. Learn more, contact OSR with questions, and see the OSR Biosketch resources.
NIH Implementation of Uniform Administrative Requirements for Federal Financial Assistance
NIH previously announced NOT-OD-25-059 with updates to the MTDC thresholds and de minimus rate, but both have been reverted back with NOT-OD-26-072. Investigators should continue following the current UCSF negotiated indirect cost practices. The de minimus indirect cost rate has been reverted to 10%.
Reminder: New Data Management and Sharing Plan Format
NIH released a new 2026 Pilot Data Management and Sharing (DMS) Plan format that is for all applications due on or after May 25, 2026. Although the form has not yet received OMB clearance, NIH has indicated that the pilot form will still be required for upcoming submissions. Applications due before that date may use either the 2023 or 2026 format. Review the available guidance from the UCSF Library and the NIH.
More from the Office of Sponsored Research
- For applications due on or after May 25, 2026, Basic Experimental Studies with Humans (BESH) will no longer be classified as clinical trials. Review the updated requirements. (NOT-OD-26-067)
- NIH has introduced a new eRA Commons feature allowing users to consolidate multiple accounts into a single linked set of credentials.
- Reminder: 2025 NIH guidance (NOT-OD-25-132) limits the use of AI-generated content in applications and caps most Principal Investigators at six NIH applications per calendar year. Review NIH FAQs and guidance on what AI situations NIH may consider non-compliant and what is allowed in applications.
- NIH will continue temporary peer-review modifications, including reducing the percentage of applications discussed through the October 2026 Advisory Council to address review backlogs resulting from the 2025 federal funding lapse (NOT-OD-26-069).
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.