New NIH Notices Released
On December 2 and 3, 2025, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) issued two important notices that impact application submission and disclosure requirements. This communication serves as an informational update.
NOT-OD-26-019: Updated Application Policies – NIH Administrative Burden Reduction – Removal of Requirements for Letters of Intent and Unsolicited Applications Requesting $500,000 or More in Direct Costs
Key Points:
- Effective immediately, NIH will no longer request or accept Letters of Intent (LOIs) for any Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO).
- NIH has also removed the prior approval requirement for applications requesting $500,000 or more in direct costs in any one budget period.
- Applicants are no longer required to contact an Institute or Center before submission or include a cover letter documenting IC agreement.
- All active NOFOs with these requirements are superseded; NIH will update the Application Guide and Grants Policy Statement accordingly.
- Read the full notice
NOT-OD-26-018: NIH’s Implementation of Common Forms for Biographical Sketch and Current and Pending (Other) Support
Key Points:
- Effective January 25, 2026, NIH will require use of Common Forms for Biographical Sketch and Current and Pending (Other) Support, plus a new NIH Biographical Sketch Supplement.
- Forms must be generated and certified in SciENcv; each senior/key person must personally certify accuracy and confirm they are not a party to a Malign Foreign Talent Recruitment Program (MFTRP).
- Institutions must maintain internal controls and provide training on disclosure policies.
- Incorrect form use will trigger eRA warnings starting January 25, 2026; these become submission-blocking errors on February 6, 2026.
- Applies to all applications, JIT, RPPR, and Prior Approval submissions on or after January 25, 2026.
- Read the full notice