NIH guidance

Research announcements policy briefings
× R15 REAP Eligibility : SIU School of Medicine remains eligible for NIH R15 REAP funding, but clinical trials will no longer be included in active FOAs starting spring 2025.

Recent NIH policy updates

  • Early Stage Investigator (ESI) eligibility
    • NIH has issued a short-term extension to the ESI eligibility period to accommodate disruptions in research progress. (NOT-OD-25-114)
  • NRSA childcare cost clarification
    • Updated procedures clarify how institutions can request and manage childcare costs for NRSA institutional training awards. (NOT-OD-25-100)
  • Public Access Policy - effective date moved up
    • The revised NIH Public Access Policy will now take effect on July 1, 2025, earlier than initially announced. (NOT-OD-25-101)
  • Biological research safety guidance
    • NIH has released new implementation guidance aimed at strengthening biosafety and biosecurity practices for funded research. (NOT-OD-25-112)
  • No-Cost extension process simplified
    • NIH has revised its internal process for handling no-cost extensions to reduce the administrative burden on grantees. (NOT-OD-25-110)
  • Peer review criteria simplified (effective Jan. 25, 2025)
    • NIH will implement a new peer review framework for most R-series and U-series grants, focusing on three core factors: Importance, Rigor, and Feasibility. The updated criteria aim to improve clarity and reduce redundancy. No changes to application forms are required, but applicants should align their narratives accordingly. More info from NIH 

Foreign Collaboration Policy Changes

New policy on foreign dub awards – effective May 1, 2025
NIH will not issue new, renewal, or non-competing continuation awards that include foreign sub awards. This policy is in place until a new award structure is introduced (expected by Sept. 30, 2025) that will allow NIH to track foreign subrecipient funds independently.
This policy does not apply to:

  • Direct foreign awards
  • Foreign consultants
  • Purchases from foreign vendors

FOR MORE DETAILS: NOT-OD-25-104

Reminder: Foreign Justification attachment requirement
Any NIH application involving foreign components must include a Foreign Justification attachment. This applies even if no NIH funds are being sent abroad.

  • Upload in Field 12 (“Other Attachments”) of the SF-424 R&R form
  • Title the document: Foreign Justification
  • Clearly explain why the foreign collaboration is essential
  • Applications missing this attachment will be withdrawn and not reviewed

Refer to NOT-OD-25-098 for full guidance.