NIH Projects with International Components: What are they? How do I submit a proposal?

Note this FAQ will continue to be updated as we learn more. 

On September 12, 2025, NIH issued NOT-OD-25-155: New Application Structure for NIH-Funded International Collaborations.

For competing applications requesting funding for one or more foreign components, NIH requires applicants to submit to a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) that supports their new PF5 and UF5 Activity Codes.

As of February 2026, there is one Parent NOFO that supports International Collaborations: PA-26-002 – NIH Collaborative International Research Project (Parent PF5 Clinical Trial Optional).

Projects with International Component / Subprojects

  • NIH award to a domestic entity with independent foreign award(s) linked to the prime award
  • NIH issues (subproject) award directly to foreign entity
  • Supports collaborations that would have been subawards from UW to non-US entities in the past

Applications with International Components: PF5 & UF5 Activity Codes

  • Submit applications with international components as one application. NIH will review as a whole.
  • Primary applicant organization must be domestic and must have at least one foreign subproject.
  • Prior to award, all international subprojects will be disaggregated and awarded directly to the foreign organization as separate awards.

Do not use International Subprojects for:

  • Foreign consultants.
  • Purchasing unique equipment or supplies from foreign vendors.
  • International collaborations that do not involve NIH funding or any foreign component that would not have resulted in a foreign subaward.

Multi-Component Application Requirements

  • Apply to the appropriate activity code that allows international subprojects.
  • PA-26-002: NIH Collaborative International Research Project (Parent PF5 Clinical Trial Optional)
  • Parent UF5 opportunity not released yet (as of 3/09/2026)
  • Follow guidance from NIH in NIH Multi Project Forms guidance & NIH How to Apply Guide. Minimum requirements for proposal:
    • Overall Component: address project’s collaborative objectives
    • Research Project Component: address the scientific & technical directions of the project
    • International Project Component(s): address foreign collaborator’s role on the project.
    • Each foreign component needs a unique International Project component.
    • Include a letter from each foreign organization’s AOR acknowledging that they will fill the role of recipient organization for the disaggregated award.

Managing International Components​

  • Before award issuance: international entities must register in systems described in the application guide.​
  • Split responsibility for international component​
    • NIH = Financial​
    • Prime Recipient (UW) = Programmatic​
      • Each component responsible for their own RPPRs​
      • International project RPPRs must include attestation from domestic prime (PF5) recipient​

NIH has not provided additional details. We will share more information as we have it. ​

Resources

Updated 3/09/2026