NIH FAQs

Updated 6/02/2026

Contents

Limits on Proposals

Q1: Can I use AI in proposal development?
A1: We recommend limited use of AI. Please refer to any guidance your school or department has provided on AI usage.

Update 8/01/2025: NIH FAQs on Supporting Fairness and Originality in NIH Research Applications (NOT-OD-25-132)

Q2: How can I find out how many proposals I have submitted to ensure I don’t have more than 6?
A2: You can use the NIH Application Tracker to review NIH submissions per calendar year, per individual. This report is also available via the RAD Group Reports SharePoint site.

The report includes eGC1s for new, renewal, resubmission, or revisions with NIH deadline dates during the current calendar year. Individuals are listed on the report if they are named as the following roles on the SAGE eGC1: PI, Multiple PI or Application PI. Activity code, such as “R01”, is listed when available in SAGE.

Please note, mentors listed on an NIH application but as a PI in SAGE will not have that application counted as one of the 6 NIH submissions allowed for that individual. Fellows listed as PI in the NIH application but as Application PI in SAGE would have that application counted as one of the 6 NIH submissions allowed for that fellow.

Questions about the report data? Email grantrpt@uw.edu

List of UW Awards Impacted by Litigation

Review the list of Impacted UW awards:

As with all advance spend, expenditures ahead of formal reinstatement pose a risk. The PI will be responsible for any costs that are subsequently not allowed by the sponsor.

Q3: If we already had a 30-day advance for a late/delayed non-competing renewal on the list, can we request another advance extension?
A3: Yes.

International Collaborations

Q1: What is NIH’s new application structure for international collaborations?
A1: 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 will require that applicants submit to a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) that supports complex mechanism activity codes for International Project component types such as new Activity Codes PF5 and UF5. These applications must also follow NIH’s multi-component or complex application package instructions.

On January 20, 2026, NIH posted PA-26-002: NIH Collaborative International Research Project (Parent PF5 Clinical Trial Optional)

PF5/UF5 applicants will be expected to provide:

  • An Overall Component addressing collaborative project’s overall objectives
  • A Research Project Component addressing the project’s scientific and technical direction
  • An International Project Component detailing the role of each foreign collaborator

Each foreign collaborator must be represented by a separate International Project Component. If an application involves multiple foreign collaborators, it must include multiple International Components.

PF5 leadership must include:

  • At least one PD/PI from the primary applicant organization, and
  • At least one individual from each of the International Projects, who will serve as the PD/PI of the corresponding Linked International Research Project award

Should a project be selected for funding, NIH will issue a PF5 or UF5 award to the domestic organization and an RF2 or UL2 award to the foreign organizations. Each organization will be responsible for ensuring the terms and conditions of their Notices of Award are met.

Each recipient organization will be responsible for their own financial reporting (NIHGPS 8.4.1) moving forward.
Review more information from NIH in NOT-OD-25-155: New Application Structure for NIH-Funded International Collaborations.

NIH is planning to develop resources, FAQs, and training on the new activity codes and application structure and process.
We will share more information as it becomes available.

Q2:  What about foreign components that would not have been supported by a subaward, such as a foreign consultant?
A2: Foreign components other than those previously supported by subawards or consortia agreements (e.g., foreign consultants, international travel) may continue to be supported through other activity codes unless otherwise indicated in the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). Prior approval requirements are still in effect.

Foreign  Consultants

Q: How are foreign consultants impacted by this guidance?
A: NOT-OD-25-155 states that this policy does not apply to funds provided to support foreign consultants. For Uniform Guidance guidance on distinction, please see the difference between a vendor/contractor and a subrecipient.

Other NIH FAQs