Memo sent to RAC 4/1/26
Hello RAC,
Some important updates from NIH:
Update of NIH Late Application Submission Policy and End of Continuous Submission
NOT-OD-26-064
End of Continuous Submission
NIH greatly appreciates the time and service of those who serve on our review and advisory groups. We intended the continuous submission policy to allow applications with PD/PIs providing review service to be submitted at any time. In practice, the Council assignment deadline became a de facto due date - sometimes as much as nine weeks after the submission deadline. The submission delays have led to inefficiencies in application referral and peer review.
As a result, we are ending the Continuous Submission Policy and updating the Late Application Submission Policy to designate participation in a recent review or advisory group meeting as an acceptable reason for late submission.
We will accept Continuous Submission applications through August 10, 2026 (the end of the continuous submission receipt period for the June/July standard due dates) for assignment to January 2027 Council.
Updated Late Application Submission Policy
The updated Late Application Submission Policy is effective for applications submitted for due dates on or after May 25, 2026.
Please see the linked notice for more information.
Prior Approval Requirement for Changes to Domestic Subawards
NOT-OD-26-062
Effective June 1, 2026, all prime recipients are required to obtain NIH prior approval when adding a new domestic subaward to a project post-award, when the arrangement was not originally a part of the peer-reviewed and approved application. These requests must be submitted in the eRA Commons Prior Approval Module using the “Other Request” type.
Publication of the Revised NIH Grants Policy Statement (Rev. March 2026) for Fiscal Year 2026
NOT-OD-26-057
Download this document for the summary of significant changes to the NIHGPS for March 2026.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Thank you,
Jill
Jill A. Frankenfield
Associate Vice President, Sponsored Programs Administration