NIH Proposals and Foreign Subawards PLUS new requirements to use Prior Approval Module for ALL requests
Memo sent to RAC 1/21/26
Hello All,
As a follow-up to the message appended below, the first NOFO PA-26-002 has been released that allows for the inclusion of funded foreign collaborations (previously issued as subawards) under the new structure. Please read the NOFO carefully.
A few key points:
- Please see the NOFO for all deadline dates. The earliest submission date under this NOFO is April 25, 2026.
- Please continue to use UMB's current F & A rate agreement for budget preparation. The NOFO references calculating indirect costs on the first $50,000 of domestic subawards. UMB’s current rate agreement only allows for F&A on the first $25,000 of subs and the new $50,000 limit should not be used at this time.
- It is critical that applicants follow the Multi-Project (M) Instructions in the How to Apply - Application Guide, except where instructed to do otherwise (in the NOFO or in a Notice from the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts).
Another important notice from NIH was released today: NIH Requires Use of the eRA Prior Approval Module for the Submission of ALL Prior Approval Requests
More info here: https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-26-026.html.
Please contact the appropriate SPA team with any questions.
Thank you,
Jill
Jill A. Frankenfield
Associate Vice President, Sponsored Programs Administration
Memo sent to RAC 1/12/26
Dear Colleagues:
In September, NIH issued NOT-OD-25-155 to introduce a new application structure for grants with foreign subawards. The new structure will utilize NIH’s multi-component or complex application package. This will require submission of these proposals via ASSIST. These proposals cannot be submitted via the KR S2S capabilities.
Effective for grant submissions with due dates on or after January 25, 2026, competing applications must be in response to a funding opportunity using a new grant type when requesting NIH funding for one or more foreign components.
Descriptions for the new grant types are on the NIH Activity Codes webpage:
- PF5: Collaborative International Research Project (awarded directly to domestic organization)
- UF5: Cooperative Agreement Equivalent
- RF2: Linked International Research Project (awarded directly to the foreign organization)
- UL2: Cooperative Agreement Equivalent
A forecasted PA-26-002 PF5 Parent Announcement has been posted but other NOFOs are yet to be released.
As of today, January 12, 2025, there are not any NOFOs or activity codes to submit to for foreign collaborations (previously supported as a foreign subaward/supplement).
Foreign components like consultants or international travel may remain eligible under other activity codes unless specified in future NOFOs.
More information can be found here: https://grants.nih.gov/news-events/nih-extramural-nexus-news/2025/09/announcing-new-application-and-award-structure-for-nih-funded-international-collaborations-replacing-foreign-subawards.
Please direct any questions to SPA. We will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available.
Thank you,
Jill
Jill A. Frankenfield
Associate Vice President, Sponsored Programs Administration