From Vice Chancellor for Research Collard

Dear Colleagues,

I continue to get many requests for updates on our federal research funding situation. October marks the start of a new federal fiscal year (FY) and provides an opportunity to reflect more broadly on this issue and its implications for research at UCSF.

There are some important differences across federal funding agencies. For brevity, I will focus here on the NIH, but please know that my office is engaged across all agencies and working to support those of you who leverage them. Please contact me if you have specific concerns.

The end of FY26 brings several things to celebrate. FY26 funding levels to researchers and institutions were sustained by Congress; all FY26 NIH dollars were distributed to extramural research projects, and the number of FY26 project terminations and suspensions, which caused major disruptions in FY25, was minimal. At UCSF, this has translated into a stable FY26 award profile. Encouragingly, both the number and value of new NIH awards (i.e., competing proposals) have rebounded from declines in FY25. 

While these results demonstrate the continued strength and competitiveness of UCSF research, they do not tell the full story of FY26. 

FY26 saw substantial delays in the receipt of NIH awards (i.e., Notices of Award, or NOAs), creating months of uncertainty for investigators and meaningfully slowing research activity across UCSF. I know firsthand from many of you how difficult it was to make decisions about research programs, staff, and trainees while awaiting delayed funding.  

Across UCSF, research spending on federal awards (all agencies combined) was down 8% compared to FY25—a direct consequence of these delays and the uncertainty they created for researchers. Because UCSF receives facilities and administrative (F&A) reimbursement only once direct research dollars are spent, F&A cost recovery also declined last year. 

These FY26 numbers show quantitatively what we all felt qualitatively. Research funding at UCSF slowed in FY26, forcing researchers to adjust by reducing their research programs. The impact of this has been profound on our faculty, our staff, our trainees, and the pace of discovery at the heart of our research mission. 

As I look ahead to FY27, I am optimistic. Critically, FY26 NOAs have arrived, allowing researchers to reinvest in their research programs. Absent any new agency challenges, NIH award timelines should normalize, and the number of new awards should continue to increase as the effects of the transition to forward funding diminish. And regardless of the outcome of the midterm elections, I expect Congress will continue to demonstrate bipartisan support for biomedical research funding. 

UCSF enters FY27 with a remarkable and resilient research community and reason to be optimistic that federal funding will be more reliable and robust. My priority remains ensuring that UCSF researchers have the environment and support they need to pursue their best science through improving operations here at home and influencing policy decisions that affect UCSF researchers in Washington, DC. 

As always, I welcome comments and questions about this topic or UCSF research more generally at research@ucsf.edu. 

Yours, 

Hal 

Harold R. Collard, MD, MS 

Vice Chancellor for Research 

Professor of Medicine and Health Policy

Apply Now: Science and Healthcare Advocates for Research Policy (SHARP) Program

Early- to mid-career faculty interested in health or science policy can apply for UCSF’s yearlong SHARP program, where participants will build advocacy skills, learn how to influence federal policy affecting biomedical research, and engage directly with policymakers in Washington, DC, with program travel expenses covered.

Federal Research Updates

New Guidance for CIRM-Funded Projects with Out-of-State Subawards 

Faculty planning CIRM proposals with out-of-state subawards should engage OSR early. New UCOP guidance includes requirements regarding where CIRM-funded research may be conducted, the assignment of intellectual property and data, and publication rights, which may require institutional exceptions and additional negotiation time. CIRM’s new Award Management Policy also applies to awards contracted on or after Oct. 1, 2026. Review the Out-of-State Subaward CIRM considerations and connect with OSR early in the proposal process. 

NIH Operating Under a Continuing Resolution 

NIH has issued NOT-OD-26-131, which outlines funding policies, while the federal government operates under a continuing resolution through December 11, 2026. NIH may fund non-competing continuation awards below the amounts indicated in the most recent Notice of Award, with possible adjustments after final FY2027 appropriations are enacted.

In Case You Missed It: GAO Finds AHRQ Funds Were Illegally Withheld

A recent AcademyHealth article examines the U.S. Government Accountability Office’s finding that federal funds appropriated to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) were unlawfully withheld, and what the decision means for health services research.

Important Reminders from the Office of Sponsored Research (OSR) 

• NIH Loan Repayment Programs (LRPs): Eligible researchers conducting NIH mission-relevant research may qualify for repayment of a portion of their educational debt; applications are submitted through NIH ASSIST—see the LRP Resource Guide or contact OSRInfo@ucsf.edu for eRA Commons access. 



• NIH Data Management and Sharing Plans: As of FY2027, NIH requires Data Management and Sharing Plans for all awards and applications; updated guidance and support are available from the UCSF Library. Review DMS Plan resources.

Reminder: New Grant Proposal Intake Process

The Smartsheet Proposal Notification Intake Form is now required for federal and nonprofit proposals, supplements, progress reports, and incoming subawards. This new process supports a more consistent intake and reduces the communication required to keep things moving forward, especially during high-volume periods.

From the Office of Research Units

Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI)

The CTSI Clinical Research Hub is a new program dedicated to strengthening clinical research operations, navigation, training, and participant recruitment and retention across UCSF. Through four interconnected areas of expertise, the Hub provides coordinated support, resources, and training that help investigators, study teams, and research staff conduct efficient, innovative, and impactful clinical research. Learn more »

Campus Updates

2026 UCSF State of the University Address (SOTU)

Chancellor Sam Hawgood will deliver his annual SOTU address on Nov. 5, sharing his perspective on UCSF’s trajectory, challenges and opportunities ahead, and how the university is building for the future. Plan to watch the livestream »

UCSF Office of Opportunity and Outreach

Explore history through the 2027 Alabama Justice Pilgrimage: Join UCSF and GLIDE for an immersive five-day professional development experience exploring how U.S. history continues to shape health, economic opportunity, and the criminal justice system. Open to eligible UCSF faculty and staff. Applications are now open through November 13, 2026. Learn more and apply »

UCSF Real Estate

Parnassus Heights construction advances with major milestones at BRAB, the Helen Diller Hospital, Parnassus Commons, and more. Read the October Parnassus Heights construction update »

UCSF Occupational Health Services | Flu Shot Documentation Due Nov. 1

UCSF faculty, staff, students and volunteers must document their 2026–27 flu vaccination or submit a declination by November 1. Flu clinics are now available at UCSF locations.

Learn more »

UCSF Advocates: Protect Federal Research and Merit-Based Funding 

In May 2026, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) proposed significant revisions to the Uniform Guidance, which are the federal regulations that govern how grants and cooperative agreements are awarded and managed by federal agencies. The proposed changes, if enacted, would have significant impacts on federal research agencies, research institutions, and federally funded investigators. 

Congress has temporarily blocked the proposed rule from being implemented. A provision in the current continuing resolution, which extended Fiscal Year 2026 funding levels, prohibits OMB from finalizing, issuing, or enforcing the proposed rule through December 11, 2026. 



We must urge Congress to establish a permanent legislative prohibition in the upcoming full-year appropriations bill before OMB is cleared to finalize and enforce these regulations. 

UCSF Library Webinar: Open Access and NIH Public Access Requirements (Oct. 21)

Learn about recent changes to NIH and other federal funders’ public access policies on Oct. 21 at 11 a.m. The session will cover NIH’s new Public Access Policy, UCSF's publishing agreements, and possible changes to the use of grant funds for publication costs.