From Vice Chancellor for Research Collard

Dear Colleagues,

I’m writing to share a brief update on FY26 NIH Notice of Award (NOA) activity and what we are seeing both at UCSF and nationally.

April data show NIH now keeping pace with prior years’ rates of NOA distribution, and we are seeing an increasing number of NOAs arrive at UCSF’s Office of Sponsored Research. However, the overall FY26 NOA numbers remain below last year’s levels - 13% lower at UCSF and 16% lower nationally. The shortfall is much more pronounced for competing awards (NIH Type 1 and 2 awards), which are down 30% at UCSF and 25% nationwide. 

We are also seeing variation in FY26 NOA releases across NIH’s Institutes and Centers (ICs), contributing to uneven experiences for faculty. For those interested in the IC-specific data, the Grant Witness website includes detailed visualizations of these trends. (The same information is available from NIH RePORTER, but requires some advanced searching.) 

Source: NIH RePORTER

Although NIH leadership remains committed to distributing all of its FY26 funding by September 30, there remains some uncertainty about whether all awards can be processed on that timeline. Recent reporting in Nature, along with conversations I have had with the NIH, points to staffing constraints at several ICs as a contributing factor, with reduced workforce capacity affecting the pace at which approved NOAs can be processed. 

I am hopeful that the coming months will show a bend in the FY26 NOA curve toward FY25 numbers. UCSF continues to follow this issue and advocate for remedies in Washington, DC. Thank you for your continued resilience in this challenging time. 

Sincerely, 

Hal 

Harold R. Collard, MD, MS 

Vice Chancellor for Research 

Professor of Medicine and Health Policy

New Date: July 21 Office of Research Town Hall

Join Vice Chancellor for Research Harold Collard at the next Office of Research Town Hall for the latest updates on federal research policy and key operational priorities, including important updates and information from the Office of Sponsored Research.

Register here »

Federal Research Updates

IMPORTANT: NIH Common Form Validation Errors Require New SciENcv Downloads

NIH has identified ongoing validation issues impacting SciENcv-generated Biosketch and Current & Pending (Other) Support documents submitted through eRA Commons and Grants.gov. To avoid submission delays or rejections, investigators and departmental administrators should re-certify forms in SciENcv, generate and download new PDFs, and confirm ORCID linkage in eRA Commons before proposal deadlines. Reach out to OSR with questions, and contact the MyNCBI Help Desk if issues persist.

Updated NIH FAQs for Biosketch and Common Forms

As of May 11, NIH updated several Common Form FAQs related to Biographical Sketches, Current and Pending (Other) Support, research security certifications, SciENcv requirements, formatting guidance, and disclosure requirements. Review the updated FAQs to ensure compliance with current NIH application and RPPR requirements. 

NIH Implementation of Uniform Administrative Requirements for Federal Financial Assistance 

NIH previously announced NOT-OD-25-059 with updates to the MTDC thresholds and de minimus rate, but both have been reverted back with NOT-OD-26-072. Investigators should continue following the current UCSF negotiated indirect cost practices. The de minimus indirect cost rate has been reverted to 10%.  

Reminder: New Data Management and Sharing Plan Format 

NIH released a new 2026 Pilot Data Management and Sharing (DMS) Plan format that is for all applications due on or after May 25, 2026. Although the form has not yet received OMB clearance, NIH has indicated that the pilot form will still be required for upcoming submissions. Applications due before that date may use either the 2023 or 2026 format. Review the available guidance from the UCSF Library and the NIH. 

More from the Office of Sponsored Research

• For applications due on or after May 25, 2026, Basic Experimental Studies with Humans (BESH) will no longer be classified as clinical trials. Review the updated requirements. (NOT-OD-26-067)

• NIH has introduced a new eRA Commons feature allowing users to consolidate multiple accounts into a single linked set of credentials.

• Reminder: 2025 NIH guidance (NOT-OD-25-132) limits the use of AI-generated content in applications and caps most Principal Investigators at six NIH applications per calendar year. Review NIH FAQs and guidance on what AI situations NIH may consider non-compliant and what is allowed in applications. 



• NIH will continue temporary peer-review modifications, including reducing the percentage of applications discussed through the October 2026 Advisory Council to address review backlogs resulting from the 2025 federal funding lapse (NOT-OD-26-069).  

From UCSF News: W.M. Keck Foundation Supports Vital Research

In a changing research landscape, support from the W.M. Keck Foundation is helping researchers pursue bold, high-impact science. Read the story to see how this funding is advancing discovery and supporting critical research efforts across UCSF.

From the Office of Research Units

Coming Soon: OCTA Fee Updates

Effective July 1, the Office of Clinical Trial Activation (OCTA) will implement an updated fee structure for industry-sponsored clinical trials to reflect the increasing complexity of sponsor-funded trials, align with industry standards, and support the infrastructure needed for compliant and efficient clinical research operations.

A Technology Fee will apply to new industry-sponsored studies and applicable protocol amendments, supporting the enterprise systems required for study activation, management, and compliant billing. Additionally, the Clinical Research Billing Compliance fee for new industry-sponsored studies will increase by 5%—from $2,800 to $2,940—its first adjustment since 2013. Fees for applicable protocol amendments will increase from $1,000 to $1,050. Learn more, see the OCTA Fee Memo reflecting the FY27 rates, and contact OCTA with questions.

From the Human Research Protection Program (HRPP)

• The IRB Plain Language Informed Consent Form Template and Companion Document are now updated to improve participant readability and navigation, increase accessibility, and add flexibility across study types. Learn more and access the forms.
• The IRS recently increased the reporting threshold for research participant payments from $600 to $2,000 per calendar year. Read the HRPP guidance on this change.

From the Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI)

• Applications are now open for two faculty positions: CTSI Faculty Assistant Director for Informatics and Research Technology (IRT) and the UC BRAID Executive Director. Learn more and apply through the respective application pages:
• CTSI Faculty Assistant Director, IRT
• UC BRAID Executive Director
• Apply for the Spring 2026 K-Grant Writing Workshop, available to fellows or early junior faculty who are planning to apply for a K-series grant in patient-oriented research. Learn more and apply by June 3.

Campus Updates

UCSF Real Estate

The SON demolition is complete, and the underground infrastructure is advancing. Intermittent noise impacts may occur west of the Health Sciences West (HSW) tower toward the Clinical Sciences Building (CSB).

Read the latest construction update from April »

Read about UCSF Building Safety Month »

NEW: Trainings for IRB System Transition

Starting in June, instructor-led Research Gateway IRB trainings will help study teams prepare for the new system launch on July 1. Register now for a session to learn how to navigate the new system and get up and running quickly.



New sessions will be added regularly, and all trainings will be recorded and posted on this page so you can access them anytime.

Call for Abstracts: HEAR Symposium

The 19th Annual UCSF Health Equity and Anti-Racism Research (HEAR) Symposium is now accepting abstract submissions for the October 14 symposium, which showcases research and action to advance health equity and anti-discrimination. Submit your abstract (Deadline: June 26) and learn more about the symposium.