From Vice Chancellor for Research Collard

Dear Colleagues, 

I am writing to share an important update regarding recent organizational changes within the Office of Research, implemented as part of our broader efforts to better align our staffing with the research enterprise’s evolving needs. These most recent changes impacted two director roles and six staff members. 

These decisions were not made lightly. They are intended to ensure we continue delivering high-quality support in a rapidly changing research and funding environment. Our focus remains on strengthening how we serve the UCSF research community, and we are working to minimize disruption during this transition as we improve operations across the Office of Research. 

My office is partnering with departments to ensure continuity throughout this transition. I encourage you to attend the April 30 Office of Research Town Hall, where we will introduce our OSR leadership and share high-level organizational updates. Thank you for your continued dedication to UCSF’s research mission.

If you have questions or concerns, please reach out to me at research@ucsf.edu. 

Sincerely, 

Hal 

Harold R. Collard, MD, MS 

Vice Chancellor for Research 

Professor of Medicine and Health Policy

Register Now: April 30 Office of Research Town Hall

Join Vice Chancellor for Research Hal Collard and fellow Office of Research leadership, who will share the latest updates and service improvements with our research community.

Register here »

Federal Research Updates

National NIH FY26 Award Numbers Are Slowly Improving  

The number of extramural NIH research awards is slowly improving for Federal FY26 (starting October 2025), based on data from the NIH RePORTER website (see figure). The primary reason for the low numbers to date is last Fall's 43-day government shutdown that resulted in over 350 canceled study sections and an enormous administrative backlog.

The most impacted award category remains new awards (i.e., Type 1), which are 40% lower than last year. At UCSF, our new NIH award data mirror this national data. The NIH is working hard to process pending awards and expects continued acceleration of numbers over the coming months. This should translate into many of our faculty finally receiving the expected notices of awards.

OSR Office Hours for NIH Application Requirements

OSR is hosting office hours to support you with the new NIH policy changes that take effect for applications due on or after May 25. Have your questions answered about the new Common Forms and updated research security and data sharing requirements. Register for the April 30 session.

New NIH FY 2026 Policies

(NOT-OD-26-059) The new funding guidance provides important updates, including:

• FY26 Funding Levels: Non-competing continuation awards will generally be issued at the committed level identified in the Notice of Award. Future budget periods remain subject to the availability of appropriations, satisfactory progress, compliance with award terms and conditions, and federal program priorities.
• Multi-Year Funding Authority: A new provision allowing NIH to continue certain multi-year funding practices at levels consistent with FY25 for grants, cooperative agreements, contracts, and other funding mechanisms. NIH Institutes, Centers, and Offices (ICOs) will issue institute-specific fiscal policies aligned with available funding and program priorities.
• NRSA Stipend Increase of approximately 2% for predoctoral and postdoctoral trainees.

Review the full guidance to understand how these updates may impact your awards.

NIH FY 2026 Legislative Mandates in Effect

These new directives cover salary caps, lobbying restrictions, funding acknowledgments, and compliance requirements. These provisions remain essential for all federally funded research activities. Review the notice to ensure compliance.

Revised NIH Grants Policy Statement (GPS)

Effective March 2026, the updated GPS outlines current terms, conditions, and policy updates for grants and cooperative agreements, incorporating previous changes since 2024. A summary of significant updates is available, with additional guidance continuing through NIH Guide Notices. Review the revised policy and summary of changes.

NIH Data Management and Sharing Plan Format Update

(NOT-OD-26-046) For applications due May 25 and later, NIH will replace the narrative DMS Plan with a structured format using yes/no questions and brief explanations. Investigators should review the previewed template when preparing new proposals. Learn more from OSR and explore the UCSF Library resources.

Reminder: Common Forms Required Through SciENcv

While currently in a leniency period, the NIH Biographical Sketch and Current and Pending Other Support Commons Forms requirements become mandatory for applications due on or after May 25. Other federal agencies now require Biographical Sketch and Current & Pending Support forms generated in SciENcv using agency-specific templates. Learn more, contact OSR with questions, and see the OSR Biosketch resources.

More from the Office of Sponsored Research

• Effective June 1, NIH will require prior approval when adding a new domestic subaward to an existing project if the subaward was not included in the originally approved application (NOT-OD-26-062).
• NIH establishes the stipend and other budgetary levels for the FY26 Kirschstein-NRSA awards (e.g., NIH F and T series) for undergraduate, predoctoral, and postdoctoral fellows/trainees made on or after October 1, 2025.
• NIH updated its definition of “intervention” to align with the Common Rule (NOT-OD-26-063).
• NIH will end Continuous Submission after August 10, 2026, and implement stricter late submission criteria. Late applications will be limited and require clear justification (NOT-OD-26-064).

Attend the May 4 Rally for California Science at the State Capitol!

Join in the UC-wide effort, in partnership with UAW, to support SB 895 (Wiener), the California Science and Health Research Bond Act, which would provide up to $23 billion for research that advances knowledge and delivers public benefit across the state. As federal funding disruptions continue to impact labs, trainees, and discovery, this is a critical moment to show up and demonstrate the strength of California’s research community. RSVP now to join your colleagues and attend the rally at the State Capitol in Sacramento on May 4! Transportation is available. Attendees must RSVP to confirm their attendance.

From the Office of Research Units

Environment, Health and Safety (EHS)

• EHS Announces the Winners of the 4th Annual UCSF Excellence in Laboratory Safety Awards!
• The EHS Chemical & Environmental Safety Committee seeks new faculty members. Learn more and contact ChemHygiene@ucsf.edu for more information.

Human Research Protection Program (HRPP)

• New IRB Guidance: When Should I Submit my Continuing Review?

Office of Clinical Trial Activation (OCTA)

• Learn about OCTA's new required workflow for unscheduled visits and procedures.
• In Case You Missed It: Explore UCSF’s Advarra eReg Regulatory Binder System.

Campus Updates

UCSF Academic Research Services

Wynton HPC has officially transitioned to UCSF's High-Performance Computing infrastructure, including the Facility for Advanced Computing (FAC), CoreHPC, and the Information Commons on FAC (IC FAC).

Learn more and attend the weekly Wynton office hours »

UCSF Office of Sustainability

Labs and clinics: join the Green Streak Challenge! Sign up to receive challenges to green your office, lab, or clinic. Compete with other teams for a chance to win fun prizes.

Last day to compete: April 29 »

UCSF IT | All Digital Content Must Meet Accessibility Requirements by April 24, 2026

Applies to all UCSF websites, applications, documents, videos, audio, social media, and course materials.

Review the tools, guidance, and support to help you meet requirements »

Reminder: Upcoming IRB System Go-Live and Submission Freeze

The Research Gateway IRB go-live date is July 1, and your IRB submission may be affected!

Beginning June 13, no new submissions will be accepted in iRIS, and studies not approved by June 24 will need to be resubmitted in Research Gateway on or after July 1. If you can wait to submit your IRB application, please do so on or after July 1.

Careful planning is essential. See the project web page for additional guidance and a recording of the recent Research Gateway town hall.

18th Annual Chancellor’s Leadership Forum on Opportunity and Impact (April 28)

This year’s forum will include a discussion on developing a new strategic plan for opportunity and impact, updates on community climate survey action planning, and a Q&A session. All are welcome. Learn more and register below.