From Vice Chancellor for Research Collard

Dear Colleagues,

I am writing to update you on UCSF's campus response to the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) proposed revisions to the Uniform Guidance, the federal framework for governing grants and cooperative agreements. Our campus response accompanies the University of California’s systemwide response in representing the views of the institution. I encourage you to review both documents. 

As I have previously communicated, we developed the UCSF campus response through a representative process that engaged UCSF's deans, vice deans for research, Academic Senate leadership, and other faculty leaders, to gather input from across the research community.

At the heart of UCSF’s response, you will see several priorities I believe are essential to sustaining a world-class research enterprise: funding research based on scientific merit, fostering collaboration across institutions and fields, and maintaining a supportive and stable environment for risk-taking and innovation. 

While OMB considers the public comments it has received, UCSF and UC will continue to advocate with policymakers and other stakeholders on these priorities. I will keep you informed as this process moves forward.

Thank you for your partnership and your continued dedication to our research mission. 

Sincerely,

Hal

Harold R. Collard, MD, MS 

Vice Chancellor for Research 

Professor of Medicine and Health Policy

Important Updates

The Office of Research Welcomes New CAO 

Calleen Roper has been appointed Chief Administrative Officer for the UCSF Office of Research. Learn about the experience she brings and how her leadership will strengthen the services and operations that support UCSF's research enterprise. Learn more »

Recording: July 21 Town Hall

Watch the recording for this week's Office of Research Town Hall, which provides an update on federal awards and important information and resources from the Office of Sponsored Research (OSR).

View the recording »

Federal Research Updates

Represent UCSF at the Rally for Medical Research

UCSF students and postdocs are invited to apply for a fully funded opportunity to represent the university at the Rally for Medical Research in Washington, D.C., on September 16–17. Two selected participants will meet with lawmakers, advocate for sustained NIH funding, and share how federal research support advances discoveries that improve health. Apply by August 5.

NIH Requests Public Input on Measuring and Rewarding Scientific Impact 

(NOT-OD-26-087) The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is seeking public comments on how to better measure, recognize, and incentivize scientific impact beyond traditional metrics such as publication and citation counts. Through this Request for Information (RFI), NIH invites feedback on indicators related to rigor and reproducibility, data and software sharing, training and mentorship, collaboration, entrepreneurship and translation, foundational scientific exploration, and public impact. Responses may be submitted electronically through the NIH Office of Science Policy website by August 19, 2026, and may be submitted anonymously. Learn more.

UCSF OSR Implements Additional NIH Foreign Collaboration Compliance Measures 

To strengthen compliance with NIH foreign collaboration reporting requirements, Principal Investigators (PIs) will now be required to attest in eProposal at proposal submission that they understand NIH disclosure requirements, have a professional and ethical responsibility to report all required foreign collaborations, and acknowledge that failure to disclose required information may result in funding consequences and institutional compliance actions.

Important: If you establish a new foreign collaboration during an active NIH award, including new foreign co-authorship or publications that may constitute a foreign component, please do not wait until your RPPR is due. Contact OSR immediately to determine whether NIH prior approval is required before RPPR submission.

Read More from OSR on Foreign Co-Authorship and contact OSR with questions. View recent slides from a COGR and NIH presentation on this topic.

NIDCR Seeks Public Input on Strategic Plan for FY 2027–2031 

(NOT-DE-26-015) The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) is requesting public comments to help shape its Strategic Plan for Fiscal Years 2027–2031 and identify future priorities for dental, oral, and craniofacial (DOC) research. NIDCR seeks feedback on research needs, emerging scientific opportunities, integration of DOC research with the broader biomedical enterprise, research capacity, and research operations to guide future investments and strategic directions. 

Comments may be submitted electronically through the NIDCR submission website by September 14, 2026, and responses may be submitted anonymously. Learn more.

Source: NIH RePORTER accessed July 8, 2026

State Advocacy Update: What's Next for SB 895

SB 895 (Wiener), the state research bond, will not advance to the November 2026 ballot after failing to pass the Legislature by the June 25 deadline. UCSF can be very proud of its direct advocacy to legislators by leadership, faculty, and students; our speaking roles and large attendance at multiple press events and rallies; our online advocacy through UCSF Advocates; faculty and staff testimony in Assembly and Senate hearings; and direct advocacy by the Chancellor to the highest levels of state government. Competition from other bonds vying for space on the ballot was the main reason that the research bond did not pass the Legislature. Learn more about ongoing research advocacy efforts.

More from the Office of Sponsored Research

• NIH will host a live webinar on Friday, August 14, 2026, to discuss the agency's Unified Funding Strategy and provide additional context on its rationale, implementation, and impact on NIH funding decisions.
• NSF seeks public comment on its draft Guidance on Financial Assistance (replaces PAPPG). 
• NSF announces upcoming Prohibition on Collaborations with Restricted Entities. 
• UCOP shares resources for digital accessibility requirements in research grant applications. View the UC Systemwide Digital Accessibility Policy, the UC Digital Accessibility Resources webpage, and the UCSF Digital Accessibility Compliance Project for information and resources. 

Research Gateway IRB is Live!

The Research Gateway IRB (ReGI) system officially launched on July 1. Thank you to everyone in the research community for your feedback, testing, and participation, which helped make the transition possible.

The ReGI team continues to refine the system, address issues, and support users as they transition to the new interface and processes. Watch for updates from IRB@ucsf.edu on policy changes and ResearchGateway@ucsf.edu on system updates.

Access ReGI training, review submission tips, access OCTA IRB + OnCore resouces, and find additional support through AskAndy.

From the Office of Research Units

Environment, Health and Safety (EHS)

• Attention Faculty: Help shape UCSF's approach to chemical safety by serving on the Chemical & Environmental Safety Committee (CESC). Contact Andrew.Chung@ucsf.edu to learn more.
• For Supervisors: Timely reporting protects employees and helps UCSF meet critical safety requirements. Immediately report work-related fatalities, inpatient hospitalizations, and workplace violence incidents. Learn more.
• Campus EH&S is piloting a new ServiceNow-based ticketing system to streamline EH&S service requests. A broader rollout to the UCSF Research community is coming soon. Watch for additional updates, training, and implementation details. Contact ehs@ucsf.edu with questions.

Office of Clinical Trial Activation (OCTA)

• New FY27 Fee Updates: The new, simplified fee structure consolidates the Technology Fee into the Clinical Research Billing Compliance fee, while overall FY27 rates remain unchanged from those previously communicated. Review the updated fee schedule.
• New Guidance: How to submit Expanded Access programs to OCTA.

Human Research Protection Program (HRPP)

• Reminder: Use the currently posted Consent Form templates for new studies submitted on or after July 1. Learn more and access the forms.

Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI)

• New Webinar Recording: Conducting Research with Immigrant and Vulnerable Populations. Learn practical strategies for conducting ethical, community-engaged research.

Campus Updates

UCSF Office of Sustainability

July Photo Challenge: Share your favorite photo from any national, state, regional, or local park for a chance to be featured in an upcoming newsletter or win $20 in Moffitt Dollars. Submit your photo »

UCSF IT and Brand Identity

Digitally accessible UCSF templates are now available in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, making it easier to create documents, spreadsheets, and presentations that meet accessibility standards. Available in the Microsoft 365 desktop apps and PowerPoint for the web for users signed in with a UCSF account. Learn more »

UCSF Science Policy Group Wins UC President's Award

The Science Policy Group at UCSF has earned the University of California President's Award for Outstanding Student Leadership, recognizing the contributions of its student and postdoctoral scholar members. Their work helps equip health researchers to effectively communicate scientific evidence to policymakers, advancing informed decision-making across California.

Event Spotlight: UCSF AI4ALL Symposium

Discover how the next generation of AI innovators is shaping the future of medicine. Join the August 14 symposium, which features a keynote by Stanford University's Dr. Johnathan Chen, student presentations showcasing innovative AI applications in biomedical research, and a networking reception.