Institution and Sponsor Updates

This page provides the latest updates on sponsor requirements and Columbia University institutional guidance related to proposal preparation, submission, and award management.

2026 Sponsor & Institutional Updates

NIH Updates

NIH Grants Policy Statement (NIHGPS) – Latest Update

The NIH Grants Policy Statement (March 2026) is the current governing document for NIH awards and serves as the standard terms and conditions of all NIH grant and cooperative agreement awards.

This version:

Supersedes prior versions of the NIHGPS
Applies to all NIH awards issued under the applicable fiscal year
Incorporates updates from NIH Guide Notices, federal regulations (including 2 CFR Part 200), and prior policy changes

Key Changes from FY2026 NIHGPS (Summary):

Research Security and Disclosure Requirements
- Reinforces disclosure of all research support, affiliations, and foreign components
- Aligns with federal research security initiatives
Common Forms Implementation
- Incorporates Common Forms (Biosketch and Current & Pending Support) requirements
- Clarifies certification responsibilities for senior/key personnel
Data Management & Sharing (DMS) Policy
- Formalizes DMS Plan requirements and compliance expectations
- Emphasizes reporting in RPPRs
Public Access Policy (2024 Update)
- Reflects requirement for immediate public access to NIH-funded publications
- Requires submission of Author Accepted Manuscripts upon acceptance
Prior Approval Requirements
- Clarifies when NIH prior approval is required (e.g., scope changes, key personnel, foreign components)
Subrecipient Monitoring
- Strengthens oversight expectations, including for foreign subrecipients
Alignment with Uniform Guidance (2 CFR Part 200)
- Updates cost principles, allowability, and internal control expectations
Allowable Costs Clarifications
- Updates guidance on selected cost items and documentation requirements
Internal Controls and Compliance
- Emphasizes institutional responsibility for internal controls and audit readiness

Resources:

Columbia Guidance:

Review NIHGPS updates regularly
Ensure alignment with current NIH terms and conditions

Common Forms for Biosketch and Current & Pending (Other) Support

NIH has adopted the Common Forms for Biographical Sketch and Current & Pending (Other) Support.

These forms are required for:

All NIH proposals
Just-in-Time (JIT) submissions
Research Performance Progress Reports (RPPRs)
Prior Approval submissions

Effective Dates:

Required for due dates on or after January 25, 2026
System enforcement begins May 8, 2026

Requirements:

All senior/key personnel must prepare documents using SciENcv
Senior/key personnel must certify their own Common Forms in SciENcv
ORCID iDs must be linked to eRA Commons profiles
NIH-specific Biosketch Supplement is required
Legacy NIH-format biosketch and other support documents should not be used

Resources:

Columbia Guidance:

Ensure all profiles are current in SciENcv prior to submission
Follow SPA internal deadlines for review and submission

Other Support & Foreign Component Disclosure

NIH continues to enforce requirements related to full disclosure of:

All active and pending research support
Foreign components and collaborations
In-kind contributions (e.g., personnel, lab space, data access)

Resource:

https://grants.nih.gov/grants/forms/other-support.htm

NIH FORMS-I Application Packages (Required)

NIH FORMS-I application packages are required for all due dates on or after January 25, 2025.

Key Changes:

Updated application forms across all activity codes
Revised instructions and data tables
Alignment with Common Forms requirements
Updates to fellowship, training, and research education applications

Resources:

Columbia Guidance:

Confirm correct application package (FORMS-I) in ASSIST or Grants.gov
Do not use outdated form sets
Coordinate with SPA for submission support

Data Management & Sharing (DMS) Policy

The NIH Data Management & Sharing Policy remains in effect for all applicable proposals and awards.

Requirements:

Submission of a DMS Plan at proposal stage
Compliance reporting in RPPRs

Resource:

https://sharing.nih.gov/data-management-and-sharing-policy

NIH Public Access Policy

The NIH Public Access Policy (2024 update) took effect on July 1, 2025.

Requirements:

Author Accepted Manuscripts must be submitted to PubMed Central upon acceptance
Publications must be made publicly available without embargo upon publication

Resources:

Research Security Training (NIH)

NIH research security training requirements apply to applications submitted for due dates on or after May 25, 2026.

Requirements:

Covered individuals must complete required research security training
Certification may be required at proposal stage

Resources:

RPPR (Progress Reporting)

Ensure RPPR submissions:

Reflect current Other Support disclosures
Include updates on DMS compliance
Align with NIH Common Forms requirements

NSF Updates

SciENcv Requirements

NSF requires the use of SciENcv for:

Biographical Sketch
Current & Pending (Other) Support

Resources:

https://www.nsf.gov/bfa/dias/policy/sciencv.jsp

NSF Proposal & Award Policies and Procedures Guide (PAPPG)

NSF continues to update the PAPPG annually. Investigators must follow the most current version at the time of submission.

Key Areas of Focus:

Current & Pending Support disclosure
Collaborators and Other Affiliations (COA) requirements
Malign foreign talent recruitment program certification

Resource:

https://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=pappg

NSF Research Security Requirements

NSF requires certifications related to research security and disclosure.

Requirements include:

Disclosure of foreign financial support and affiliations
Certification regarding malign foreign talent recruitment programs
Completion of research security training (as applicable)

Resources:

CDC and Other Federal Sponsors

CDC Proposal Requirements

CDC grant and cooperative agreement applications must follow the requirements in the applicable Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO).

Applicants should carefully review:

Eligibility and application instructions
Budget and justification requirements
Reporting expectations
Data Management Plan requirements (when applicable)
Submission platform requirements

Resources:

AHRQ

AHRQ uses NIH application systems and processes for many funding opportunities.

Resources:

Grants.gov and JustGrants

Many federal sponsors require use of:

Grants.gov for application submission
JustGrants (DOJ and select agencies) for post-award management

Ensure registrations and system access are active prior to submission deadlines.

Foundation and Non-Federal Sponsors

General Guidance

Foundation sponsors may have requirements that differ from federal agencies.

Common Requirements:

Letters of intent (LOIs)
Limited submission processes
Institutional nomination or endorsement
Customized budgets and indirect cost limitations

Columbia Limited Submissions

Opportunities requiring institutional selection are managed through Columbia’s limited submissions process.

Guidance:

Monitor internal announcements
Adhere to internal deadlines and submission requirements

Indirect Cost (F&A) Considerations

Many foundations:

Cap indirect costs
Require waivers or reduced rates

All exceptions must be reviewed and approved in accordance with Mailman School of Public Health policy. Consult your Department or Center Administrator.

Columbia Institutional Updates

Proposal Submission & Internal Deadlines

All proposals must follow Columbia’s internal review process, including:

Timely routing in RASCAL
Completion of all compliance approvals
Adherence to SPA submission deadlines

Systems (RASCAL)

RASCAL is Columbia’s system for research administration and compliance.

Users should:

Ensure active access to the system
Complete required training and certifications
Maintain up-to-date financial interest disclosures
Utilize modules including Proposal Development, Training, Conflict of Interest, Human Subjects, and IACUC

Resources:

Research Security (Columbia)

Columbia continues to implement federal research security requirements.

Requirements may include:

Disclosure of foreign affiliations and support
Certification regarding malign foreign talent recruitment programs
Completion of required research security training

Resources:

Research Administration Forums

https://research.columbia.edu/research-administration-forums

The Research Administration Forums provide updates on sponsored projects and research administration.

Topics include:

Sponsor updates and policy changes
Columbia procedures and systems (RASCAL)
Pre- and post-award management
Compliance and reporting requirements

Faculty and staff involved in sponsored projects are encouraged to attend.

Last Updated: 5/6/26