NIH Extramural Nexus (News)

NIH is committed to supporting rigorous and ethically conducted animal research that minimizes the number of animals needed to achieve scientifically valid results. Through a Request for Information, NIH seeks feedback on the feasibility, current capabilities, expected benefits, and expected burdens associated with annual reporting on the number of live, vertebrate animals subject to and defined by the Public Health Service Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals. 

NIH has a long-standing commitment of supporting early career scientists to promote growth and stability of the future biomedical workforce. The NIH Director has underscored this commitment by prioritizing training for future scientists. In addition, the NIH Unified Funding Strategy recognizes the critical importance of supporting scientists in the early stages of their careers.

NIH’s Grants Policy Statement, a term and condition of award, reminds recipients that NIH award funds may not be used for lobbying or advocacy activities. 

Finding the right funding opportunity as an early career investigator can feel overwhelming but understanding the NIH funding landscape can help inform your choice. 

You, our extramural research community, are central to the NIAID mission of understanding, treating, and preventing infectious, immunologic, and allergic diseases. In this feature article, all of us at NIAID aim to support you by highlighting some of the latest developments that will impact your work, sharing resources and new opportunities, and answering common questions from the community.

As part of NIH's broader effort to simplify the funding landscape, we’re pleased to highlight three new parent funding opportunities under the NIH Research Education Program (R25). Similar to updates to career development, loan repayment, and predoctoral/postdoctoral transition programs, these new research education programs provide a simpler framework for supporting research education activities while helping NIH develop the scientific workforce of the future.

As previously shared in November 2025 and April 2026, NIH implemented emergency modifications to peer review processes following the resumption of activities after the lapse in appropriations (NOT-OD-26-012, NOT-OD-26-069). These modifications remain in effect through the January 2027 Advisory Council round (NOT-OD-26-114).

Earlier this year, we asked the research community to weigh in on a proposed Clinical Trial Specific Application Form that would consolidate clinical trial information currently provided across two application components into a single, semi-structured form with page limits (NOT-OD-26-058). On behalf of the NIH Clinical Trials Application Working Group, I am pleased to share what we heard, and how your feedback will help shape our next steps.

On August 19, 2026, NIH released for public comment a Draft Biosafety Policy for Research Involving Biohazards for public comment. When finalized, the policy will replace the current NIH Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant or Synthetic Nucleic Acid Molecules.

Research environments free from harassment, bullying, retaliation, and other hostile working conditions are fundamental to the conduct of NIH-supported biomedical studies.  These conditions enable trainees, staff, and collaborators to work effectively while preserving scientific integrity, protecting the biomedical research workforce, and ensuring the responsible stewardship of public funds.