Why Did NIH Expire Some Funding Opportunities Because of the Simplified Review Framework, and What Does It Mean for My Application?

The simplified review framework went into effect earlier in 2025, and NIH has been busy preparing staff, peer reviewers, and study section chairs for its arrival at summer 2025 review meetings.   

NIH has since identified some Notices of Funding Opportunity (NOFOs) that were not expired or reissued as indicated in the implementation plan shared in early 2024. To avoid confusion and reduce reviewer burden at review meetings, NIH has expired those NOFOs (see NOT-OD-25-113).   

Applications already submitted under the expired NOFOs will be reviewed in summer 2025 review meetings under the simplified review framework (see NOT-OD-25-116). Applicants who were planning to apply to the expired NOFOs for future review cycles should instead consider applying through a suitable parent announcement.