NIH Extramural Nexus (News)

Domestic Annual Reports for the reporting period of October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2026, are due to the NIH Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW) by December 1, 2026, for domestic institutions with an approved Domestic Animal Welfare Assurance.

Transparency is the cornerstone of public trust and is essential to advancing rigorous, gold-standard science. Since I began leading NIH, I have been committed to strengthening public trust through greater transparency across all NIH-supported research, with the goal of improving health for all Americans. One important pillar to support this vision is that contributors to scientific publications must be recognized for their work. 

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’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. 

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. 

We are pleased to announce that the fiscal year (FY) 2027 NIH Extramural Loan Repayment Program (LRP) application cycle opened on September 1, 2026, and closes on November 19, 2026. Researchers interested in applying are encouraged to join the LRP Technical Assistance Webinar that takes a deep dive into the application process, and more. 

We are sharing upcoming NIH National Advisory Council or Board (NAC) meetings for your awareness. A portion of NAC meeting proceedings are open to the public. Viewers can hear Institute or Center Director remarks, updates on priorities and initiatives, budget overviews, scientific highlights, and concept clearance for future possible funding opportunities.