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2026
Can I Retain Early Stage Investigator Status if an NIH Award is Transferred to Me?
The definition of early stage investigator (ESI) states that the individual must not have "previously competed successfully" as program director/principal investigator (PD/PI) for a substantial NIH independent research award. Therefore, the individual may still qualify if all other aspects of the ESI definition are met.
What is a “Person Month” & How Do I Calculate It?
A “person month” is the metric for expressing the effort (amount of time) program directors/principal investigators (PD/PIs), faculty, and other senior personnel devote to a specific project.
What Is the Difference Between an NIH Institute, Center, or Office’s Highlighted Topic and General Interest Area?
NIH Institutes, Centers, and Offices (ICOs) communicate their research priorities through a variety of channels. For example, general interest areas may be discussed on an ICOs’ profile page or they may be expressed through a specific Highlighted Topic. In any case, the ICO may fund research in a wide range of scientific areas within their mission, whether or not they are explicitly identified as a particular Highlighted Topic.
Clarifying Percent Effort and Support for Career Development (K) Award Recipients
For most career development (K) award programs, the K award recipient must commit at the minimum 9 person months, equivalent to 75% full-time professional effort, directly to their research project and career development activities. The recipient can devote the remaining effort (up to 25%) to additional research, teaching, clinical work, or other efforts complementary to their career development.
My Application Was Scored as “Competitive But Not Discussed” During Review. What Does This Mean?
Last November, NIH implemented emergency modifications to review processes following resumption of activities after the lapse in appropriations. Recognizing that strong applications may fall below a 33% cut off, the middle third of applications in a study section were designated as “competitive but not discussed.”
What Should I Know About the Current and Pending (Other) Support (CPOS) Common Form?
The CPOS Common Form must be used for all NIH grant applications, Just in Time (JIT), Research Performance Progress Report (RPPR), and Prior Approval submissions to NIH with due dates on or after January 25, 2026.
Does Good Clinical Practice (GCP) Training Consistent with the International Conference on Harmonisation (ICH) E6 (R3) Meet the NIH Requirement?
Yes. GCP training consistent with ICH E6 (R3) meets the requirement stated in the NIH Grants Policy Statement (GPS).
What Should I Know About the New Biographical Sketch Common Form?
The Biographical Sketch Common Form must be used for all NIH grant application, Just-in-Time, Research Performance Progress Report (RPPR), and Prior Approval submissions to NIH with due dates on or after January 25, 2026.
Will My Application Be Withdrawn if I Don’t Use the Common Forms?
NIH has extended the leniency period for using the new Biographical Sketch and Current and Pending (Other) Support (CPOS) Common Forms through May 2026.
How Can I Find Funding Opportunities Now That They Are Not in the NIH Guide?
You have two options to find Notices of Funding Opportunities: search on Grants.gov or use NIH’s new Explore NIH Opportunities tool. The NIH tool includes additional options for NIH-specific filters, sorting, and advanced search.