»Federal Research Policies

National Institutes of Health (NIH)

The National Science Foundation (NSF) has issued Supplement 2 to the Proposal & Award Policies and Procedures Guide (PAPPG 24-1), effective January 22, 2026. The following sections of the PAPPG are revised to align with NSF's Gold Standard Science implementation plan:

• Public Access to Research Products (Chapter XI.D.2.c)
• Dissemination and Sharing of Research Results (Chapter XI.D.4)
• Data Management and Sharing Plan (Chapter II.D.2.(i).(ii))

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The National Science Foundation (NSF) has issued Supplement 1 to the Proposal & Award Policies and Procedures Guide (PAPPG 24-1), effective December 8, 2025. This update introduces several important changes that impact proposal submissions, award management, and institutional compliance.  

SBIR/STTR Project Pitch Submissions 

Chapter I.D. is revised to incorporate a new proposal type for the Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) Project Pitch to memorialize existing practices. The following underlined text is added: 

• 5. SBIR/STTR Project Pitch 

The Project Pitch is the first step in the NSF SBIR/STTR submission process. The proposer must receive an official invitation via the Project Pitch process to submit an SBIR/STTR Phase I or SBIR/STTR Fast-Track proposal. Small businesses can submit one Project Pitch per submission deadline (refer to the latest SBIR/STTR Phase I or Fast-Track solicitation for upcoming submission deadlines). Project Pitches will be internally reviewed by a member of the SBIR/STTR team. Visit the program website, https://seedfund.nsf.gov/apply/project-pitch, for more information and instructions regarding submission of a Project Pitch. 

Restrictions on Drone Purchases 

NSF funds may not be used to buy or operate drones made or assembled by certain foreign entities (effective Dec 22, 2025). 

Data Management and Sharing Plans 

Chapter II.D.2.i(ii) is revised as part of the agency's implementation of the public access requirements that align with NSF's Gold Standard Science Implementation Plan that further implements U.S. Office of Science and Technology Policy Memorandum, Agency Guidance for Implementing Gold Standard Science in the Conduct & Management of Scientific Activities. Per the tenets of reproducibility and transparency of Gold Standard Science, publications and supporting data are to be made publicly and freely available at the time of publication. A justification must be provided if there are any access limitations for supporting data. As a reminder, data management and sharing requirements and plans specific to the directorate or other NSF unit relevant to a proposal are available at www.nsf.gov/public-access. The following underlined text is added to the first paragraph of section (ii): 

Recipients are required to share all data supporting NSF funded publications at the time of publication. Exceptions to this sharing requirement should be described and justified within the DMSP.
 

Proposal Specific Revision Thresholds 

Chapter II.F is modified to increase caps for Planning, RAPID and EAGER proposals in response to NSF community needs. 

• Planning Proposal. Chapter II.F.1 increases the funding request threshold limit to $200,000 from $100,000. The following underlined text is added and strikes previous text: 

  • Requests may be for up to $100,000 $200,000 per year (including indirect costs) and for up to two years in duration. The award size, however, will be consistent with the scope of the proposed planning activities and of a size comparable to planning grants in similar areas. 

• Rapid Response Research (RAPID) Proposal. Chapter II.F.2 increases the funding request threshold limit to $300,000 from $200,000. The following underlined text is added and strikes previous text: 

  • Requests may be for up to $200,000 $300,000 (including indirect costs) and up to one year in duration. The award size, however, will be consistent with the project scope and of a size comparable to grants in similar areas. 

• EArly-Concept Grants for Exploratory Research (EAGER) Proposal. Chapter II.F.3 increases the funding request threshold limit to $400,000 from $300,000. The following underlined text is added and strikes previous text: 

  • Requests may be for up to $300,000 $400,000 (including indirect costs) and up to two years in duration. The award size, however, will be consistent with the project scope and of a size comparable to grants in similar areas. 
    

Research Misconduct 

Chapter XII.C is revised to incorporate the use of artificial intelligence (AI)-based tools. The underlined text has been added: 

• RESEARCH MISCONDUCT means fabrication, falsification, or plagiarism, whether committed by an individual directly or through the use or assistance of other persons, entities, or tools, including artificial intelligence (AI)-based tools, in proposing or performing research funded by NSF, reviewing research proposals submitted to NSF, or in reporting research results funded by NSF. 

Research Security Policy Effective 12/2/25 

• Research-security Updates in "Important Notice No. 149" will go into effect December 2, 2025 

• Under these rules, for proposals submitted on or after Dec 2nd, all senior/key personnel must have completed acceptable research security training within the prior 12 months; institutions must maintain detailed documentation of foreign support/appointments/"other support" 

Risk Assessments & Documentation 

• NSF Important Notice No. 149 (December 2, 2025): introduces NSF risk assessments of proposals/awards, requiring supporting documentation (e.g., foreign contracts, appointments, MFTRP involvement) to be maintained and available upon request. See Important Notice No. 149: Updates to NSF Research Security Policies | NSF - U.S. National Science Foundation 

The DOE announced on December 3, 2025, that it will now require Common Forms for Biographical Sketch and Current and Pending (Other) Support, effective immediately. 

The DOE Federal Assistance Letter provides details for the Common Forms and their application in SciENcv. 

• DOE will require the use of SciENcv to complete Common Forms (i.e., Biographical Sketch, Current and Pending (Other) Support) to produce digitally certified PDF(s). 

• DOE will require certification from each individual (not their delegate) of their own form(s) in SciENcv acknowledging information is: 1) current, accurate, and complete and 2) at time of submission, they are not a party to a malign foreign talent recruitment program.

CHIPS & Science Act & NSPM‑33 mandates research security training for covered individuals (PIs, Co‑PIs, PDs, senior/key personnel) across federal agencies, covering foreign interference; cybersecurity; export control; disclosure; and conflicts of interest and of commitment.  Compliance certification must be provided by individuals and institutions during the application, just-in-time, or performance/progress report submission process. 

• DOE: Effective May 1, 2025, covered individuals must complete training within 12 months prior to proposal, and annually for active awards. Acceptable options include the SECURE Center 1‑hour module or equivalent training.  

• NSF: Starting October 10, 2025, senior/key personnel must complete training within 12 months before submission. Effective December 2, 2025, all personnel supported by NSF-funded projects must complete training by 60 days after appointment. The condensed 1‑hour SECURE module is accepted.  

• NIH: Certification and enforcement of research security training compliance effective May 25, 2026. 

• DOE: Requires certification at application and ongoing project phase that covered individuals are not participants. See Prohibition on Malign Foreign Talent Recruitment Program Participation | Department of Energy 

• NSF: Since June 7, 2025, all PIs/co‑PIs with active NSF awards submitted on/after May 20, 2024, must annually certify non‑participation via Research.gov Chapter II: Proposal Preparation Instructions - Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG) (NSF 24-1) | NSF - U.S. National Science Foundation 

• NIH: Will require MFTRP certification with January 25, 2026 implementation of Common Forms (biographical sketch and Other Support). See NOT-OD-26-018: NIHs Implementation of Common Forms for Biographical Sketch and Current and Pending (Other) Support for Due Dates on or after January 25, 2026 

• NIH Biosketch Quick Reference Guide
• NIH Other Support (OS): Overview Quick Reference Guide

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