Announcement of Upcoming System Enforcement of Common Forms and End of NIH’s Leniency Period

Announcement of Upcoming System Enforcement of Common Forms and End of NIH’s Leniency Period

Notice Number: NOT-OD-26-079

https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-26-079.html

Purpose

This Notice provides the key dates that were announced in the ‘Expectations’ section of the previous Guide Notice (see NOT-OD-26-033) and important guidance on the adjusted implementation timeline for Common Forms for Biographical Sketch and Current and Pending (Other) Support. It contains updates and reminders for successful creation and submission of the Common Forms.

Effective Date

The current leniency period previously communicated in NOT-OD-26-033 will end on May 7, 2026, the final AIDS standard receipt date for Cycle 1. Use of the Common Forms for Biographical Sketch, Current and Pending (Other) Support, and NIH Biographical Sketch Supplement will be required for all application due dates and Just-In-Time (JIT), Research Performance Progress Report (RPPR), and Prior Approval submissions on or after May 8, 2026.

During the remainder of the leniency period, NIH will continue to provide system warnings and will not withdraw applications containing the NIH Biosketch and NIH Other Support format pages, or non-compliant Common Forms. On May 8, 2026, system warnings will change to errors that will stop any submission not using compliant Common Forms. This timing will also provide applicants with additional time to address errors before the May 25, 2026 standard receipt date for Cycle 2.

Please review the Guide Notice linked here for full details regarding this update and other important updates and reminders listed below:

·         Updates regarding Research Security Training Certification

·         Updates Regarding the NIH Grants Policy Statement (GPS)

·         Reminder for RPPR, JIT and Prior Approval Modules

 

If you have any questions, please contact the Office of Sponsored Programs.