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News & Updates

May 13, 2026

NIH Common Forms Requirement 

As of May 8, Common forms for NIH applications and Research Performance Progress Reports (RPPRs) are required (NOT-OD-26-079). The leniency period announced earlier this year has ended, and going forward system warnings will change to errors that will stop any submission not using compliant Common Forms. 

A Note on Research Security Training Certification: SciENcv also added the Research Security Training (RST) Certification language back to the NIH Common Forms on April 22 to provide individuals time to comply with the requirement for applications submitted for due dates on or after May 25, 2026. If you are submitting for due dates on or after May 25 and have already collected documents, you will need senior/key personnel to regenerate biosketches with the required security training certification. 

NIH Collaborative International Research Project (PF5): Application & Award Structure 

The NIH Collaborative International Research Project (PF5) mechanism is a new NIH funding and award structure that supports international research collaborations by requiring a U.S. prime award linked to independent foreign awards, replacing traditional foreign subawards. This mechanism is now required for any NIH proposal involving funded foreign components. Read more about the PF5 mechanism on the NIH website or watch this short video introduction to the PF5 mechanism. You can also find guidance on preparing your submissions to the new PF5 mechanism posted in the SR Proposal Updates Teams Channel (see more below.) 

Budget Justification Language Update 

There are no current active efforts to limit indirect cost recovery on Federally funded research. Therefore, budget justification language regarding F&A litigation is no longer needed in budget justifications. (See News & Updates: June 16, 2025 for the original announcement of this guidance.) 

Genesis Collaboration 

Launched in late 2025, the Genesis Mission is the Department of Energy’s (DOE) national effort to accelerate scientific discovery by uniting advanced computing, AI, and experimental facilities to tackle the country’s most complex science and technology challenges. The DOE issued a $293 million RFA open to national labs, universities, and industry, with applications due in spring 2026. This RFA required collaborations with external partners including national laboratories and industry, which presented unique challenges especially given the accelerated timeline for this initiative. Thanks to the hard work of our partners across the university and the Pre-Award team Northwestern University successfully submitted 87 proposals. This was a massive undertaking, and Sponsored Research sends a special thank you to all the research administrators, as well as our colleagues in Export Control, Conflict of Interest, and many others for their patience and flexibility during this challenging competition. 

SR Staffing Announcement 

SR would like to announce Stephanie Logaras as the new Assistant Director, Pre-Award. Stephanie brings over a decade of experience in the Sponsored Research Office and will be the primary contact on the SR leadership team for pre-award matters including proposal review and submission 

SR Resource Reminders 

SR Updates Teams Channel 

Hosted by NURAP, this SR Updates Teams channel is open to the entire Northwestern research administration community. It allows SR to share timely information related to proposals and other sponsored research issues. Additionally, NURAP also hosts channels related to general Federal funding questions, non-Federal submissions, and systems.  

CERES Contact and Access Management 

Thie web resource explains how CERES contact and access management works for research administrators, including how to request or update security access and manage administrative contacts across proposals, awards, and agreements.