The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has announced a major change to grant application and reporting requirements. Effective January 25, 2026, NIH will adopt the Biographical Sketch Common Form and the Current and Pending (Other) Support Common Form, in accordance with the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) memorandum on the use of common disclosure forms.
This policy applies to grant applications, Just-in-Time (JIT) submissions, Research Performance Progress Reports (RPPRs), and prior approval requests. Institutions and researchers must prepare for these changes to ensure compliance.
The new Biographical Sketch Common Form replaces the current NIH biosketch format. It will be paired with an NIH Biographical Sketch Supplement, both completed through SciENcv.
Researchers should begin familiarizing themselves with SciENcv, linking their ORCID iD to their eRA Commons account, and reviewing draft templates already available. Institutions should update training programs and disclosure policies to meet NIH's requirements.
This shift represents a broader federal effort to standardize research disclosures across agencies, reduce administrative burden, and strengthen oversight of foreign influence in federally funded research.
NIH's adoption of the Common Forms marks a significant change in grant application and reporting practices.
Julie Johnson, PharmD, is the Director and Principal Investigator at The Ohio State University Clinical and Translational Science Institute.