The University of New Hampshire monitors the potential impact of federal agency actions on its research enterprise and researchers. The UNH Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation (OVPRI) will post updates to this webpage and provide guidance and resources via emails and the OVPRI newsletter.
Agency-specific updates will be posted in the applicable tabs (below) whereas cross-agency or general information will be posted immediately below. Click on each agency tab below to review their updates.
General Information
- US DHHS press release (July 28, 2026): Trump Administration releases new government-wide policy to end dangerous high-risk research ~ https://www.hhs.gov/press-room/stopping-high-risk-life-sciences-research.html
- White House report (July 2026): Science: A New Golden Age ~ https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Science-A-New-Golden-Age.pdf
- Council on Governmental Relations (COGR) Issue Brief (July 10, 2026): Co-Authorship and Foreign Collaborations ~ https://www.cogr.edu/blog/issue-brief-co-authorship-and-foreign-collaborations
Federal Agency Notices (click on each agency tab below to review their updates)
Public Comment Period on NSF Guidance (June 24, 2026)
The National Science Foundation (NSF) requested public comment on the draft NSF Guidance on Financial Assistance (GFA) which will replace the current Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide (PAPPG) (see the notice in the Federal Register). The comment period closes on August 24, 2026.
Required Research Security Training (February 5, 2026)
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has announced that starting August 5, 2026, “covered individuals” on federal financial assistance awards (grants and cooperative agreements applicants/recipients), must certify to NASA they have taken research security training prior to submission of proposals (see NASA Research Security Training Requirements).
- Who must take the training? Any Principal Investigator (PI) (regardless of level of effort), any Co-PI (regardless of level of effort), and Co-Investigators (Co-I) proposing to spend ten percent or more of their time in any given year on a NASA-funded federal financial assistance award (grant or cooperative agreement).
- What training will satisfy this requirement? Completing the USNH CITI Program research security training will satisfy this requirement.
Recent Updates: Supporting a Safe and Respectful Workplace at Institutions that Receive NIH Funding (August 12, 2026)
Research environments free from harassment, bullying, retaliation, and other hostile working conditions are fundamental to the conduct of NIH-supported biomedical studies. These conditions enable trainees, staff, and collaborators to work effectively while preserving scientific integrity, protecting the biomedical research workforce, and ensuring the responsible stewardship of public funds. Accordingly, maintaining a safe, respectful, and professional workplace is a mandatory condition of every NIH award (see NIH Grants Policy Statement (NIH GPS), Section 4).
The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026 (Public Law 119-75), signed into law on February 3, 2026, included important updates related to handling investigations undertaken due to concerns about harassment, bullying, retaliation, or hostile working conditions involving senior/key personnel on NIH awards. These requirements were incorporated in the FY 2026 NIHGPS, Section 8.1.2.6).
NIH Issues FAQs on the Application of Grants Policy Notice NOT-OD-26-072 (August 2026)
The notice "rescinded" the increase in the subaward threshold from $25,000 to $50,000 for MTDC purposes and the increase in the de minimis IDC rate from 10% to 15%. These new FAQs state that both decreased thresholds are effective as of the date of the notice, April 20, 2026, even if the higher subaward threshold is included in an institution's federally negotiated indirect cost rate agreement.
NIH Data Management and Sharing Plan Requirements (July 29, 2026)
Beginning in FY 2027, NIH will require all existing awards and applications subject to the NIH Data Management and Sharing (DMS) Policy to transition and align with the updated DMS Plan format. This requirement applies regardless of when the competing application was submitted. The notice describes the expected transition and reporting requirements for adoption of the updated DMS plan format.
For more information, see https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-26-100.html
NIH Replacing Letters of Support with Letters of Collaboration (July 27, 2026)
NIH letters of support will be replaced with letters of collaboration. Currently, letters of support for NIH applications may come from a variety of stakeholders, including collaborators, institutions, potential users of a resource, or any other interested parties, and can be a page or more in length.
With the implementation of Forms J in Fiscal Year 2027, NIH will no longer allow letters of support but will instead require letters of collaboration to document any collaborative relationships with individuals that are not identified in the application as senior/key personnel or other significant contributors. Because senior/key personnel and other significant contributors must provide biosketches in the application, letters of collaboration from them are unnecessary and burdensome. Letters of collaboration will also be used to document other relevant contributions to the project's success, such as Material Transfer Agreements.
For more information, see https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-26-094.html
Revised General Terms and Conditions (December 31, 2025)
The USDA released revised standardized General Terms and Conditions for all grants, effective 12/31/2025.
DOE Revises Financial Conflict of Interest and Commitment Requirements (July 16, 2026)
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has revised its financial conflict of interest requirements, effective Monday, August 17.
Under the new requirements, individuals identified as covered individuals on a funding opportunity must disclose any actual, apparent or potential conflicts of interest (COI) or conflicts of commitment (COC) at the proposal stage if the institution receives the award. Changes that occur after submission can be reported later.
The new requirements help DOE identify potential conflicts of interest and commitment, including those involving foreign governments or foreign government-controlled entities, before an award is made. Early disclosure allows DOE to evaluate whether identified conflicts can be mitigated, assess proposed project personnel, and reduce the risk of delays or barriers to award. Read the rule by the Department of Energy.
