Mandatory Common Forms - Effective January 25, 2026
NIH is implementing new requirements for Common Forms for Biographical Sketch and Current and Pending (Other) Support for researchers.
Key Policy Updates
- New Common Forms Required: The Common Forms for Biographical Sketch and Current and Pending (Other) Support (along with an NIH Supplement) are mandatory for all applications, JIT, RPPRs, and prior approval submissions with due dates on or after January 25, 2026. These forms must be completed and certified in SciENcv.
Note: These forms will be enforced via eRA system errors starting February 6, 2026, and failure to use them may result in application withdrawal. - MFTRP Prohibition: Effective January 25, 2026, individuals who are a party to a Malign Foreign Talent Recruitment Program (MFTRP) are ineligible to serve as senior/key personnel.
- Mandatory Certification: All senior/key personnel must certify their non-participation in an MFTRP:
- At Application: Via the Common Form for Biographical Sketch.
- Annually: Within the Research Performance Progress Report (RPPR). Senior/key personnel must certify annually to their participation or non-participation in an MFTRP by uploading a certification statement in Section G.1
- Institutional Training: Institutions must maintain and provide training to senior/key personnel on all disclosure policies and procedures.
Steps to take:
- Complete the institutional research security training previously announced in August, 2025. Details can be found HERE and you can also discuss with your Sponsored Programs Officer. Materials will not be submitted by OSPA until all Sr./Key Personnel have completed required trainings.
- Obtain an ORCID ID and link it to your eRA Commons account.
- Familiarize yourself with SciENcv and its features. Background information can be found on the NLM website.
- Review the INSTRUCTIONS and FAQs for the new forms.
