Sponsored Programs Administration

SciENcv Biosketches:  We are aware of an issue in Kuali Research that a Validation Service Error for System to System proposals related to the new Biosketch requirement is prohibiting proposals from being submitted into routing. Kuali is working with NIH to resolve this error. If you have a proposal due on or after June 5th to NIH please hold off on trying to route those proposals at this time. We will reach out to other departments for NIH proposals due on 5/25, 5/26 or 5/27 with possible workarounds.

Reminder for NIH proposals:  Please ensure that each Key Person's eCommons ID is linked with their ORCiD.

NIH PF5 information: 

• New Video Overview for NIH’s Collaborative International Research Projects (PF5).
• Applications must be routed in Kuali Research (follow instructions for sponsor portal submission) and in ASSIST for submission. Direct questions about ASSIST to SPA-Proposals@umaryland.edu
• Add foreign collaborators (entity name and address) into the Other Organizations tab in KR
• Budget info – two components:
  • The summary high-level budget entered into KR should be for the UMB portion only (including domestic subs or domestic vendor expenses) High-level KR Budget - Summary Budget Method
  • Also attach a spreadsheet (in the Attachments section of the proposal) that has the entire budget including the foreign components
• No change in how Key Persons are entered into KR
• Foreign Key Persons should still be added in KR if they are considered Key Persons
• Add a draft copy of the Assist proposal in the Attachments

NIH Salary Cap: Effective January 11, 2026, the salary limitation for Executive Level II is $228,000.

Link to the notice: https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-26-034.html

NIH Removing AIDS Application Due Dates from NOFOs: This Notice alerts the extramural research community that NIH is removing AIDS application due dates from the application process. This policy change is effective for applications submitted for January, 2027 and later Advisory Council Reviews.

Link to the notice:  https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-26-029.html

NOT-OD-26-018 NIH’s Implementation of Common Forms for Biographical Sketch and Current and Pending (Other) Support for Due Dates on or after January 25, 2026 (12/5/25): The notice includes a table that includes the types of activities to be reported, where such activities must be reported in the application, as well as when updates are required in the application and award lifecycle.  
NIH Biosketch and Other Support Changes - SPA's training/guidance for the NIH implementation, including how to create an ORCID ID, getting started with SciENcv, and linking the ORCID ID with an eRA Commons account. 
NIH Biosketch Instructions
NIH FAQs

NOT-OD-25-104 Updated NIH Policy on Foreign Subawards (5/1/25):  "Effective with the date of this notice and until the details of the new foreign collaboration award structure are released, NIH will not issue awards to domestic or foreign entities (new, renewal or non-competing continuation), that include a subaward to a foreign entity. Additionally, NIH will no longer accept prior approval requests to add a new foreign component or subaward to an ongoing project."
More information and guidance

"Foreign Justification" attachment on NIH grants (4/18/25): In the Questionnaire labeled "S2S FAT & Flat", there is the following question: Does this project involve activities outside of the United States or partnerships with international collaborators? Respond YES if the project includes a foreign component. If YES:

• Enter the countries with which international cooperative activities are involved. 
• The "briefly explain" field is optional but will print to the Other Project Information form if entered. 
• A Foreign Justification attachment is required. In the body of the text, begin the section with a heading indicating “Foreign Justification” and name the file “Foreign Justification.” Upload it to the attachment type Other and enter Foreign Justification in the description field.

This requirement/instruction is not new and is being enforced. See NIH NOT-OD-25-098. There is no eCommons or KR validation for this attachment. NIH R-series proposal checklist.

New NIH resource:  Implementation of New Initiatives and Policies - Keep up with the "status of changes impacting NIH grants process and plans for implementing new initiatives and policies."  

SPA Notices Archive:  Reminders, updates, and announcements from past months

Kuali Research Proposal Training 

SPARKS  - These training/information sessions are scheduled on the third Tuesday of the month at 9:00 am. Sessions will run an hour or less, including a presentation followed by Q&A. Click the link above for past session links and the next session topic. An announcement with a Zoom link will be sent to the RAC email list before each session.

SPA-SPAC Update meetings scheduled!  Mark your calendars and watch the RAC emails for the agenda and link closer to the meeting date:

• June 9, 2026 - 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
• September 2, 2026 - 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
• December 2, 2026 - 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Contact Jill Frankenfield with suggestions for agenda items or future topics.

SPA-SPAC Meeting Archive of past presentations.