March 11, 2026
NIH has released a new funding opportunity announcement, PA-26-002, to support applications that involve funded international research collaborations. This announcement reflects an important structural change in how NIH will support and review foreign collaborations within U.S.-led research projects.
Background
In recent years, NIH has undertaken a broader effort to strengthen transparency and oversight of foreign components in federally funded research. As part of this effort, NIH is introducing a revised approach to applications that include foreign collaborators. Rather than embedding all foreign activities within the primary domestic award, the new structure allows NIH to more clearly track and manage international components of funded research.
Key Aspects of PA-26-002
All proposals involving foreign subawards must now be submitted in response to PA-26-002 and follow NIH's multi-component application package. Deadlines will also follow NIH's standard deadlines for multi-component submissions.
Each foreign institution must have its own International Project Component (IPC). Combining foreign institutions into one IPC is not allowed.
Foreign IPCs must include their own 6-page research strategy, budget, facilities & other resources, biosketches, performance site details, and any other required attachments applicable to their work. They must also include a letter of support from their Authorized Organization Representative (AOR) stating that they understand that they will become the PD/PI and recipient of a separate RF2 award and will complete all require registrations.
The application will be submitted as one by WCM via ASSIST but is disaggregated at the time of award. If funded, NIH will issue separate linked awards: PF5 (WCM) and RF2(each foreign organization).
Foreign Organization Compliance Requirements
Foreign organizations must obtain an NCAGE code to register in SAM.gov, where a required Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) will be assigned. After SAM.gov registration is complete, organizations must also register in eRA Commons and Grants.Gov.
If registrations are still in progress at the time of submission, NIH permits a temporary placeholder UEI.
Indirect costs for each foreign organization are still capped at 8%. WCM will not recover indirect costs over these awards, as they will not be subawards.
IPC budgets may not include subawards to other foreign organizations but may include other domestic collaborations.
Application Review Stage
Technical merit review will follow the standard process for other multi component application reviews. Reviewers will:
- Provide an overall impact score for the project as a whole
- Comment on the specific review criteria for individual component
For International Project Components, reviewers will evaluate:
- Whether the project presents special opportunities for advancing research programs with unusual talent, resources, populations, or environmental conditions in other countries that are not readily available in the U.S. or that augment existing U.S. resources.
- Whether the proposed project has specific relevance to the mission and objectives of the IC and has the potential to significantly advance health sciences in the U.S.
- If the resources available at the lead international organization site are sufficient to accomplish the proposed scope of work, are adequately requested through the budget, or are otherwise described (e.g., through Letters of Support) in the International Project.
Award Stage
JIT information will be requested from both the PF5 domestic site and RF2 foreign site. If not already completed, the RF2 applicant(s) must also verify registration in SAM.gov, Grants.gov, and eRA Commons.
If selected for funding, NIH will issue a PF5 to the domestic organization and RF2 to the foreign organization. Each will be responsible for ensuring the terms and conditions are met. Each will submit their own RPPR and financial reports.
NOTE: Disaggregating a PF5 application is not a funding guarantee. NIH may fund all, some, or none of the components of the application based on:
- Technical merit
- Materials submitted through JIT process; and
- Agency priorities
Next Steps
- Engage early to review applications structure and requirements.
- Advise foreign collaborations to complete required registrations as early as possible.
- Advise foreign PI and key personnel that they must have an active Commons ID linked to an ORCID ID and SciENcv profiles.
- Reach out to your assigned OSRA Specialist to set up training on ASSIST, as needed.