NOT-OD-26-033

NIH has announced an updated timeline for adopting the new Common Forms for Biographical Sketch and Current & Pending (Other) Support. Originally required for use starting January 25, 2026, NIH is extending the leniency period through May 2026 to give institutions and applicants more time to transition. During this period, applications that do not use the Common Forms will trigger a warning but will not be withdrawn.

The extension responds to significant technical issues experienced following the December 2025 rollout in SciENcv and eRA systems, including latency challenges and account merger backlogs. The revised timeline also ensures alignment with the Research Security Training Requirements outlined in NOT OD 26 017. NIH encourages applicants to begin using the Common Forms as soon as feasible, but full enforcement will not begin until after the leniency period ends.