Announcing New NIH International Collaborative Project Resources

In September 2025, the NIH released NOT-OD-25-155 establishing a new process for proposals and awards that include NIH-funded international collaborations. Currently, all competing applications that involve an NIH-funded international collaborator must utilize either the PF5 Activity Code for grants or the UF5 Activity Code for cooperative agreements. 

NOT-OD-25-155 provides additional information on the new application structure. Funding Opportunity PA-26-002 outlines application instructions and applicable due dates. Please note that the first applications under the PF5 activity type will be due on May 26th due to the holiday.

To support our research community in this transition, a new 10-minute training video, Understanding the New NIH Structure for International Collaborations, has been released and is available on the OSP Training Refreshers page under Short Video Refreshers. The training provides an overview of the new requirements as well as important considerations before embarking on a PF5 or UF5 proposal. a PF5 or UF5 proposal.

Additional resources are available below:

Template Letter of Support for International Collaborators

NIH Multi-Project Instructions

Video Overview for NIH’s New Collaborative International Research Projects (PF5)

NIH FAQs – Foreign Subaward Policy

Please reach out to your central submitting office contact should you have any questions.