Updates from Sponsored Programs to BU’s research community.
NIH Prior Approval Requirement for Changes to Domestic Subawards, Effective June 1, 2026
NIH is updating the prior approval requirement for changes to domestic subawards on all NIH grants and cooperative agreements, effective June 1, 2026. For full details, read NIH notice NOT-OD-26-062 and the summary of changes below. Summary of Changes Effective June 1, 2026, all prime recipients are now required to obtain NIH prior approval when […]
NIH, AHRQ, and HRSA Announce FY 2026 Updates to NRSA Stipends, Tuition/Fees, and Other Budgetary Levels
Stipend levels are announced for government fiscal year 2026 (FY 2026) Kirschstein-National Research Service Awards (NRSA) for undergraduate, predoctoral, and postdoctoral trainees and fellows. Training-related expenses and institutional allowances for predoctoral and postdoctoral trainees and fellows remain unchanged from the prior budget year. The tuition and fees for all educational levels remained unchanged from the […]
Free Login: Upcoming Webinars Hosted by NCURA
The National Council of University Research Administrators (NCURA) has two upcoming webinars that are free for all members of the BU community (no membership required). How to register To participate, please use the contact form to request the registration links. The below links will provide a description of the sessions, but the free registration links […]
Research Administration Intensive for Department Administrators Spring 2026
Tuesday, May 5 | 8 am – 5 pm Photonics Center 8 St. Mary’s Street, 9th Floor, Boston MA 02215 Sponsored Programs is hosting a Research Administration Intensive (RAI) for BU department and grant administrators, covering the entire grant project lifecycle. Sessions in both pre-award and post-award will be offered. This 1-Day In-Person Training for […]
Department Administrator Forum: SciENcv and Available Resources
Hosted by Ashley Bens, Training and Development Director of Sponsored Programs We invited all Boston University staff involved in Research Administration to join the Department Administrator (DA) Forum on April 2 from 10:00 am to 11:30 am. This session provided a comprehensive overview of preparing biosketch and current and pending/other support documents in SciENcv, how […]
Excellence in Research: Staff Advisory Council Lift-Off Series Closing Keynote
Thursday, March 26 | 11 am – 12:30 pm Hiebert Lounge (Room 1407), BUMC Instructional (L) Building 72 East Concord Street, Floor 14, Boston, MA 02118 What does it mean to lead with excellence in your research career ? Join us for this panel discussion wrapping up our Lift-Off Series on the BU Medical Campus, […]
Updated Elements of an NIH Data Management and Sharing Plan
NIH is updating the required elements of a Data Management and Sharing Plan (DMS Plan) effective for applications due on or after May 25, 2026. See NIH guidance NOT-OD-26-046 for full details. As a reminder, the NIH Data Management and Sharing Policy requires applicants to submit a DMS Plan for any NIH-funded or conducted research […]
Research Administration Event: NIH Fellowship Award (F31/F32) Informational Session
In advance of the NIH deadline for Fellowship applications (April 8, 2026), we invited Boston University staff and graduate students involved in research administration for an informational session on the preparation and submission of F-series proposals, as well as the management of NIH Fellowship grants once awarded. This session focused on specific pain points of […]
Personnel Activity Reports (PARs) Have Been Distributed to Department Administrators/Effort Coordinators
To comply with Federal Regulations, all Boston University employees who are paid from Sponsored Research funds receive a Personnel Activity Report (PAR) on a semi-annual basis to review and certify their salary and effort. PARs for the period July – December 2025 have been distributed this week (2/9/26) via email to department administrators/effort coordinators. Please […]
Recent NIH Notices and Updates
Sponsored Programs would like to bring to your attention recent NIH Notices and Updates impacting awards and proposals. If you have any questions, please contact your Pre Award Officer. NIH Requires Use of the eRA Prior Approval Module for the Submission of ALL Prior Approval Requests (NOT-OD-26-026) Below are the prior approval request types that are available in eRA Commons for NIH applicants and recipients that […]