NSM Faculty/Staff Newsletter

From the Office of the Dean

May 2026

NSM Virtual Suggestion Box

Share Your Suggestions

Have an idea or feedback to improve the College? The NSM Virtual Suggestion Box lets faculty and staff share thoughts on programs, processes and workplace culture. Submissions are confidential unless you choose to include your name or email. Your input helps strengthen NSM and guide ongoing improvements.

Office of Research Update

Recent Awards

Congratulations to the following faculty members for their recent awards:

  • Tai-Yen Chen (CHEM) was awarded $2,158,750 from NIGMS: Deciphering the Role of Ctr1 Oligomeric States in Copper Homeostasis and Neuronal Differentiation
  • Liming Li (PHY) was awarded $558,935 from NASA: Jupiter’s Radiant Energy Budget: Full-Disk Temporal Variations and Polar Region Analysis
  • Jeremy May (CHEM) was awarded $351,000 from The Welch Foundation: New Reactivity Enabled by Ouroboros Transition States
  • Demetrio Labate (MATH) was awarded $349,980 from Northrop Grumman: Phase 2 - Shearlet-Based Approach to X-Ray Imaging Fast Objects in Novel Environments (Saxifone)
  • Shiv Halasyamani (CHEM) was awarded $125,814 from University of Missouri: Semiconductor Radiovoltaic Battery with Integrated Emitter

* The awards listed above are extracted from the awards report generated through PeopleSoft Grants system. This report includes only the awards that are fully set up with cost centers available for expenditures. Any incoming awards pending in the system will not be reported until the setup is complete.

General Reminders

New Timeline for NSM Proposal Submissions

In order to spread out the workload, ensure accurate review of proposal materials, and to meet deadlines imposed by other institutions on subawards, the NSM Office of Research has revised its timeline for proposal submissions. Notably, the pre-submission questionnaire and an outline of the budget must be received 25 business days prior to the grant deadline. All final materials must be received at least 5 business days prior to the deadline.

Proposal Pre-Submission Questionnaire

Please let the Office of Research know about your upcoming submissions by filling out our online Proposal Pre-submission Questionnaire. This form gathers all the most pertinent information for each proposal. Please complete it at least 25 business days prior to the deadline.

Looking for New Funding Opportunities?

Check out the NSM Office of Research’s Funding Opportunities webpage. Here you will find a list of funding opportunities curated to the interests of NSM faculty. The list is updated monthly, so check back often.

Please check out the NSM Office of Research website for useful links and information.

– The NSM Research Team

What’s New in the Office of Research?

Award Kick-Off Meeting

The NSM Office of Research now offers Award Kick-Off Meetings for any NSM faculty who receive a new award. This meeting is to bring the Investigators, Department Business Administrators responsible for managing the award, and your Research Liaison Officer assisted with the application together to review key elements of the award. The investigator can share their vision of the project, while the RLO and DBA can go over the nuance of the approved plan to bring everybody on the same page for the execution of the award. Please reach out to your RLO for a smooth transition from a proposal to an award.

Pre-Award Checklist for Export Control and Information Security

Export control, trade compliance, and “Research Security” regulations and requirements have expanded significantly in recent years and now have institution-wide impact for research universities.

The University of Houston is implementing a new “pre-award checklist for export control and information security” online form which must be completed Prior to each application submission. It is brief and should only take no more than 3 minutes. Once complete, please be sure to submit and print the PDF of your responses. Forward the PDF to your research liaison officer.

Required Research Security Training Available in CITI

All Federal agencies either currently or will eventually require research security training for all covered individuals on grant applications. A research security training course must be completed within the 12 months prior to the application. Covered individuals must certify that they have received this training on the Current and Pending Support document.

UH offers Research Security Training through the CITI Program. If your CITI profile is not affiliated with UH, please add it before beginning the training. There are four Research Security Training modules, and each will take approximately one hour to complete.

  • Introduction to Research Security (ID 21304)
  • The Importance of Disclosure (ID 21305)
  • Risk Mitigation and Management (ID 21306)
  • The Importance of International Collaboration (ID 21307)

Special Feature

Have you ever wondered why the lead time for submitting a proposal is getting longer and longer each year? This report from the Council on Governmental Relations (COGR) chronicles the “Changes in Federal Research Requirements Since 1991” and offers insights to the evolving landscape.

Graph
Regulations & Policies Adopted or Substantially Modified & Changes in Interpretation Affecting Federal Research. Cumulative Since 1991.

Sponsor Updates

National Institute of Health

Mandatory Use of Common Forms for the Biosketch and Current and Pending (Other) Support Documents is Now in Effect

The current leniency period previously communicated in NOT-OD-26-033 ended on May 7, 2026. As of May 8, all Biosketches and CP Support documents must be prepared with the NIH Common Forms templates found in SciENcv. Failure to use the Common Forms will result in errors upon submission and rejection of the application. Learn More ›

ORCID + eRA Commons Profile Linking is Now Required

Open Researcher and Contributor Identification (ORCID) provides each researcher with a unique persistent digital identifier that connects researchers with their professional accomplishments over time, regardless of changes to their name, location, title, or institution. All senior/key personnel on NIH grants must (1) have an ORCID iD and (2) link their ORCID to their eRA Commons profile. The ORCID iD must appear in the Persistent Identifier (PID) section of the Common Forms. Instructions for linking can be found here.

Research Security Training is Now Required for all NIH Key Personnel

If you have not already done so, complete the research security training course in CITI. This must be completed before generating your Biosketch and CP Support documents in SciENcv because both documents contain certifications stating that the key person has completed this training.

Updated Elements of an NIH Data Management and Sharing Plan (NOT-OD-26-046)

This Guide Notice is intended to update DMS Plan elements to clarify common areas of confusion in the research community while streamlining and simplifying DMS Plans. Since the DMS Policy went into effect in 2023, NIH Institutes, Centers, and Offices have evaluated over 1,100 DMS Plans and found that while the majority were acceptable either initially or after minor revisions, many included extraneous details and exceeded the recommended DMS Plan length. NIH is revising DMS Plan elements and requiring the use of the corresponding format page to aid compliance monitoring. Learn More ›

Update of NIH Late Application Submission Policy and End of Continuous Submission (NOT-OD-26-064)

For those who serve on review or advisory groups, NIH will no longer accept Continuous Submission applications after August 10, 2026 (the end of the continuous submission receipt period for the June/July standard due dates) for assignment to January 2027 Council. After August 10th, late applications will be accepted for those who serve on study sections or advisory committees only if the meeting takes place within 4 weeks before to 4 weeks after the due date. The grace period for late applications is 2 weeks after the deadline. Learn More ›

Learn Your Letters (of Reference or Support)

Get an overview of reference letters and letters of support: when to use them, who writes them, and what key information you should include for reviewers and NIH staff. Learn More ›

Streamlined Way to Learn About NIH Institutes, Centers, and Offices: Profile Pages

Explore our new NIH Institute, Center, and Office (ICO) Profiles, a central resource to simplify how applicants and researchers learn about NIH grant and funding information, instead of needing to visit multiple different ICO websites. Learn More ›

Updated NIH Fellowship Resources Are Available

The complete Focus on Fellowships video series has been updated to include parts 3 and 4. As a reminder, NIH fellowships are open to early career scientists, including those at the predoctoral and postdoctoral level. Learn More ›

Announcing New Application and Award Structure for NIH-Funded International Collaborations (Replacing Foreign Subawards)

NIH announced a new application and award structure last week for applications that request funding for international component organizations. Effective for due dates on or after January 25, 2026, competing applications must be in response to a funding opportunity using a new grant type when requesting NIH funding for one or more foreign components. Learn More ›

NIH Requires Research Security Training Starting May 2026

The Research Security Training will be required for NIH applications submitted for due dates on or after May 25, 2026 (NOT-OD-26-017).

Implementing a Unified NIH Funding Strategy to Guide Consistent and Clearer Award Decisions

NIH has implemented steps towards a unified strategy that will help guide clearer and consistent funding decisions across all Institutes, Centers, and Offices (ICOs). Learn More ›

Introducing Highlighted Topics: A Centralized and Simple Resource to Learn about Research Areas of Interest to NIH

NIH announced a new centralized and simplified web resource that informs the research community about particular areas of science of interest to NIH. Visiting this resource early and often when conceptualizing your research ideas will help ensure you are aware of some of NIH’s latest scientific interests. Learn More ›

Updates to NIH Inclusion Policy

When you prepare inclusion plans for your next applications or data for progress reports, review the updated NIH Policy and Guidelines on the Inclusion of Women and Minorities as Subjects in Clinical Research, effective August 16, 2025 for both new and ongoing clinical research projects. Learn More ›

Apply Responsibly: Policy on AI Use in NIH Research Applications and Limiting Submissions per PI

NIH has recently announced a new policy that will continue to support originality, creativity, and fairness in the research application process. Learn More ›

NIH “Implementation of New Initiatives and Policies” Page is Now Available

This page serves as a central location where you can learn more about the status of changes impacting NIH grants process and plans for implementing new initiatives and policies.

Check these resources often for the latest in funding opportunities and topic ideas from NIH

National Science Foundation

New Format for the Data Management and Sharing Plan (DMSP)

NSF has implemented a new format for the DMSP. Rather than a PDF upload, it is now a webform that is built directly within the research.gov application. The webform is customized to the primary Directorate selected at the time of proposal creation. These changes reflect the supplemental policy notice NSF 26-202 published January 22, 2026.

Reminder: Research Ssecurity Training is Required for All NSF Key personnel

Research security training must be completed within 12 months prior to proposal submission. Completion of the UH-sponsored CITI course satisfies this requirement.

Directorate for Biological Sciences Update

The U.S. National Science Foundation Directorate for Biological Sciences has posted an update with new information on:

  • Scientific reorganization and thematic areas.
  • Proposal submission information.
  • Recently released funding opportunity for the NSF Postdoctoral Research Fellowships in Biology program.
NSF Expands Research Misconduct to Cover AI Misuse

NSF released a supplement to the PAPPG that includes a revised definition of research misconduct, which will apply to all financial assistance awarded on or after December 8, 2025. Learn More ›

  • Chapter XII.C is revised to incorporate the use of artificial intelligence (AI)-based tools. The underlined text has been added:
    • RESEARCH MISCONDUCT means fabrication, falsification, or plagiarism, whether committed by an individual directly or through the use or assistance of other persons, entities, or tools, including artificial intelligence (AI)-based tools, in proposing or performing research funded by NSF, reviewing research proposals submitted to NSF, or in reporting research results funded by NSF.
NSF Office of the Chief of Research Security Strategy and Policy (OCRSSP) Release of an NSF Important Notice

The notice introduces several key policy changes aimed at safeguarding the integrity of NSF-supported research:

  • Revised Timelines for Foreign Financial Disclosures (In Effect)
  • Mandatory Research Security Training (Effective October 10)
  • Annual Certification Requirement Regarding Prohibition on Participation in Malign Foreign Talent Recruitment Programs (In Effect)
  • Prohibition on Hosting Confucius Institutes (Effective October 10)

The full notice can be found here: NSF Important Notice to Awardee Organizations

If you have any questions about the Important Notice, please contact researchsecurity@nsf.gov and include “Important Notice” in the subject line.

New Annual Malign Foreign Talent Recruitment Program Certification for PIs/co-PIs

The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) is providing this correspondence to inform organizations, and Authorized Organizational Representatives, of a new annual certification requirement for Principal Investigators (PIs) and co-Principal Investigators (co-PIs) regarding Malign Foreign Talent Recruitment Programs (MFTRP).

Starting on June 7, 2025, in accordance with the NSF Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide (PAPPG) Chapter II.D.1.e(ii), all PIs or co-PIs named on an NSF award made on or after May 20, 2024, must certify annually in Research.gov that they are not party to a MFTRP. Individuals who are currently a party to a MFTRP are not eligible to serve as senior/key personnel on an NSF proposal or on any NSF award made on or after May 20, 2024. NSF is providing notification of this new requirement to impacted PIs and co-PIs.

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Sub-Award Reporting

The General Services Administration retired FSRS.gov as of March 6, 2025, and SAM.gov is the new platform for subaward reporting. (Grantees were informed in March via GSA)

Modifications to the Grant and Cooperative Agreement Manual (GCAM) and the Grant and Cooperative Agreement Terms and Conditions (GCAT) are necessary to effectuate the necessary changes to agency policy affecting stakeholders and persons/entities responsible for grant administration.

New Technology Reporting

In accordance with Executive Order (EO) 14104, agencies are now required to transition all unclassified subject invention reporting to iEdison, no later than December 31, 2025. Grant and cooperative agreement recipients will be required to report in iEdison, while NASA civil servants will continue to submit subject invention reports in e-NTR.

Department of Defense

New Formatting Requirements for the Biosketch and Other Support

The DoD is transitioning to the Common Forms for the Biosketch and Other Support (current and pending support) documents. Effective immediately, the DoD offers two choices for preparation of these documents. These rules apply to both regular DOD applications and CDMRP applications.

  1. Export from SciENcv (recommended)
  2. Use of the DoD approved templates. The instructions for these can be found in the general application instructions. Each document must include a certification statement signed by the PI. The signature certifies that the information is accurate, all domestic and foreign appointments are disclosed, and the PI is not party to a malign foreign talent recruitment program.

Department of Energy

Formatting Requirements for the Biosketch and Other Support

DOE now requires the use of SciENcv to prepare the Biosketch and Current and Pending Support documents. Choose “DOE Biographical Sketch” or “DOE Current and Pending (Other) Support” from the dropdown menu in SciENcv.

Required Research Security Training Available in CITI

The Department of Energy will require any NOFO application with a due date after May 1, 2025, that covered individuals complete Research Security Training within the 12 months prior to the application. Covered individuals must certify via Current and Pending Support that they have completed the training. Other agencies will require this training in the future as well.

University of Houston

Announcements

International Travel Policies at the University of Houston

University guidelines and policies can be found online at the following sites. Please review these resources and complete all required steps before initiating any international travel.

  • All official international travel with or by students must be registered with UH Learning Abroad, including faculty-led and individual student research abroad.
  • Faculty and staff international travel and research must meet export control regulations. Details are available online.
Publication and Printing Costs

DOR has published additional guidance on Publication and Printing Costs as a direct charge to federal awards. Learn More ›

Faculty Guidance on DOD and NSF Indirect Cost Rates

If faculty receive instructions from a DOD directorate to submit or resubmit a proposal using the 15% indirect cost rate, please provide the language from the May 14 DOD memo that clarifies the cap is not yet in effect and is still under development. Similarly, if faculty receive an NSF award or amendment referencing a 15% cap, even for existing awards, please note that this contradicts both NSF Policy Notice 25-034 and a court-ordered stay.

Please send any correspondence to doraward@central.uh.edu for review before accepting terms.

Federal Funding Updates Webpage

The UH Division of Research has published a new webpage with resources for recent and upcoming changes to proposals, awards, and agency operations during the federal administration transition. You can also submit questions pertaining to recent federal funding changes to DOR directly on this webpage.

Available to Watch on SharePoint

Catch Up on All of Last Semester’s Virtual Events and Segments

Catch up on all of last semester’s virtual events and segments covering important topics in award management, compliance, research security, University resources and agency updates. Watch Now ›

Getting Started with ORCID

Andrea Malone of UH Libraries walks you through the process of setting up your ORCID iD and adding works to your profile. Watch on SharePoint ›

Hanover Research

Sign up for alerts for webinars and other grant services offered by Hanover Research.

Hanover Grants Calendars

Hanover publishes several Grants Calendars centered on certain funding interests as part of their effort to monitor the funding landscape and facilitate strategic planning. Here are a few that might be of interest to NSM faculty:

Hanover Watch On-Demand

Hanover has these additional resources:

Gulf Coast Consortium News

GCC Job Board

Looking for a postdoc or research position at a GCC member institution? The GCC Job Board currently lists several positions. The Job Board is where graduating Ph.D. students and postdocs from GCC institutions can post their resumes and search for jobs at GCC institutions.

To place a resume on the Job Board, register as a Job Seeker and enter the requested information. To place a job opening, register as a GCC Recruiter and enter the requested information. Anyone not from a GCC institution can register through Public Access and view job openings and resumes but cannot place anything on the Job Board.

Looking for a Particular Piece of Equipment?

Did you know that the GCC has a Shared Equipment and Resource Committee composed of the Directors/Leaders in equipment inventory and acquisition from each of the GCC institutions? If you are looking for a particular piece of equipment, please email Suzanne Tomlinson (smtomlin@rice.edu), and the committee members will work together to try to locate it and introduce you to the PI who owns/administers it. View GCC Shared Core Facilities

Upcoming Events

Register Now: Mentoring Up Workshop for Ph.D. Students Trainees, May 21

This full-day workshop helps Ph.D. students become aware of their role and responsibilities in the mentoring relationship. By developing the skills and insights presented in the Research Mentor Training, predoctoral trainees can better navigate the challenges of being a mentee. Thur., May 21, 9:30am-3:30pm. Location: Bioscience Research Collaborative (BRC). Facilitators: Vicki Alger, MA, GCC; Gabrielle Ferguson, LMSW, Houston Methodist Research Inst.; Evelin Young, Ph.D., Lead, Office of Postdoctoral Affairs, Baylor College of Medicine. Registration ›

Save the Date: Research Mentor Training Workshop for Faculty - In-person, June 5

This in-person, 6-hour, evidence-based workshop helps develop skills and insights in mentoring through interactions and discussions. Workshops cover aspects of mentoring junior scientists in the lab. Designed for faculty. Fri., June 5, 9:30 AM – 3:30 PM (note new date). Location: BioScience Research Collaborative. Registration coming soon.

Save the Date and Call for Abstracts, Posters Now Open: 5th Annual AI in Health Conference, September 15–17

The Ken Kennedy Institute at Rice University is hosting the 5th annual AI in Health Conference - an outlook for the next decade in AI, machine learning & health. This conference provides an annual update on the current landscape of artificial intelligence in health and presents a research-driven outlook for the future of computational health innovation. Opportunities for prospective speakers to submit abstracts and students, postdocs, and early-stage researchers to submit posters for presentation are now available. Abstract Submissions due Wed., June 10. Poster Submissions due Wed., July 1. Participation details here. GCC is an ecosystem partner. Location: Bioscience Research Collaborative. More information can be found on the conference website.

Save the Date: 36th Keck Annual Research Conference on Spatial Biology, November 6

Keynote speakers: Rong Fan, Yale Univ, and Miranda Orr, Washington Univ. School of Medicine. More presenters will be announced soon. Spatial biology is a rapidly advancing field that studies cells and molecular interactions within their native tissue environment, providing new insight into disease mechanisms, therapeutic response, and precision medicine. The 2026 conference will bring together leaders across disciplines to introduce emerging technologies, computational approaches, and translational applications. The conference and poster session will also highlight the outstanding research of trainees in the inter-institutional training programs administered by the GCC/Keck Center. Conference Co-Chairs are Li-av Segev Zarko, Univ. of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, and Hong Zhao, Houston Methodist Research Inst. Location: BioScience Research Collaborative. More information can be found on the conference website.