NIH Announces Unified Funding Strategy to Guide Award Decisions
Published December 02, 2025
By AACOM Government Relations
Federal Policy
OME Advocate
- On November 21, 2025, the NIH announced a new unified strategy for funding policies at Institutes, Centers and Offices (ICOs) to guide “consistent and clearer award Decisions.” This strategy will take effect in January 2026.
- Under the framework, ICO policies should prioritize scientific merit, through peer review in its entirety rather than funding paylines. They should also align with NIH’s mission and the availability of ICO funds, promote broad funding distribution across a wide breadth of relevant topics and promote sustainability of the biomedical research workforce. ICO directors will retain the authority to determine what is funded by their ICOs.
- More detailed information on the funding policy framework can be found on the NIH Funding Decisions webpage.
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