Month: January 2026

On February 12, 2026, from 3:00 PM – 4:15 PM ET (2:00–3:15 PM CT/1:00–2:15 PM MT), NIH and the Front Range Biosafety Association will co-host the 5^th virtual listening session on advancing efforts to modernize and strengthen biosafety oversight.

The meeting is free and open to the public. Registration is required if planning to make an oral statement at the listening session. Those planning to only view the listening session are kindly requested, but not required, to register. Priority speaking slots will be given to participants located in Region 5 of NIH’s stakeholder map. More information about the goals of the listening session, as well as a draft agenda, webcast information, and registration information can be found on the meeting page of the OSP Website. 

For additional information on NIH’s Biosafety Modernization Initiative, including how you can provide on-demand ideas and comments, please visit here.

Questions may be sent to [email protected].

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NIH has long maintained policies governing the responsible and limited use of human fetal tissue in biomedical research. However, NIH supported research using human fetal tissue has been in sharp decline since 2019. With the emergence of validated alternatives and to appropriately prioritize limited resources towards biomedical research models with more relevance to today’s rapidly evolving research ecosystem, NIH has announced it will no longer support research involving human fetal tissue derived from elective abortions. For additional context, please see the NIH Guide Notice and a statement from NIH Director, Dr. Jay Bhattacharya.

NIH is also reviewing opportunities to reduce or potentially replace reliance on human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) for research. During this review, NIH is pausing review and approval of applications for new hESC lines to be added to the NIH hESC Registry.

To inform this assessment, NIH is seeking public input to assess the utility of hESCs in biomedical research, specifically, areas of research that could not occur, or areas in which newer, validated models could serve as a replacement. Comments on the request for information can be submitted electronically at: https://osp.od.nih.gov/comment-form-reducing-reliance-on-human-embryonic-stem-cells-in-nih-supported-research/ and will be accepted until April 24, 2026.

Questions may be sent to [email protected].

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It may still be winter, but you should be thinking about summer. Do you want to spend the summer with NIH building your science policy skills? If so, the OSP Summer Internship Program might be right for you. This virtual, paid, internship program will take place over the course of 8-12 weeks beginning in late May/early June 2026.  Applications must be received no later than February 27, 2026.

To learn more about the available internship positions, eligibility criteria, and how to apply, please visit: https://osp.od.nih.gov/2026internship/

Questions may be sent to [email protected].

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On January 29, 2026, from 12:00 PM – 1:15 PM ET (11:00 AM– 12:15 PM CT), NIH and the Southern Biosafety Association will be co-hosting a 4^th virtual listening session to continue to advance efforts to modernize and strengthen biosafety oversight.

The meeting is free and open to the public. Registration is required if planning to make an oral statement at the listening session. Those planning to only view the listening session are kindly requested, but not required, to register. Priority speaking slots will be given to participants located in Region 4 of NIH’s stakeholder map. More information about the goals of the listening session, as well as a draft agenda, webcast information, and registration information can be found on the meeting page of the OSP Website. 

As a reminder, the previously announced 3^rd virtual listening session will be taking place on January 15, 2026, from 1:00 – 2:15 PM ET (12:00 – 1:15 PM CT). Additional information about this listening session, including registration information, can be found on the meeting page of the OSP Website. 

For additional information on NIH’s Biosafety Modernization Initiative, including how you can provide on-demand ideas and comments, please visit here.

Questions may be sent to [email protected].

If you are not yet a subscriber to this listserv, please sign up here.