With 2026 now here, we are reminding the community of open opportunities to help shape policy though feedback while also highlighting some of the NIH policy activities we launched in the last few months of 2025.
NIH Policy on Enhancing Security Measures for Human Biospecimens: Released in September 2025, this policy harmonizes expectations across data and biospecimens to protect Americans’ sensitive and personal health-related data from foreign adversary misuse. More information here.
Required Security and Operational Standards for NIH Controlled-Access Data Repositories: Released in September 2025, this policy implements consistent and robust security protocols across NIH for NIH controlled-access data. More information here.
NIH Intramural Access Planning Policy: Effective October 2025, this policy requires organizations seeking patent licenses from NIH to submit access plans outlining steps they intend to take to promote patient access to those licensed products. More information here.
Biosafety Modernization Initiative: Launched in September, NIH announced a new effort to modernize and strengthen oversight of biosafety. Initial focus has been on engaging stakeholders on an early vision. Videocasts of Session 1 and Session 2 are now available. Listening Session 3 is scheduled to take place on Jan 15 (more details here). To learn more about the initiative, including registering for the January 15th session or to provide feedback, visit here.
Maximizing Access to Research Funds: NIH announced its intent to establish a new policy limiting allowable publication costs. NIH received over 900 comments on the proposal and after analyzing each comment, will issue a final policy in 2026.
Currently Open for Comment: Request for Information on Draft Proposal Harmonizing Research Participant Data Policies: In December 2025, NIH issued a draft proposal to harmonize policy requirements for protecting human participant research participant data. Full proposal information and details on how to provide comments can be found here.
NIH Accepts NExTRAC Recommendations; Announces New Policy Activities: December 2025 saw the NIH Director accept the Novel and Exceptional Research Advisory Committee’s (NExTRAC) recommendations for engaging the public as partners in NIH-supported clinical research. In response, NIH intends to initiate efforts regarding the return to participants of summary-level research results. NIH also published its agency-wide principles to foster, promote, and guide the responsible conduct of research using clinical data. More information here.
OSP Summer Internship Program Information: The OSP Summer Internship Program is returning in 2026. More information about the program including available opportunities, applications dates, and more will be announced shortly.
For more in-depth information, check out a co-authored blog written by NIH Associate Director for Science Policy, Dr. Lyric Jorgenson, and NIH Deputy Director for Extramural Research, Dr. Jon Lorsch that discusses the policy and funding accomplishments of 2025 and what to look forward to in 2026.
Questions about any of the above activities may be sent to [email protected]
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