News from NIH

By: Yvette Seger
Thursday, March 26, 2026
Over the past week, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) issued several items of interest to the biological and biomedical research community, including stipend levels for pre- and postdoctoral scholars, legislative mandates in effect for the current fiscal year, and a call for comments on the next iteration of the NIH-wide strategic plan.

From the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts
Three key Notices were issued in conjunction with the NIH Director’s testimony before the House of Representatives’ Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health, and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies. These include the Notice of Legislative Mandates in Effect for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026, Notice of Fiscal Policies in Effect for FY 2026, and a Notice detailing stipends, tuition/fees, and other budgetary levels for Ruth L. Kirchstein National Research Service Awards (NRSAs) for FY 2026. Of particular interest within the Fiscal Policy Notice was the new language regarding multiyear funding that limits the agency’s ability to issue multiyear awards “not to exceed the amount of funds made available…during fiscal year 2025.” The Notice also established the Executive Level II salary limit at $228,000. In FY 2026, stipends for Ruth L. Kirschstein predoctoral awards are set at $29,364, while predoctoral Year 0 and Year 1 stipends are $63,480, and Year 7 or more is set at $77,076.

FY 2027–2031 Agency-Wide Strategic Plan
On March 16, NIH held the first of two community discussions regarding the development of the third NIH-wide Strategic Plan. Shortly after, the agency issued a Request for Information (RFI) to allow individuals and organizations to provide input on the three priority areas and goals. The intent of the agency-wide strategic plan is to guide NIH’s overarching approach to research investments, policies, and operations. Feedback must be submitted via the RFI submission website. Comments are limited to 500 words per priority area and are due May 16. The next stakeholder listening session is scheduled for April 8, 2:30–3:30 pm ET.