Science Policy Hub
The AAMC engages frequently with federal agencies on policies and regulations that impact the funding, conduct, and oversight of medical research at academic medical centers.
On this page:
Take Action
This section contains engagement opportunities the AAMC has identified as important for the academic medical research enterprise. If you have questions about any of the items in this section, please reach out to us at researchpolicy@aamc.org.
NIH Seeking Feedback for Research Involving Biohazards
NIH on Aug. 19 released its Draft NIH Biosafety Policy for Research Involving Biohazards. The draft significantly broadens the scope of research covered by the current policy and expands the role of the Institutional Biosafety Committee. The agency is seeking input on the scope and oversight of the draft policy, continued utility of risk groups as a baseline for risk assessment, and effectiveness of compliance mechanisms. The AAMC plans to respond and appreciates the input provided by this community. Take Action by sharing your feedback on the draft policy with the NIH by the Oct. 19 deadline.
Register for AAMC Webinar on NIH Funding Trends
Register now to join AAMC policy and data experts for “NIH Funding: A Two-Year Retrospective” on Oct. 15 from 1-2 p.m. ET to learn about the AAMC's analysis of National Institutes of Health funding for the past two years. The team that has tracked NIH funding throughout the current administration will provide insights on what we have learned from the last two years and an outlook for the next fiscal year. Topics will include the pace of grant awards by month and increased use of the multiyear funding mechanism in comparison to historical funding trends. Take Action by registering for the webinar.
Ongoing Opportunities to Provide Feedback to NIH
Several opportunities are currently available to provide feedback to NIH on proposed policy changes, including changes to reporting outcomes from NIH peer review (Oct. 13 comment deadline), a draft NIH biosafety policy for research involving biohazards (Oct. 19 comment deadline), and a draft policy on sharing summary-level study results with clinical research participants (Oct. 26 comment deadline). The AAMC will respond to each of these opportunities, and we encourage individual institutions to provide feedback to NIH.
Call for Proposals for 2027 Biomedical Research Conference
Help shape the 2027 AAMC Biomedical Research Conference, which brings together the leaders, administrators, faculty, and professionals who support and advance the research enterprise. The call for proposals is now open for concurrent sessions, rapid-fire talks, and “What Would You Do?” discussions. Proposal submissions may focus on the interests and needs of a single community of practice or come from cross-functional teams that demonstrate collaboration across roles, disciplines, or offices to address complex issues facing the biomedical research enterprise. Submissions are due Oct. 19. Take Action by submitting a proposal before the deadline.
AAMC Releases New Report on Appropriate Treatment of Research Trainees
In 2021, a subcommittee of the former AAMC Group on Research, Education, and Training (GREAT) developed the Appropriate Treatment of Research Trainees (AToRT) document, designed to affirm the shared principles essential for fostering supportive and inclusive training environments and offer a framework for identifying and addressing these issues. Recently, the AToRT Working Group released the AToRT Implementation and Impact Report, which describes the rationale for developing the AToRT document, summarizes dissemination and implementation efforts, evaluates the document's impact, and provides recommendations to institutions for continuing to advance the appropriate treatment of biomedical research trainees. Take Action by reviewing the new AToRT Implementation and Impact Report and sharing this important document with the biomedical research and training community.
AAMC Report on Research Compliance and Policy
On June 16, the AAMC released a report entitled Navigating a Shifting Federal Research Landscape: Perspectives on Recent Changes in Research Compliance and Policy, detailing the results of a survey of research administrators, compliance professionals, and institutional leaders on how academic medical centers and teaching hospitals are navigating recent changes in federal research compliance and policy. Key findings include:
- Nearly every respondent reported changes to compliance policies, processes, or staffing over the past year.
- International collaborations and data management and security were the top compliance areas receiving increased institutional attention.
- Administrative burden, particularly time spent on documenting and reporting, was the most cited challenge.
- Guidance on complex compliance areas, practical tools and templates, and timely federal policy updates were identified as the most pressing needs.
Take Action by reviewing the report's full findings and staying engaged with the AAMC on how we can continue to shape our efforts and resources to best meet your needs.
Issues We’re Watching
This section contains information on ongoing policy/regulation development, as well as forthcoming implementation deadlines. For additional in-depth coverage of policy topics, please refer to Science Policy Issues in the left-hand navigation.
Federal Grant Funding Updates
OMB Proposed Rule to Revise the Uniform Guidance
The OMB on May 29 published in the Federal Register a proposed rule to revise the Uniform Guidance, a set of regulations that govern federal financial assistance awards and sponsored research programs, including all federal research grants. The proposal represents a significant update to 2 CFR Part 200, which serves as the primary regulatory framework for federal awards distributed to research universities, nonprofits, and other recipients.
Any questions or comments can be directed to the science policy team at researchpolicy@aamc.org. To view the AAMC's letter to OMB and additional guidance on the commenting process, please visit the site below.
Learn more about THE UNIFORM GUIDANCE REVISIONS
AAMC Dashboard and Funding Data Briefs
The AAMC has been closely monitoring and analyzing the current state of National Institutes of Health (NIH) extramural funding, including overall obligations and funds flow, new awards, and grant terminations.
Tracking NIH Funding Data Dashboard: This page tracks multiple funding indicators for fiscal year (FY) 2026, including total awards, funding obligated, research training grants issued, and the use of multi-year funding. It will be updated regularly to provide timely insights into NIH funding trends.
AAMC Federal Research Funding Data Briefs: Ongoing analysis of changes to research funding since FY 2025.
FY 2026
- September 2026: Tracking NIH Awards in FY 2026 (October 1 - August 31)
- August 2026: Tracking NIH Awards in FY 2026 (October 1 - July 31)
- July 2026: Tracking NIH Awards in FY 2026 (October 1 - June 30)
- May 2026: Multiyear Funding of NIH Research Grants (October 1 - May 15)
- March 2026: Tracking NIH Awards in FY 2026 (October 1 - March 20)
FY 2025
- Aug. 2025: NIH Awards Billions of Dollars Less in Research Funds
- June 2025: Impact of NIH Grant Terminations: Training and Career Development
- May 2025: Impact of NIH Grant Terminations: Clinical Trials
Facilities & Administrative Costs
NIH Funding Updates
- NIH issued a new Grants Policy Statement in March 2026, noting significant changes to the policy.
- NIH funding opportunities are available through Grants.gov as of FY26, and also collected on the NIH site.
- The pages NIH Grants and Funding Information Status and Implementation of New Initiatives and Policies describe changes to NIH grants and funding policies and processes under new priorities. These policy notices are available in the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts.
- In 2025, the NIH announced a Unified Funding Strategy and a series of core tenets, stating that the strategy would “help ensure (NIH) continue(s) to support the most scientifically meritorious research ideas possible, address health priorities, and support a robust biomedical workforce.” The framework was implemented during the first round of NIH Advisory Council meetings in Jan. 2026.
- As of June 2025, NIH has begun forward funding certain research project grants (RPGs).
Learn more about forward funding
Federal Research-Related Litigation
The AAMC is engaged in or closely following litigation on issues affecting federally funded biomedical research, including NIH grant terminations and indirect cost rates.
Access all Research-Related Litigation Updates
Policy Issues the AAMC is Monitoring
- Other significant changes to NIH grant policies and processes include disabling No-Cost Extension functionality in eRA Commons and changing award structures such that foreign subawards can no longer be nested under a parent grant.
- The White House on May 5 released an Executive Order on the safety and security of biological research, which will pause all "dangerous gain of function research," as defined in Section 8 of the order. The executive order also pulls back the 2024 policies "United States Government Policy for Oversight of Dual Use Research of Concern and Pathogens with Enhanced Pandemic Potential" and "Framework for Nucleic Acid Synthesis Screening." Further information is available in a fact sheet and two implementation notices from the NIH (June 18) (May 7).
- Institutions with active international research programs will likely be impacted by a final rule from the Department of Justice (DOJ) limiting access to Americans' "bulk sensitive personal data" and government-related data by "countries of concern." DOJ on April 11 issued a compliance guide, FAQs, and an implementation and enforcement policy for the final rule. The AAMC previously responded to both an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) and Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) on this issue.
Forthcoming Implementation Deadlines
- The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a final rule revising the regulations governing Public Health Service Policies on Research Misconduct, which must be implemented through new institutional policies and procedures by Jan. 1, 2026. For more information, visit the HHS Office of Research Integrity.
Federal Scientific Leadership
- HHS Secretary: Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.
- NIH Director: Jay Bhattacharya, MD, PhD
- FDA Acting Commissioner: Kyle Diamantas, JD
- Director, FDA Center for Drug Evaluation and Research: Tracy Beth Høeg, MD, PhD
- CDC Director: Erica Schwartz, MD, JD, MPH
- NSF Director: Jim O’Neill (nominated, pending confirmation)
- OSTP Director: Michael Kratsios
- ARPA-H: Alicia Jackson, PhD
- CMS Administrator: Mehmet Oz, MD
- Surgeon General: Vacant (Nominee: Nicole Saphier, MD)
Share AAMC Abstract with Your Colleagues
We invite you to help expand the reach of AAMC Abstract by sharing this page with your colleagues, societies, trainees and postdoctoral students, research administrators, or anyone interested in the creation or implementation of research policy. Anyone from this sector can subscribe to AAMC Abstract.
Recent AAMC Comments
Refer to the AAMC’s most recent letters below or access the full list of comments submitted on medical research. For more on the latest legislative and regulatory activities affecting academic medicine, check out AAMC Washington Highlights.
The AAMC submitted comments to the Office of the Director on a framework for the NIH-wide strategic plan for fiscal years 2027-2031.
- May 12, 2026
The AAMC submitted comments to GSA on its System for Award Management certification requirements for all recipients of federal assistance.
- March 30, 2026
The AAMC leads national education organizations in filing an amicus brief with the First Circuit.
- Nov. 20, 2025