Collaborative International Research Project (PF5/UF5 Activity Codes)

Collaborative International Research Project (PF5/UF5 Activity Codes) is sponsored by National Institutes of Health (NIH). This new funding opportunity implements a new award structure for research collaborations with international components.

Collaborative International Research Project (PF5) | Grants & Funding U.S. Department of Health and Human Services National Institutes of Health Collaborative International Research Project (PF5) To support international research collaborations, NIH will make domestic prime awards with independent foreign awards that are linked to the prime. Note: The project is submitted as one application that is reviewed as a whole.

Prior to award, all international subprojects will be disaggregated and funded as separate RF2 grant awards in lieu of a foreign subaward. In order to manage compliance and track international funding, the RF2 will be awarded directly to the foreign organization.

International subprojects should not be used for foreign consultants, purchasing unique equipment or supplies from foreign vendors, international collaborations that do not involve NIH funding or any foreign component that would not result in a foreign subaward. NIH no longer accepts applications that request funds for foreign components using the traditional grant subaward/consortium structure.

The PF5 activity code facilitates an application and award structure that allows NIH to track the expenditure of federal funds at foreign components and meet federal reporting and oversight needs. U.S. domestic institutions The primary applicant organization must be domestic (located in the U.S.) and PF5 applications must have at least one foreign subproject.

Carefully read the Eligibility section of the funding opportunity for opportunity-specific organization eligibility requirements.

Project Director/ Principal Investigator (PD/PI) Eligibility The leadership structure for the PF5 must include at least one PD/PI from the primary applicant organization, and at least one individual from each of the International Projects, who will serve as the PD/PI of the disaggregated Linked International Research Project award.

Carefully read the Eligibility section of the funding opportunity for opportunity-specific PD/PI eligibility requirements. Applications are reviewed as a whole. Following merit review, PF5 applications identified by an NIH Institute or Center for funding consideration will be disaggregated.

The International Project components will be pulled from the PF5, and each will be provided a distinct grant number with an RF2 activity code. The foreign organization will be considered the applicant/recipient of the Linked International Research Project Grant (RF2).

Just-in-Time Information (e.g., IRB Approvals, IACUC Approvals, Current and Pending (Other) Support for key personnel), will be requested from both the PF5 and RF2 organizations independently. At this point in the process, if not already completed, the RF2 applicant must verify registration in SAM. gov, Grants.

gov, and eRA Commons, to ensure accurate awarding information moving forward. Should a project be selected for funding, NIH will issue a PF5 award to the domestic organization and an RF2 award to the foreign organizations. Each organization will be responsible for ensuring the terms and conditions of their Notices of Award are met.

Note that the system disaggregation of a PF5 application should not be considered a commitment to funding. NIH has the ability to fund all, none, or some of the components of the PF5 application, based on the assessment of the technical merit, materials submitted through the JIT process, and agency priorities. Application and Submission Information PF5 uses a multi-component application structure.

At a minimum, PF5 applicants will be expected to provide an Overall Component that addresses the project's overall objectives as a collaboration, a Research Project component that addresses the scientific and technical directions of the project, and an International Project component that addresses the foreign collaborator's role on the project.

Each funded foreign component should have a unique International Project component; therefore, an application with multiple foreign collaborators at different institutions would submit an application with multiple International Project components. Applications must include a letter from each foreign organization's AOR acknowledging that they will fill the role of recipient organization for the disaggregated award.

After identifying a funding opportunity, follow guidance in the How to Apply – Application Guide instruction call-outs, except where instructed to do otherwise in the funding opportunity or related notices. Collaborative International Research Project Use the Explore NIH Grant Opportunities tool to search Grants. gov. Ready to develop your application?

Learn from a step-by-step guide. Standard Due Dates apply. AIDS and AIDS-Related Applications Beginning with applications for Advisory Council Review in January 2027 (i.e., application due dates on or after May 25, 2026), NIH will no longer accept applications submitted on dedicated AIDS application due dates.

( NOT-OD-26-029 ) Standard Application Due Dates (when applicable) NOT-OD-25-155 : New Application Structure for NIH-Funded International Collaborations (September 12, 2025) NOT-OD-25-104 : Updated NIH Policy on Foreign Subawards (May 1, 2025) For technical issues E-mail OER Webmaster