NOT-OD-25-132
NIH issued guidance July 17, 2025, including limits on AI use and the number of submissions per investigator. Effective September, 2025.
- AI Use in Applications:
- Applications must reflect original ideas from investigators.
- NIH will not accept applications substantially generated by AI.
- Improper AI use (e.g., plagiarism, fabricated citations) may lead to research misconduct investigations and enforcement actions, including possible termination of awards.
- Application Submission Limit:
- NIH will accept no more than six applications per Principal Investigator per calendar year based on Council Round Dates.
- For 2026 Council dates, the application due dates are from September 25, 2025, through May 7, 2026.
- For 2027 Council dates, the application due dates are May 25, 2026, through May 7, 2027.
- This applies to most activity codes, with some exceptions (e.g., T grants, R13 conference grants).
NIH has released FAQ’s specifically addressing the application limit, clarifying how applications will be counted, and which type of applications are affected.
PI will be responsible for checking in eRA Commons to monitor personal application submission limits.
A new certification has been added to the eProposal approval/routing process including language:
#8 I certify the final application is my own original ideas and is not substantially developed by AI, nor does it contain sections substantially developed by AI.
Previous notice:
- 08.01.2025 NOT-OD-25-132 NIH Announces Proposal limits for AI and Submissions
Content updated 4/29/2026
News Filter