Submitting Applications with International Collaborations
In 2025, we announced an updated NIH Policy on Foreign Subawards (NOT-OD-25-104) and introduced the Collaborative International Research application and award structure using the PF5 activity code (NOT-OD-25-155) which was implemented earlier this year.
The multi-project PF5 structure accommodates individual components for international projects which, if selected for funding, become separate direct foreign awards under the Linked International Research Project (RF2) activity code.
This approach for applications with international collaborations
- Establishes direct, legal relationships between NIH and each international collaborator
- Improves transparency by enabling appropriate tracking of funds to international organizations
- Allows collaborative reporting of scientific progress and programmatic oversight
Applicants can use our International Collaboration (PF5) Parent Announcement, in place of our other broad parent announcements, for U.S.-led, investigator-initiated projects that formerly would have been proposed with a subaward to a foreign organization. We designed the PF5 Parent to be flexible. It can support international collaborations that range from a single project to a complex project, center, or institutional research training program.
NIH has many specialized programs whose notices of funding opportunities (NOFOs) do not use the PF5 activity code but do indicate that international collaborations may be relevant. Beginning with application due dates on or after September 25, 2026, applicants proposing foreign collaborations to one of our participating specialized NOFOs can leverage the application forms and structure of the PF5 Parent, but follow the due dates, opportunity requirements, review criteria, and other aspects of the specialized NOFO-of-interest (Parent PF5 Leveraging Model Instructions).
Visit Collaborative International Research Project (PF5) to learn more about submitting applications with international collaborations.