July 22, 2026

On May 27, 2026, NIH released NOT-OD-26-084: Reminder on Foreign Components, clarifying when international co-authorship may constitute a foreign component.

NIH states that most instances of foreign co-authorship represent a foreign component, although limited contributions or independent work that later results in co-authorship may not. NIH expects recipients to notify the funding Institute or Center as soon as foreign co-authorship is identified so that NIH can determine whether additional action is required. NIH also reminds investigators to ensure author affiliations accurately reflect the institution where NIH-supported work was conducted.

If NIH-supported work involves — or later appears to involve — activities performed outside the United States, foreign facilities, foreign resources, or foreign co-authorship, investigators should contact the Office of Sponsored Programs before submitting a proposal, adding a collaboration, submitting a progress report, or attributing the work to an NIH award in a publication. Some NIH funding opportunities prohibit foreign components, and prior NIH approval may be required when a foreign component arises after an award is made.

NASA has recently reminded award recipients of its expectations regarding compliance with the Wolf Amendment, which generally prohibits NASA from using appropriated funds to engage in bilateral collaboration with the People's Republic of China, or PRC, or Chinese-owned companies unless specifically authorized by Congress or the collaboration has undergone the required certification process.

The renewed emphasis follows recent congressional oversight of NASA's research security program and serves as a reminder that universities are responsible for ensuring NASA-funded research complies with these restrictions. Proposed collaborations, visiting scholars, subawards, data-sharing arrangements, and other research activities involving PRC institutions or Chinese-owned entities should be carefully reviewed before work begins.

Investigators working on NASA-funded projects should contact OSP before involving PRC institutions, Chinese-owned companies, visiting scholars affiliated with those entities, subawards, data-sharing arrangements, unfunded collaborations, or publications that may reflect NASA-supported bilateral activity.

The NIH and NASA updates reflect a broader federal trend toward increased oversight of international research collaborations. The Office of Management and Budget, or OMB, has proposed revisions to the Uniform Guidance (2 CFR Part 200) that, if finalized, would expand many of these expectations across the federal research enterprise.

Among the proposed changes are provisions that would establish a "domestic-first" framework for federally funded research and development awards, generally limiting awards to U.S.-organized entities unless a statutory or national interest exception applies. The proposal would also require federal agencies to more closely evaluate and justify international components of federally funded research.

Additionally, proposed 2 CFR 200.220 would expand restrictions similar to the NASA Wolf Amendment across all federal agencies by prohibiting the use of federal funds to support certain collaborations with designated covered foreign countries and covered foreign entities, unless an agency determines the activity is consistent with the national interest and does not pose a national security risk.

These revisions are not yet in effect and remain open for public comment. The Office of the Vice President for Research is closely monitoring the rulemaking process and has coordinated institutional input to help ensure K-State's interests are represented through comments submitted by the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities and the Council on Governmental Relations. As the final rule is issued and implementation timelines become clear, OVPR will provide additional guidance to the K-State research community.

For questions about these developments or to discuss a proposed international collaboration, please contact Research Security Officer Murry Streetman, mtstreetman@k-state.edu.

September 2, 2026 | 12 to 5 p.m.
K-State Olathe Campus

The Secure Energy Initiative's Technical Interchange Meeting will bring together external stakeholders and the K-State community to connect with partners, explore opportunities for collaboration and develop innovative approaches to ensure energy affordability, accessibility, reliability and resilience in Kansas and the surrounding region. 

Benefits for industry and community stakeholders:

Benefits for K-State faculty:

Presenting a poster is required to submit a proposal for SEI seed funding, and only K-State personnel are eligible. Registration for attendance and abstract consideration is required by August 20.

Email Amir Bahadori (bahadori@ksu.edu) for questions on technical topics, or Brooke Speake (kcprofdev@ksu.edu) for more details about registration.

Registration for this free event is required by August 26. Additional information and registration can be found on the K-State Olathe website.

NSF webinars & office hours:

Interested in submitting a Project Pitch to the America's Seed Fund, powered by the U.S. National Science Foundation? Join us Thursday, July 23, 2026, for the "Art of the NSF SBIR/STTR Project Pitch" webinar to learn the art of the pitch and gain insights into what makes a successful Project Pitch.

This session will cover:
- Key elements of a successful Pitch.
- Common pitfalls to avoid.
- Q&A with NSF program directors.

Register here

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has announced a Pitch Day for the Multi X Office (MXO) to catalyze future research efforts.

The MXO Pitch Day aims to fund scientific discovery solutions within three specific thrust areas: a world beyond electronics, foundations beyond components, and materials beyond nature and current synthetic practice. DARPA is seeking proposals from non-traditional organizations, small businesses, and university principal investigators who have not previously received a DARPA-funded award as a prime performer. The program seeks to reduce technical uncertainty and generate new concepts in non-electronic or hybrid physical approaches, resilient components for extreme environments, and novel material synthesis.

Performers are expected to provide a clear technical approach, risk mitigation strategy, and evidence of feasibility for efforts not to exceed 12 months in duration.

The event will be held in-person on November 2, 2026, in Chicago, Illinois, with abstract submissions due by July 29, 2026. Total funding per award is capped at $500,000.

The full solicitation is available here.

The NIAID Small Business Program will be hosting a virtual SBIR/STTR Office Hours event on August 5, 2026, from 12-1 p.m. These events will include a brief SBIR/STTR program overview and then members of the NIAID Small Business Program staff will be available to answer your questions, which can be submitted in advance during registration.

Please register and join us for an informative session.

The event is capped at 100 registrants; spots are available on a first come first served basis.