NIH Collaborative International Research Project (PF5)

Updated 4/30/26 - New Video Overview for NIH’s Collaborative International Research Projects (PF5) - Watch NIH’s 6-minute overview of the new Collaborative International Research Project (PF5) award structure to learn key features, application format, and how applications may be split into linked awards after review and before Just-in-Time requests.

As of May 2025, the NIH no longer accepts applications that request funds for foreign components using the traditional grant-subaward/consortium structure, as per NIH Notice OT-OD-25-104.

Starting with applications due May 25, 2026 and onward, the PF5 (grants) /UF5 (cooperative agreements) application structure must be used for proposals that include international collaborations. 

The new 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.  

Under this new program a project that includes international collaborations is submitted as one multi-component application that is reviewed as a whole.  Then, prior to award, all international subprojects will be disaggregated and funded as separate awards in lieu of foreign subawards, as below illustrated.

The primary applicant organization must be domestic (located in the U.S.) and all PF5 applicants must have at least one foreign subproject. 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 Project(s) who will serve as the PD/PI of the disaggregated Linked International Research Project award. 

NOTE: Subawards to foreign organizations are no longer allowed as of May 2025.

When should the PF5 funding mechanism be used?

What are the components of the PF5 funding mechanism application?

The PF5 uses the Multi-Project (M) instructions for its multi-component application structure. The proposal is submitted as one application by the lead domestic applicant organization that is reviewed as a whole and must include:

1. Overall component provides the project’s overall objectives as a collaboration, why an international collaboration is critical for addressing program goals, and how the project will be coordinated across international sites. This section must also include a dispute resolution plan.
   • The Overall component provides a cohesive plan for the entire project, linking the domestic prime award with separate international project components. The Lead PD/PI from the primary domestic applicant organization is responsible for completing the Overall component providing the overall objectives, including a “Dispute Resolution Plan” in the application.
2. Research Project component addresses the scientific and technical directions of the project and must be led by a domestic organization.
   • There must be at least 1 domestic Research Project component, led by the domestic applicant organization, but there is flexibility for more than one Research Project component to accommodate complex, interdisciplinary research areas. It is highly recommended that any applicant considering more than 1 Research Project component confer with Program staff at the intended IC to ensure alignment with the IC's scientific priorities and available resources.
3. International Project(s) component must be submitted for each foreign organization. Applications with multiple foreign collaborators at different institutions will submit an application with multiple International Project components. Each International Project component describes the organization’s Statement of Work (SOW), how it will integrate with the overall goals of the PF5, and reasons why it is more appropriate than a domestic setting. The foreign organization’s demonstrated ability to manage the administrative aspects of an NIH award must also be included. A "Letter of Support" must be provided from an Authorized Official of each foreign organization.
   • The component type International Proj must be used for each foreign organization that requests monetary support. Each International Project must correspond with a single foreign organization. Each International Project component must have a “Letter of Support” from the International organization’s authorized organizational representative that addresses requirements in the NOFO. 

When applicable, the below optional components can be requested as well.

4. Core component is intended for activities and resources that are needed to support multiple coordinated research projects falling under the PF5, and thus should only be applicable to complex international collaborations similar to domestic program project grants or centers (e.g., P01, P50, U54). By organizing aims and activities through a Core component, the applicant should be able to identify opportunities to improve efficiencies, reduce costs, or identify synergies that would not be available through support of individual Research Project components. Examples of Cores include, but are not limited to: Administrative Core, Research Subjects Core, and Informatics and Data Management Core.
   • For the PF5 application, while a Core may support activities from all international collaborative partners, the Core itself must be based at a domestic organization and only request funds for domestic sites. Foreign organizations serving functions similar to cores should use the International Project component type instead.
5. Institutional Career Development and Training (ICDT) component should only be used for applicants who are proposing biomedical research career and professional development training activities that support cohorts of scholars or trainees in connection with the research activities described in the Overall, Research Project, and International Project components. Similar programs for domestic-only applications include the K12, R25, or T15 activity codes, as well as career development cores on complex centers (e.g., CTSAs). The PF5 mechanism must NOT be used for National Research Service Award (NRSA) institutional training programs.
   • For the PF5 application, the ICDT component should support domestic activities, which may include domestic scholars (funded through their domestic institutions) engaging in research training activities with international partners, or domestic training activities (e.g., summer short courses) hosted at domestic institutions for international partners to attend. Career development and training activities intended to be supported through the collaborating foreign institutions should be supported through the International Project component type.  

For additional instruction on each required and optional component, check out NIH Grants & Funding News for the PF5 Application Components.

PF5 Funding Mechanism Across the Sponsored Award Lifecycle

Pre-Award Proposal Submission Highlights

Proposal Instructions Specific to Stanford:

• Non-SoM led applicant teams should use Cayuse to prepare and submit applications and eRA Commons to track applications.
  • Cayuse questions? Contact the ORA Client Advocacy & Education Team
• SoM led applicant teams applicants should use the NIH ASSIST system to prepare, submit and track applications.
  • ASSIST questions? Contact your SoM Research Management Group (RMG) Research Process Manager (RPM).  RMG will also be hosting an ASSIST PF5 Application Development Workshop on Thursday, April 16, 2026.  More information about this will be shared soon!
• OSR Form 33s are NOT required for any international components/subprojects.
• OSR Form 33s are required for each domestic subaward, if applicable.
• SeRA PDRF Instructions:
  • On the Admin & Sponsors Details page, select PF5 as the program type.
  • On the Project Questions page, indicate the countries for all international subprojects.
  • On the Approvers and Comments page, enter all international subproject entities in the comments.

Preparing a PF5 Application in Cayuse:

• ORA HIGHLY recommends BEFORE initiating your PF5 application within Cayuse, that you review, edit, and/or create, as needed, within Cayuse, any institutional profiles and/or people profiles for your intended international subprojects and their PI(s).
• To properly structure a PF5 project application in Cayuse, begin by selecting the PA-26-002 Opportunity Number by clicking the green plus sign to the left of the opportunity number. 

• Start with the Overall component. The Lead PD/PI from the primary domestic applicant organization is responsible for completing the Overall component and providing the overall objectives.

• After creating the Overall component, locate the Multi-Project Components section under the left-hand navigation to add additional components by clicking on "Create and Link New Component."

• To view or edit added component, navigate back to your Overall component from the header bar to view each added component under the left-hand navigation Multi-Project Components section.

For further instruction on developing proposals in Cayuse, refer to the ORA Cayuse User Guides including the Cayuse Proposals (S2S) Quick Guide.

For further instruction on completing a SeRA PDRF (Proposal Development & Routing Form), refer to the ORA SeRA PDRF Guides.

Pre-Award Sponsor Review and Award Negotiation Highlights

• Applications are reviewed as a whole; however, following merit review, PF5 applications identified by an NIH Institute or Center for funding consideration will be disaggregated. Each International Project components 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).
  • Note: 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.
• 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 time, 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.
• Prior to award issuance, a formal written agreement between Stanford and international partners will still be required by the NIH.  The process and format for these agreements are not yet finalized and will be provided soon.
• If selected for funding, the 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.

Post-Award Reporting and Project Management Highlights

• Each party (i.e., the domestic PF5 recipient and the Linked International Research Project) will need to provide independent RPPRs detailing the progress of the project.
• Each annual international subproject RPPR must include a letter of attestation from the domestic PF5 recipient Authorized Organization Representative (AOR) i.e. from a Stanford OSR Contract and Grant Officer or Research Management Group Research Process Manager certifying that the progress of the International Project has been satisfactory to continue to receive funding. 

Additional Resources

• Updated 4/30/26 - New Video Overview for NIH’s Collaborative International Research Projects (PF5)
  • Watch NIH’s 6-minute overview of the new Collaborative International Research Project (PF5) award structure to learn key features, application format, and how applications may be split into linked awards after review and before Just-in-Time requests.
• Stanford NIH Collaborative International Research Project (PF5) Information Session Slides
• Stanford NIH Collaborative International Research Project (PF5) Information Session Recording
• Stanford PF5 International Subproject Checklist - Stanford encourages sharing this checklist with collaborating international entities participating in Stanford-led PF5 applications as an aid.  This checklist is not meant to as a substitute for the full application guidance included in PA-26-002 NIH Collaborative International Research Project (PF5).
• Stanford Template for International Project AOR Letter of Support
• Stanford guidance on NIH Collaborative International Research Projects and Subawards.