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News
  • 08/03/2026

    NIH Replacing Letters of Support with Letters of Collaboration for FY27

    The National Institutes of Health (NIH) announced that beginning with the implementation of Forms J in Fiscal Year 2027, traditional Letters of Support will be replaced by Letters of Collaboration as part of an effort to reduce administrative burden and streamline grant applications.

    Under the new policy, letters will be used only to document specific collaborative relationships or material contributions to a project, such as resource commitments or Material Transfer Agreements. Letters intended solely to endorse an application will no longer be allowed. Collaborators who are already listed as senior/key personnel or other significant contributors will not need to provide letters, as their involvement is documented elsewhere in the application.

    Letters of Collaboration must be concise, limited to 100 words or fewer, and should simply state the contributor’s intent to collaborate or provide resources as described in the application. NIH will provide standardized language for these letters. Applications submitted after the Forms J implementation date that continue to include Letters of Support may be returned without review.

    Additional guidance and updated application instructions will be released by NIH before the policy takes effect.

    Read More from the NIH
  • 07/16/2026

    UC Davis M.D./Ph.D. Students receive grants from new statewide program

    Nikita Mohapatra and Joseph Morrison have been selected to receive inaugural grants from the California Initiative to Advance Precision Medicine (CIAPM). Mohapatra and Morrison are students in the School of Medicine M.D./Ph.D. program, a dual-degree pathway program for medical students interested in pursuing a career in research. They were among twelve students selected from seven California institutions. 

    Learn more about their award and projects
  • 07/15/2026

    Reaching Across the Causeway Awards

    The UC Davis School of Medicine, UC Davis Weill School of Veterinary Medicine, UC Davis Clinical and Translational Science Center (CTSC) and UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center have selected six interdisciplinary research teams to receive 2026 Reaching Across the Causeway (RAC) Awards.

    The annual program supports new collaborations that bring together investigators from both schools to tackle complex biomedical and veterinary health challenges. Each team consists of at least one PI from either the School of Medicine or the UC Davis Weill School of Veterinary Medicine and at least one co-applicant from the other school. Each winner will receive $50,000 in seed funding to generate preliminary data and position the projects for future extramural funding.

    Read about the awardees
  • 07/15/2026

    2026 Matching Program for Purchase of Shared Equipment Award Recipients

    UC Davis School of Medicine has announced the recipients of its 2026 Matching Program for Purchase of Shared Equipment Awards, supporting the acquisition of research equipment that will be shared across departments and research programs to advance scientific discovery and foster collaboration across the School of Medicine.

    The program provides matching funds from the School of Medicine to support multi-user equipment purchases. The program funds up to 50% of approved equipment costs, with the remaining support provided by departments or other funding sources. The initiative prioritizes equipment that advances School of Medicine research goals and expands access to critical research resources.

    Read about the awardees
  • 07/15/2026

    Academic Career Excellence (ACE) Award (K32)

    The K32 supports individual postdoctoral research training to broaden their scientific background and extend their potential for research in specified health-related areas. Candidates must be within 12 months before transitioning to the postdoctoral position, or within the first 2 years of their postdoctoral research experience. This award provides up to 3 years of mentored support.

    Visit Individual Career Development for general guidance, policy, and program information.

    Visit Individual Career Development
  • 04/30/2026

    Updated Timeline for Common Form Biosketches Beginning May 8

    The announcement by NIH states “the current leniency period previously communicated in NOT-OD-26-033 will end on May 7, 2026, the final AIDS standard receipt date for Cycle 1.