Due to the significant volume of technical inquiries, users experienced delays that created a severe burden on the community for complying with the original timeline of January 25, 2026.   Instead of requiring all users to change to the use of Common Forms for Biographical Sketch and Current and Pending (Other) Support and the NIH Biographical Sketch Supplement by the original January deadline (as outlined in NOT-OD-26-018), NIH will extend the leniency period through May 2026. 
NIH will be extending the current leniency period through May 2026 to provide users and institutions sufficient time for adoption, allow for full compliance, and ensure fairness for all the extramural community. During this leniency period, NIH will provide a warning when the Common Forms are not used but will not withdraw applications that don’t comply with the use of the Common Forms.
Current system validations will remain in place at a warning level, allowing applicants and recipients flexibility in the submission process. A subsequent Guide Notice, anticipated in Spring 2026, will announce the date that the warning will be escalated to an error.