Baylor PI Newsletter - January 26, 2026
Post-Award Research Administration Change
Beginning Monday, February 2, Baylor University will implement a streamlined post-award research administration model aimed at simplifying sponsored project management for faculty.
Under this model, faculty will work directly with their Business Office, primarily through their Financial Manager (FM), for post-award financial needs. The Post-Award URA role is being eliminated, allowing faculty to work with a single office for both post-award sponsored and all non-sponsored financial matters, including labor distribution, purchasing, travel, and other day-to-day financial transactions.
This change reflects faculty feedback and builds on established relationships within academic units. By centralizing post-award sponsored and non-sponsored financial activities within the Business Office, faculty will have a single point of contact for their day-to-day financial needs, reducing handoffs and administrative complexity. We expect this streamlined approach to improve efficiency and allow faculty to spend more time focused on their scholarship.
To support this shift, the Office of the Vice Provost for Research has created a Post-Award Research Administrator role to support Business Offices behind the scenes, ensuring they have the guidance and resources needed to effectively manage sponsored projects.
Pre-award processes remain unchanged, and faculty will continue working with their Pre-Award URAs as usual. Central post-award accounting functions, such as invoicing, are also unaffected.
Federal Funding and Agency Updates
GRANT REVIEW AND GUIDANCE
Recent reporting highlights updated guidance in federal research grant proposals and review as we head into 2026. The NSF is streamlining its grant‑review process by reducing reliance on external reviewers and allowing fewer outside assessments, aiming to manage staff shortages and review backlogs. Meanwhile, the NIH has introduced new guidance in response to a federal pause on funding for grants containing terms or words “associated with misalignment with the administration’s priorities.” NIH staff will utilize a computational text‑analysis tool to flag proposals using these terms until further review.
Both developments could affect proposal strategy and review outcomes. More information can be found in both articles.
NEW SciENcv REQUIREMENTS FROM NIH
Effective for all NIH submissions due on or after January 25, 2026, NIH has implemented Common Forms for Biographical Sketches and Current & Pending (Other) Support. These requirements apply to new proposals, Just-In-Time (JIT) requests, Research Performance Progress Reports (RPPRs), and Prior Approval submissions. All required forms must now be generated, certified, and downloaded through SciENcv, and linked to a valid ORCID ID. For guidance or assistance, contact your Pre-Award URA.
FEDERAL FUNDING FOR SCIENCE AGENCIES
This month, Congress made significant progress on passing FY 2026 appropriations bills to avoid another government shutdown at the end of January. As part of these efforts, we have seen positive indications about federal funding levels for key science agencies that oversee federal research programs despite proposals for significant cuts.
For example, Congress passed a bill last week that would direct $9 billion to the National Science Foundation. While this is slightly less than the $9.1 billion NSF received last year, it is significantly more than the $3.9 billion included in the administration’s proposed budget. That bill also included $7.3 billion for NASA Science programs – the same amount as last year – compared to proposed funding level of $3.9 billion. Members of Congress are currently working to pass another bill that includes funding for the Department of Health and Human Services, which includes $47.2 billion for the National Institutes of Health – an increase from the $46 billion it received in FY 2025.
OVPR continues to monitor the latest developments and to partner with our federal relations team in Washington to provide the latest information to, and advocate for, our researchers.
Updated Research Integrity Website
An updated Research Integrity website is available at https://resources.research.baylor.edu/research-offices/research-compliance/research-integrity. This website provides information about Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) and Research Misconduct.
Optional Tool: New Excel Budget Template
To support PIs during proposal development, the OVPR created an optional Excel budget template that can help simplify early budget planning. The template is available as a planning aid for PIs who find it helpful to think through major cost categories and overall budget feasibility, especially prior to meeting with a Pre-Award URA.
When used, the template supports early-stage planning only. Your Pre-Award URA will still build the official proposal budget in CARA, which remains the system of record for all submissions. Starting with the template can help streamlinebudget proposals in CARA, but proposals may move forward with or without it. To request the budget template, please contact your Pre-Award URA.
Updated Research Misconduct Policy
An updated Policy on Misconduct in Research became effective on January 1, 2026, to align with revised federal regulation (42 CFR 93). A copy of the policy is available on the University policy website. Additionally, a new procedures document has been developed to allow for more transparency into the processes. This is available on the new Research Misconduct website. Please contact the Research Integrity Officer, Deborah Holland, with any questions about the policy and procedures or to report any potential research misconduct at Deborah_L_Holland@baylor.edu or 254-710-1438.
ONE URC Deadline- March 16
The University Research Committee is accepting applications for Standard (up to $5,000) and Large ($5,001 - $50,000) awards. The Spring award cycle will require funds to be used between June 1, 2026, and May 31, 2027. Consistent with Baylor’s strategic priority to broaden interdisciplinary research and impact outlined in In Deeds, proposals that emphasize interdisciplinary collaboration are preferred.
Submit all applications to URC@baylor.edu by March 16th at 11:59 pm. The application has been modified and can be found on the website. For more information visit: https://resources.research.baylor.edu/project-life-cycle/find-funding/internal-funding/university-research-committee-awards-one-urc
OVPR Grant Writing Workshops
Grant Writing Style Tips and Editing Strategies
Feb. 6, 12:00-1:00 p.m., BSB E.201 or Teams
Learn how to craft your grant sentences and paragraphs to catch the reviewer’s attention. Learn the top mistakes grant writers make. Understand best practices in grant editing. Register here: https://baylor.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_2hEnxvBZ3fxhzW6
Improving your 1-Pager (Specific Aims/Project Summary/Abstract)
Friday, March 6, 2026, 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm, BSB E.234 or Teams
Your 1-pager is a key document to help you win your grant. This workshop will explain what makes a compelling 1-pager and help you edit yours to be more effective. Bring your 1-page summary of your research. Work with other participants to edit your summary to match the best practices explained at the workshop. Register here: https://baylor.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9nvHjijCuvxLoF0
NSF CAREER Grant Workshop
Friday, April 10, 2026, 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm, Teams
This workshop will give you tips, tools, and resources to help you write a competitive NSF CAREER proposal. The workshop will explain grant components, give tips in writing, and provide Baylor’s grant tools that can help. We will focus on how to write an excellent Education Plan and the current Baylor education partnerships that can help. As a follow-up to this workshop, you can sign up for a one-on-one consultation with our team and receive personal editing and feedback on your proposal. Register here: https://baylor.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bq5vUa85nFaJ5xs
Save the Date: Write Winning Grants for NIH and NSF Seminar
Tuesday, May 19, 2026, 8:30-4:30 pm, BSB E.125 (in person only)
Presented by Dr. John Robertson from Grant Writers’ Seminars and Workshops (GWSW), the full-day workshop will address the practical, conceptual, and rhetorical aspects of writing competitive grant proposals. Dr. Robertson will cover:
(1) Critical steps for organizing and planning your proposal (all of the things you need to do before you start writing a full proposal in order to have a competitive edge)
(2) Understanding the role (and mindset) of your reviewers
(3) Our 4-paragraph rhetorical strategy for writing a compelling Specific Aims page (NIH) or an Overview & Objectives (NSF) section
(4) Specific strategies and tips for each major section of a grant proposal
Emphasis is placed on doing the “extra” things that can make the difference between being funded versus not. This seminar is appropriate for junior through senior faculty members, postdoctoral fellows, and doctoral students who have had some exposure to writing grant applications.
Faculty Research Fellows Applications Now Open for 2026–2027
Since 1971, the Institute for Oral History has supported Baylor University faculty through the Faculty Research Fellows program. This long-standing initiative sponsors original oral history research across disciplines, encouraging faculty to integrate interview-based methods into their scholarship.
Applications are now open for the 2026–2027 fellowship cycle. Faculty may submit project proposals through January 30, 2026, for oral history projects that will begin in June of the next fiscal year.
Fellows receive:
A stipend of up to $2,500
Training and consultation from Institute staff
Access to recording equipment
Transcription services
For more information, please contact the Institute for Oral History at buioh@baylor.edu.
