New DoD/CDMRP Requirements: Use of Common Forms and Certification Now Mandatory

Dear Colleagues,

Please be advised that the Department of Defense (DoD) Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP) now require the use of the federal-wide Common Forms for both biosketches and current & pending (other) support in all applications. NIH-format Word templates are no longer acceptable for CDMRP submissions.

This requirement is part of CDMRP’s implementation of federal research security policy under the National Security Memorandum-33 (NSPM-33), which mandates standardized disclosure of researcher support and affiliations.

What’s New in the Common Forms:

• Certification of non-participation in a Malign Foreign Talent Recruitment Program (MFTRP) must be completed via electronic signature on both the biosketch and other support form.
• Expanded disclosure of consulting activities: Any consulting arrangement that involves research, is related to the individual’s research portfolio, or has the potential to affect funding, effort, or scientific integrity must be disclosed.
  → See Columbia’s guidance: Consulting Disclosure in Current and Pending (Other) Support
• In-kind contributions (e.g., lab space, equipment, data or data sets) with an estimated dollar value of $5000 or more and that require a commitment of the individual's time must be disclosed.
• Expanded biosketch disclosures: Senior/Key persons must identify all domestic and foreign professional appointments and positions outside of the primary organization for a period up to three years from the date the applicant submits the application to CDMRP.

How to Complete the Forms:

• Researchers can use SciENcv to generate the Common Forms — note that only the NSF version is currently available, but will be accepted by DoD/CDMRP. See Columbia’s SciENcv resources.
• Alternatively, complete the Word templates made available on our DOD Researcher Disclosure Requirements webpage, which include all required fields and MFTRP certification language. These must be electronically signed.
• For electronic signatures:
  • If you already use DocuSign for NIH forms, you may continue to use it.
  • If you do not already have DocuSign, contact CUIT at [email protected].
• For assistance completing the Current and Pending (Other) Support form, see Have I Included...?

Please share this guidance with any faculty or administrators preparing CDMRP applications. The information, forms and resources above can also be located at DoD Researcher Disclosure Requirements.

For questions related to the forms, feel free to contact your SPA Project Officer.