New NIH Requirement - Malign Foreign Talent Recruitment Program (MFTRP) Annual Certification for RPPRs
Although the NSPM-33 Common Forms include a similar certification, NIH has confirmed that this separate, NIH-specific certification is still required for all RPPRs.
What is Required?
For every senior/key person listed in an NIH RPPR:
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A signed certification statement must be uploaded in Section G.1 (Special Notice of Award and Funding Opportunity Announcement Reporting Requirements).
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The statement must use the exact NIH‑specified language:
I [insert name] certify that, at the time of submission, I am not a party to a malign foreign talent recruitment program.
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The certification must:
- Contain the individual’s signature
- Be saved as a flattened PDF
- Be uploaded as a separate file for each senior/key person
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Each file must follow NIH’s required naming convention:
MFTRPcert_[Name].pdf
(For example: MFTRPcert_JaneDoe.pdf)
There is no official template. NIH requires the statement to use exact, simple, standard language. Departments may create their own PDF or text file template for signature, as long as NIH formatting requirements are met.
Action Needed
Departments and PIs should ensure that all senior/key personnel prepare and sign this certification prior to the RPPR submission deadline. The signed, flattened PDF must then be uploaded in Section G.1 by the submitting unit.