NIH Asks Permission to Keep Tracking Its Free Helpers
Published Date: 12/18/2025
Notice
Summary
The NIH is asking for a 30-day public comment on their request to keep collecting info from special volunteers and guest researchers. This affects people who work or volunteer in NIH research programs and won’t cost anyone extra money. They want to make sure their forms stay approved and easy to use, so the research keeps running smoothly.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
NIH keeps forms for volunteers/researchers
NIH is asking OMB to extend three forms (NIH Form 590, NIH Form 590-1, and NIH Form 590-2; OMB control number 0925-0177, current expiration March 31, 2026) and requests approval for 3 years. People who work or volunteer in NIH intramural research will still need to complete these forms; NIH estimates a total annual burden of 652 hours (2,300 Special Volunteer/Guest Researcher Assignment responses at 6 minutes each, 2,100 Special Volunteer Agreement responses at 5 minutes each, and 200 Guest Researcher Agreement responses at 5 minutes each). There are no monetary costs to respondents other than their time.
Extra 30‑day public comment window
NIH opened an additional 30-day public comment period on this information collection; comments are best assured of full effect if received within 30 days of the December 18, 2025 publication. The earlier 60-day notice (published September 25, 2025) received no public comments, and this notice gives the public another chance to comment.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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