On July 28, 2026, the U.S. Government issued the new United States Government Policy for Stopping High-Risk Life Sciences Research. The policy establishes a new framework for identifying and overseeing life sciences research that may pose significant risks to public health, public safety, and national security. It was developed in response to Executive Order 14292, Improving the Safety and Security of Biological Research, and replaces the 2024 United States Government Policy for Oversight of Dual Use Research of Concern and Pathogens with Enhanced Pandemic Potential.
The policy focuses on two principal areas:
- Dangerous gain-of-function research (DGOF)
- International Research of Concern (IROC)
The policy also establishes a review pathway for potential DGOF research. This refers to research that could potentially result in one or more specified harmful outcomes, as written in the policy.
Note: As issued, the new USG Policy applies to all biological agents used in life sciences research.
Implementation timeline
- Within 120 days of policy issuance: Relevant federal departments and funding agencies are expected to issue implementation guidance. For more information on NIH’s implementation of the Policy, please see a statement issued by NIH Director, as well as a notice NIH has published in its Guide to Grants and Contracts.
- Within 180 days of policy issuance: Institutions receiving federal life sciences research funding must establish appropriate policies and procedures.
What Principal Investigators need to do now
No immediate action is required at this time. Researchers should continue to comply with all current IBC approvals, award conditions, biosafety requirements, and existing institutional policies. However, PIs should remain observant to whether future or ongoing work could:
- Increase the harmful effects, transmissibility, stability, host range, or therapeutic resistance of a biological agent;
- Interfere with immunity, vaccination, treatment, or detection;
- Increase the susceptibility of human, animal, or plant populations;
- Reconstitute an eradicated or extinct biological agent; or
- Involve potentially sensitive international research collaborations, foreign performance sites, institutions, or personnel.
We are working with colleagues across campus and the UC system to understand the new policy in preparation for our local implementation. In the coming months, additional UCLA guidance and training information will be issued to the research community.
Questions? Please email IBC@research.ucla.edu.