In September 2025, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) launched a Biosafety Modernization Initiative. This effort aims to modernize and strengthen biosafety policy, practices, and oversight. As a part of this initiative, NIH is gathering community input via a series of regional listening sessions. A recording of the first listening session on September 30 is available on the NIH VideoCast archive site. NIH is also welcoming comments 24/7 using their on-demand comment form.
ABSA International (The Association for Biosafety and Biosecurity) has developed templates for submitting comments. Penn State is working with our Council on Governmental Relations (COGR) partners to develop comments at this time. The IBC Program will share additional information about future listening sessions with the IBC and research community. Questions can be directed to ORP-Biosafety@psu.edu.