February 3, 2026
To: Business Ofice Staf
From: Account Management Administrator Re: NIH Issues New Salary Cap Guidance
NIH has released guidance on Salary Cap Limitations. The Executive Level II limitation has been increased from $225,700 (AY $169,275) to $228,000 (AY $171,000). This increase is efective on the first day of the first applicable pay period beginning on or after January 1, 2026.
The limitations are outlined below based on applicability dates.
EXECUTIVE LEVEL I
|
Year |
Salary Cap FY |
Salary Cap AY |
Monthly Cap |
|
2008 |
$191,300 |
$143,475 |
$15,942 |
|
2009 |
$196,700 |
$147,525 |
$16,392 |
|
2010 |
$199,700 |
$149,775 |
$16,642 |
|
2011 |
$199,700 |
$149,775 |
$16,642 |
EXECUTIVE LEVEL II
|
Year |
Salary Cap FY |
Salary Cap AY |
Monthly Cap |
|
FY 12 |
$179,700 |
$134,775 |
$14,975 |
|
2014 |
$181,500 |
$136,126 |
$15,125 |
|
2015 |
$183,300 |
$137,475 |
$15,275 |
|
2016 |
$185,100 |
$138,825 |
$15,425 |
|
2017 |
$187,000 |
$140,250 |
$15,583 |
|
2018 |
$189,600 |
$142,200 |
$15,800 |
|
2019 |
$192,300 |
$144,225 |
$16,025 |
|
2020 |
$197,300 |
$147,975 |
$16,442 |
|
2021 |
$199,300 |
$149,475 |
$16,608 |
|
2022 |
$203,700 |
$152,775 |
$16,975 |
|
2023 |
$212,100 |
$159,075 |
$17,675 |
|
2024 |
$221,900 |
$166,425 |
$18,492 |
|
2025 |
$225,700 |
$169,275 |
$18,808 |
|
2026 |
$228,000 |
$171,000 |
$19,000 |
SPS Post Award will continue to mark Sponsored Programs with the applicable rate (ELI or ELII). Please be mindful of these notations when entering cost distributions.
The NIH Salary Cap Guidance can be located at NOT-OD-26-034: Guidance on Salary Limitation for Grants and Cooperative Agreements FY 2026
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Account Management Administrator or spsacctmgmt@purdue.edu. NOTE: HRSA funds are included in the Salary Cap Limitation.
