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NIH Biographical Sketch


The National Institutes of Health (NIH) requires submission of a biosketch for each proposed senior/key personnel and other significant contributor on a grant application. Some funding opportunities or programs may also request biosketches for additional personnel. NIH staff and peer reviewers utilize the biosketch to ensure that individuals included on the applications are equipped with the skills, knowledge, and resources necessary to carry out the proposed research.


Click here for additional information.

Who are PD and PI personnel?

The Program Director/Principal Investigator (PD/PI) is defined as the individual(s) judged by the applicant organization to have the appropriate level of authority and responsibility to direct the project or program supported by the award. The applicant organization may designate multiple individuals as PD/PIs who share the authority and responsibility for leading and directing the project, intellectually and logistically. Each PD/PI is responsible and accountable to the applicant organization, or, as appropriate, to a collaborating organization, for the proper conduct of the project or program including the submission of all required reports. The presence of more than one identified PD/PI on an application or award diminishes neither the responsibility nor the accountability of any individual PD/PI. 

What else should I know?

Applicants and recipients are required to submit biosketches:

  • in competing applications for all types of grant programs,

  • in progress reports when new senior/key personnel or other significant contributors are identified, and

  • to support prior approval requests for changes in senior/key personnel status and changes of recipient organization.

How do I get started?

  1. Create a new document
  2. Enter the document title
  3. Select NIH Biosketch or NIH Fellowship Biosketch
  4. Select Start with a blank document or Existing Document
Create a new document form


What are the sections of the NIH Biosketch and Fellowship Biosketch?


Profile Information
Provides document information, profile type with an NIH Policy link, the ability edit your personal name, and
add eRA Commons/ORCID information.

Biosketch Profile page





Education/Training

Add your academic degree(s) and training.

Step 1: Education/Training

Step 2:

Here's how it should look: Table

A. Personal Statement
Briefly describe why you are well-suited for your role(s) in this project with the ability to cite up to four publications or research products that highlight both experience and qualifications for the project.


Step 1:  Personal Statement

Step 2:  Example Form

Here's how it should look: Table

B. Positions, Scientific Appointments and Honors
List all current positions and scientific appointments both domestic and foreign, including affiliations with foreign entities or governments.
High school students and undergraduates may include any previous positions.

Step 1: Positions, Scientific Appointments and Honors

Step 2: Example form

Example Form

Here's how it should look:
                 Table 

C. Contribution to Science
Briefly describe up to five of your most significant contributions to science.

The description of each contribution should be no longer than one half page, including citations. 

Step 1: Contribution to Science

Step 2: Example Form

Here's how it should look:
                 Table

What is different with the NIH Fellowship?


D. Scholastic Performance

Only the following types of applicants must complete this section:

  • applicants for predoctoral and postdoctoral fellowships
  • applicants to dissertation research grants (e.g., R36)
  • candidates for research supplements to promote diversity in health-related research from the undergraduate through postdoctoral levels

List all the undergraduate and graduate courses completed and the corresponding year and grade for each course.

Here's how it should look:Table

 

What if I made a mistake?

Each section has an Edit link, simply click the link, follow the on-screen prompts, make your corrections, and click Done.

Edit fields



Your Turn: Edit section C. Contributions to Science
Click here to start
    • Locate section C. Contribution to Science
    • Click Add another contribution
    • Click the Edit link next to Description
    • Click inside of the Description box to generate text
    • Click the checkmark
    • Click the Edit link next to Citations
    • Click in the first box to select citations
    • Click the Save citations link
    • Once the file finishes uploading click Done
    •  Exit out of the browser
  Tip icon If you get stuck, click anywhere on the screen for a hint.

 

The NCBI Help Desk

What we do:

    • Assist customers using NCBI tools for Federal pre-award biosketches/financial support documentation and post-award NIH compliance
    • Provide expert advice on NCBI login and account management support
    • Provide guidance and troubleshooting for NCBI tools and resources


How do I contact the NCBI Help Desk?
email us at info@ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Last Reviewed: March 28, 2024