Important Changes to the NIH Biographical Sketch and Other Support Format Page [Effective 05/25/2021]
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The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has announced an update to the required application forms (Forms-F) (NOT-OD-21-073) that outlines significant changes to the format of the Biographical Sketch (Biosketch) and Other Support, submitted with both applications and Research Performance Progress Reports (RPPRs). All applications and RPPRs due May 25, 2021 and after are required to use the updated forms.
Biographical Sketch changes include the requirement that “all positions and scientific appointments both domestic and foreign, including affiliations with foreign entities or governments” be listed in reverse order under section B. “This includes titled academic, professional, or institutional appointments whether or not remuneration is received, and whether full-time, part-time, or voluntary (including adjunct, visiting, or honorary).” The Personal Statement (Section A) has been revised to include research support that formerly was included under Research Support and/or Scholastic Performance (Section D). The revised Section D for Scholastic Performance is now only present on fellowship applications. The new format and instructions for the biographical sketch can be found here.
The format of the Other Support page has been altered to clarify that (1) both funded projects and in-kind support must be included, (2) all key personnel must electronically sign the form prior to submission to certify accuracy, and (3) supporting documents, including “copies of contracts, grants or any other agreement specific to senior/key personnel foreign appointments and/or employment with a foreign institution”, are required. “If the contracts, grants or other agreements are not in English, recipients must provide translated copies.” The new format and instructions for the Other Support page can be found here.
Based on the Office of Science and Technology Policy Joint Committee on the Research Environment guidance, it is expected that similar changes will be made for other federal agencies in the near future.