A Biosketch is a version of your Curriculum Vitae that is required by most sponsors of research.
NIH Biosketches
Compliance with NIH policy requires that each investigator understand the following with regard to reporting information via the Biosketch:
- Biosketches are required documents in competitive proposals and some RPPRs.
- NIH uses a standard Biosketch format, and that format is periodically updated (e.g., 2021, previously in 2014).
- The investigator is responsible for ensuring that his/her Biosketch includes all domestic and foreign positions, appointments and affiliations (regardless of whether they are paid, unpaid, volunteer, guest, adjunct, honorary) that are relevant to the application.
- NIH's NOT-OD-19-114 is a reminder that documentation submitted by UNMC to NIH must provide transparency with regard to Foreign Influence. Such documentation takes multiple forms including Other Support and Biosketch documents, Foreign Component information, and Conflict of Interest disclosures.
- New: Per NOT-OD-21-110, for submissions due on or after January 25, 2022, the format of the Biosketches (one for Fellowships and one for non-Fellowships) has been restructured.
Section A
- Section A ("Personal Statement") adds language specifying that this section should be used for "including details on ongoing and completed research projects from the past three years that the researcher want to draw attention to (previously known as research support)".
Section B
- Section B, "Positions and Honors" has been renamed "Positions, Scientific Appointments, and Honors".
- Changes order of listing from "chronological order" to "reverse chronological order"
- Revised to include the following specific language: "List in reverse chronological order all positions and scientific appointments both domestic and foreign, including affiliations with foreign entities or governments. 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)."
Section D
- Non-Fellowship Biosketches - Section D ("Scholastic Performance") has been removed.
- Fellowship Biosketches - Section D ("Scholastic Performance") has been updated to remove "Research Support".
Updated SciENcv Template
- Per NIH, the updated Biosketch format was made available in the SciENcv Biosketch template at some point in March 2021. Those with existing biosketches in SciENcv should be able to transfer their current biosketch information to the new format.
Effective Date
- Use of the updated format pages will be required for applications and Research Performance Progress Reports (RPPRs) submitted for due dates on or after May 25, 2021.
- Consequences: During the transition to the new Biosketch format, NIH will not withdraw applications that include the previous Biosketch format. Beginning with applications submitted on or after January 25, 2022, failure to follow the appropriate Biosketch format may cause NIH to withdraw your application from consideration.
NIH Sources
- Biosketch Format Pages, Instruction and Samples (updated March 2021)
- FAQs - Biosketches (updated March 2021)
- Protecting U.S. Biomedical Intellectual Innovation
UNMC Policy Reminder
Investigators are responsible for providing Biosketches that comply with both Sponsor and UNMC requirements.
UNMC’s policy, Policy No. 8014 Disclosing Foreign Support and International Activities, reminds researchers of the disclosure requirements:
“Disclosures of Activities Supported by Foreign Entities or Individuals are subject to review by the relevant academic program leader, the Chief Compliance Officer, the Export Control Director, and other UNMC officials as appropriate…When applying for external research funding, UNMC personnel must also comply with any disclosure requirements imposed by the funding organization. In many cases, this may require making separate disclosures to UNMC in addition to any disclosures required by the external funding organization.… Failure to comply with this policy will result in corrective or disciplinary action …, including termination, dismissal, or exclusion from participation in federally funded activities.”
UNMC’s Policy No. 8010 Conflict of Interest Policy
UNMC’s Policy No. 1049 Outside Employment