Biosketch Format Pages, Instructions, and Samples

Scope Note

A biographical sketch (also referred to as biosketch) documents an individual's qualifications and experience for a specific role in a project. 

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 (e.g., Participating Faculty Biosketch attachment for institutional training awards). 

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.

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.

NIH biosketches must conform to a specific format. Applicants and recipients can use the provided format pages to prepare their biosketch attachments or can use SciENcv,  a tool used to develop and automatically format biosketches according to NIH requirements.

Biosketch (Non-Fellowship): Biographical Sketch Format Page - FORMS-H

Description

Prepare biographical sketches for applications and progress reports for all applications and awards, except fellowships.

How to Access

non-fellowship biosketch format page
Non-fellowship Biosketch (DOCX, 29 KB) (blank format page)
The format page should be submitted as an attachment in grant applications and progress reports.

Instructions

Additional Information

Sample: Forms-H Non-Fellowship Biosketches

non fellowship biosketch sample

 

Try SciENcv to help you develop your biosketch and automatically format it according to NIH requirements. Reflects removal of Section D per NOT-OD-21-073 first guide notice.

Note: Only the OMB Expiration Date has changed since FORMS-G version. FORMS-G and FORMS-H versions are both acceptable.

Updated Date

January 2025

Biosketch (Fellowship): Biographical Sketch Format Page - FORMS-H

Description

Prepare biographical sketches for applications and progress reports  for fellowship applications and awards.

How to Access

fellowship-biosketch format

Fellowship Biosketch (DOCX, 32 KB) (FORMS-H blank format page)
The format page should be submitted as an attachment in grant applications and progress reports.

Instructions

Additional Information

Sample: Forms-H Fellowship Biosketches

 

Try SciENcv  to help you develop your biosketch and automatically format it according to NIH requirements.

Note: Only the OMB Expiration Date has changed since FORMS-G version. FORMS-G and FORMS-H versions are both acceptable.

Updated Date

January 2025

This page last updated on: August 8, 2024
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