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
There are two biosketch format pages - non-fellowship biosketch (this page) and fellowship biosketch
NIH will move to the Common Form for Biographical Sketch and a new NIH Biographical Sketch Supplement prepared using SciENcv for application due dates and other submissions on or after May 25, 2025 (NOT-OD-24-163).
Description
Prepare biographical sketches for applications and progress reports for all applications and awards, except fellowships.
How to Access
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
- FORMS-H: Instructions for Biographical Sketch
- FORMS-I: Instructions for Biographical Sketch
Additional Information
- Biosketch topic page
- FAQs
- Learn whether a particular activity should be reported in the biosketch, other support, or annual progress reports: NIH Pre-award and Post-award Disclosures Relating to the Biographical Sketch and Other Support (PDF, 113 KB)
- Format Attachments (fonts, margins, page limits, etc.)
- Related Topics:
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 2025Biosketch (Fellowship): Biographical Sketch Format Page - FORMS-H
There are two biosketch format pages - fellowship biosketch (this page) and non-fellowship biosketch
- For due dates on/after January 25, 2025, Scholastic Performance is no longer required for Fellowship Biosketches. Enter “N/A” or leave blank. See NOT-OD-24-107.
- NIH will move to the Common Form for Biographical Sketch and a new NIH Biographical Sketch Supplement prepared using SciENcv for application due dates and other submissions on or after May 25, 2025 (NOT-OD-24-163).
Description
Prepare biographical sketches for applications and progress reports for fellowship applications and awards.
How to Access
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
- FORMS-H: Instructions for Biographical Sketch
- FORMS-I: Instructions for Biographical Sketch
Additional Information
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- Biosketch topic page
- FAQs
- Learn whether a particular activity should be reported in the biosketch, other support, or annual progress reports: NIH Pre-award and Post-award Disclosures Relating to the Biographical Sketch and Other Support (PDF, 113 KB)
- Format Attachments (fonts, margins, page limits, etc.)
- Related Topics:
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.