A biographical sketch (also referred to as biosketch) describes an individual's qualifications and experience for a specific role in a project. Both NIH and NSF requires submission of a biosketch for each proposed senior/key personnel and other significant contributor on a grant application. SciENcv (Science Experts Network Curriculum Vitae) lets users easily create an online professional profile i.e., biosketches for NIH and NSF grant applications.
As of October 23, 2023, NSF grant applicants must use SciENcv to create NSF biosketches & for current and pending support documents.
NIH has been working with NSF and other federal agencies on developing Common Forms for the Biosketch and Current and Pending (Other) Support. NIH had planned to require the use of SciENcv for creating and submitting biosketches beginning on May 25, 2025, however, as of 3/25/2025, this is now on hold. Keep up to date on requirements by checking in with NIH’s Biosketch Format Pages, Instructions and Samples webpage and the Changes Coming to NIH Applications and Peer Review in 2025 webpage (see links below).
Getting started creating a Biosketch using SciENcv
Users can also access SciENcv by visiting the SciENcv website.
The last step is to download your PDF.
Here are some additional resources: