Funding Transition Updates: Please see Federal Transition Updates 2025 for the latest federal executive orders and research activities.
Biographical Sketch (Biosketch)/CV
A biographical sketch (also referred to as biosketch) documents an individual's qualifications and experience for a specific role in a project. Most sponsors require senior/key personnel (Sr/KP) to provide a curriculum vitae (CV) or biosketch as part of a proposal, highlighting their professional and academic history. A biosketch may include information such as work experience, honors and awards, scholarships and funding the individual has been awarded, and publications of work. Each sponsor has its own set of guidelines and requirements for submitting the biosketch, including specified format. Failure to comply with disclosure requirements could result in a number of negative consequences for both the researcher and GW, including, but not limited to, the withdrawal of pending applications, delay in funding consideration, termination of current awards, and ineligibility for future federal funding. GW investigators on federal awards are required to provide comprehensive disclosures, complete relevant training and provide individual certifications in compliance with sponsor specific requirements. Sr/KP are encouraged to conduct a close review of each sponsor’s specific biosketch requirements below for compliant proposal preparation and submission.
Please Note: Do not include any sensitive or protected personally identifiable information including social security numbers, birthdates, citizenship, marital status, or home addresses. Do not include information that a merit reviewer should not make use of or that is not relevant to the person’s position with respect to the proposed project.
Process
- GW Investigators are encouraged to create an ORCiD (Open Researcher and Contributor Identifier) account, as a prerequisite to using SciENcv to prepare the Biosketch.
- Each Sr/KP listed on a proposal creates a Biosketch in SciENcv in accordance with sponsor-specific guidelines.
NIH has adopted the use of the Common Form for the Biographical Sketch and a new Biographical Sketch Supplement for all applications, Just-in-Time (JIT), Research Performance Progress Reports (RPPRs), and Prior Approvals submitted for due dates on or after January 25, 2026 (see NIH Guide Notice NOT-OD-26-018).
Who should submit a Biosketch?
NIH requires submission of a biosketch for each proposed senior/key personnel and other significant contributor on a grant application. You must include eRA Commons credentials and biosketches for the project directors/principal investigators (PD/PIs) and all other individuals named on the R&R Senior/Key Person Profile Form.
Some funding opportunities or programs may also request biosketches for additional personnel (e.g., Participating Faculty Biosketch attachment for institutional training awards).
When should you submit a Biosketch?
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.
Why is a Biosketch required?
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.
What is included in Biosketch?
Learn which activity should be reported in the biosketch, other support, or annual progress reports: Pre-award and Post-award Disclosures Requirements Related to Biographical Sketch and Other Support for Sr./Key Personnel.
How to prepare a Biosketch
NIH has adopted use of the Common Form for the Biographical Sketch and a new Biographical Sketch Supplement for all applications and JIT, RPPR, and Prior Approvals submitted for due dates on or after January 25, 2026 (see NIH Guide Notice NOT-OD-26-018). NIH applicants and recipients are required to utilize SciENcv to prepare the Common Form for the Biographical Sketch and Biographical Sketch Supplement. To get started using SciENcv, applicants are required to have an ORCID ID and link it with their eRA Commons profile.
NIH has prepared instructions for completing the Common Form for Biographical Sketch, as well as Frequently Asked Questions.
Resources
NSF implemented the Common Forms for the Biosketch all senior/key personnel, effective for proposals submitted or due on or after May 20, 2024, as part of the NSF Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide (PAPPG) 24-1 .
New Certification Requirement for Research Security Training: Effective on December 2, 2025, NSF Important Notice No. 149 implements mandatory research security training certification from proposers and individuals identified as senior/key personnel. This notice applies to NSF proposal submissions made on or after December 2, 2025. Research security training must be completed within 12 months prior to proposal submission. The certification made at the time of proposal submission apply only to the proposed project. Awards made before the effective date are not subject to this requirement.
Who should submit a Biosketch?
NSF requires a biographical sketch for each individual identified as senior/key personnel.
When should you submit a Biosketch?
Biosketches for each senior/key personnel must be submitted as part of the proposal package via Research.gov.
Why is a Biosketch required?
This document outlines an individual's education and training, their appointments and positions, and other information that helps NSF assess how well qualified the individual is to conduct the proposed activities.
What is included in Biosketch?
A brief outline of the required information include: identifying information, organization and location, professional preparation, appointments and positions, and products.
Note: Starting May 20, 2024, biosketches should no longer include information on synergistic activities. These activities must instead be listed in the new Synergistic Activities document.
The NSF disclosures table provides helpful reference information regarding pre-award and post-award disclosure information for the biographical sketch proposal section and identifies where these disclosures must be provided in proposals and in project reports.
How to prepare a Biosketch
Proposers must use SciENcv: Science Experts Network Curriculum Vitae to prepare their biographical sketches for proposals to NSF. SciENcv will produce an NSF-compliant PDF version of the biographical sketch. Proposers must save this document and submit it as part of their proposal via Research.gov or Grants.gov.
NSF Certification Requirements [Updated]
Each individual identified as a senior/key person is required to complete three certifications prior to proposal submission:
- that the information provided in their Biographical Sketch is accurate, current, and complete. This includes, but is not limited to, information related to domestic and foreign appointments and positions. The certification language is included in the SciENcv template.
- that the individual is not a party to a malign foreign talent recruitment program.
- that the individual has completed research security training within 12 months prior to proposal submission. [NEW]
Resources
- See PAPPG Chapter II.D.2.h(i) for complete coverage on the content and formatting requirements for the biographical sketch.
- NSF Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide (PAPPG) 24-1
- NSF table: NSPM-33 Implementation Guidance Pre-award and Post-award Disclosures Relating to the Biographical Sketch and Current and Pending Support (May 2024)
- NSF PAPPG 24-1
- NSF Biographical Sketch
- Updates to the NSF Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide (PAPPG) (NSF24-1) [VIDEO]
- Research.gov
DOD requires a Biosketch for each person who will contribute significantly to the proposed project.
Who should submit a Biosketch?
Biosketches must be provided for each Senior/Key Person and attached to the individual’s Profile in the Attach Biographical Sketch.
When should you submit a Biosketch?
Biosketch information is generally required during proposal submission, but updates to the information may be requested as part of interim reports or whenever significant changes occur. Please refer to announcement and award terms for specific requirements.
What is included in Biosketch?
Biosketch requirements can vary depending on the DOD agency and funding opportunity. Please refer to the individual announcement for specific proposal requirements. It is recommended that investigators include all paid or unpaid positions with non-profit or commercial entities or academic or research institutions, including honorary positions, affiliated positions, joint positions, participation in Talents Programs, and relevant honors.
How to prepare a Biosketch
The suggested biographical sketch format is available on the “Funding Opportunities & Forms” webpage. The National Institutes of Health Biosketch may also be used. All biographical sketches should be submitted in uneditable PDF format. Page limitations will be specified in the program announcement.
Resources
For funding opportunities published on or after January 1, 2026, covered individuals on DOE applications and projects are required to generate the Common Form for the Biographical Sketch via the Science Experts Network Curriculum Vitae (SciENcv).
Who should submit a Biosketch?
DOE will require all covered individuals named in the application to prepare their DOE Biosketch Common Form electronically via SciENcv. Covered Individual has the meaning specified in the applicable NOFO/financial assistance agreement. DOE/NNSA’s standard definition of covered individual is outlined in FAL 2025- 02 Research Security Training Requirement for all R&D Financial Assistance Awards.
When should you submit a Biosketch?
When required, NOFO applicants must include the Biosketch and Current and Pending Support Common Form submissions for all covered individuals named in the application.
After award selection and during the life of the award:- If a recipient or subrecipient wishes to adds a new covered individual to the project, such person(s) must submit the Biosketch and Current and Pending Support Common Forms and obtain DOE approval prior to joining the project team.
- For previously approved covered individuals, if there are changes to the previously submitted Biosketch or Current and Pending SupportPS Common Form, the individuals must update their disclosures within 30 days of the change, or on a timeline consistent with the DOE program office instructions.
Why is a Biosketch required?
A biosketch provides information that can be used by reviewers to evaluate the PI’s potential for leadership within the scientific community. The Common Form for Biographical Sketch (“Biosketch”) replaces the resume requirement in all DOE and NNSA NOFO, financial assistance agreements resulting from those NOFOs, congressionally directed spending (CDS) projects, and non-competitive financial assistance agreements that are issued on or after the effective date of FAL 2026-02.
What is included in Biosketch?
DOE provides details on what should be disclosed on the What to include in a Biographical Sketch page. Additionally, refer to the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) or Award Terms and Conditions for complete instructions for the Biographical Sketch.
Note: Separate and distinct from the Common Forms, SciENcv now also contains a supplemental disclosure for DOE that is focused on foreign country of concern (FCOC) connections. DOE is taking a risk-based approach to determine what subset of funding opportunities will require the supplemental disclosure (“CPS Addendum”). The CPS Addendum is only required if the funding opportunity or award terms and conditions explicitly state that a CPS Addendum is required. It gives DOE a standard set of questions to use in situations where a funding opportunity is more sensitive. If required, the CPS Addendum will be used in the research, technology, and economic due diligence review process.
How to prepare a Biosketch
DOE provided the following guidance on how to prepare the Biosketch in its Common Forms in SciENcv FAQ’s.
Covered individuals create a free SciENcv account, fill out the webforms, and complete the required certifications. For R&D application submissions, covered individuals must obtain an ORCiD ID, link it to their SciENcv account, and confirm their ORCiD ID appears in the Persistent Identifier (PID) section of the Common Forms.
DOE Certification Requirements
Each covered individuals is required to complete the following certifications prior to proposal submission and during the award period:
- Acknowledge understanding that they have been designated as a covered individual by DOE as the federal funding agency.
- Certify that information contained in this Biographical Sketch Common Form is true, complete, and accurate.
- Certify that they are not currently participating in a malign foreign talent recruitment program (MFTRP) and that if they take action to be involved with a MFTRP, they will notify GW’s Authorized Organizational Representative (AOR), via email osr
gwu [dot] edu (osr[at]gwu[dot]edu) immediately, no later that five business days of taking such action and immediately recuse themselves from all DOE awards. - Certify that they have completed the research security training within 12 months prior to the application submission.
Resources
- The Principal Investigator confirms that an updated certified Biosketch for each Sr/KP is included as part of the proposal packet to be routed for internal review and submission to the sponsor.
- The Research Support Team checks to ensure that an updated certified Biosketch for each Sr/KP has been included in the proposal packet on the proper format for routing in myResearch
- The Office of Sponsored Projects reviews the proposal packet to ensure that a certified Biosketch has been included for each Sr/KPin myResearch.
Resources
- Additional information on SciENcv is available at GW Himmelfarb Health Sciences Library.
- OSP Using SciENcv Walkthrough Video
- Additional information on ORCiD is available at GW Gelman Library and GW Himmelfarb Health Sciences Library.
- GW Step by Step ORCiD Guide Video
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is ORCiD?
An ORCiD is the unique identifier assigned to an individual scholar or researcher to distinguish scholars from one another. Having an ORCiD account is a prerequisite to using SciENcv. ORCiD accounts simplify the process of entering and updating publications in one place, and importing the publication records into SciENcv. OSP strongly encourages GW researchers to obtain their ORCiD account now.
- How do I create an ORCiD account?
GW Library resources are available to assist in the creation of your ORCiD.To get started, individuals are encouraged to obtain an ORCiD in order to prepare biosketches using SciENcv.
Additional information on ORCiD is available at GW Gelman Library and GW Himmelfarb Health Sciences Library.
- What services are provided during GW librarian consultations?
GW librarians at either the Gelman or the Himmelfarb Library assist researchers with setting up an ORCiD account, and navigating SciENcv to create and maintain approved formats for NSF (currently in use) and NIH (pending NIH announcement of new effective date for implementation).
- What is SciENcv?
SciENcv is an electronic system that helps researchers assemble the professional information needed for participation in federally funded research. SciENcv gathers and compiles information on expertise, employment, education and professional accomplishments. Researchers may be required to use Science Experts Network Curriculum Vitae (SciENcv) to create, update, and maintain biosketches that are submitted with grant applications, just-in-time requests, and annual progress reports.
- Where can I get additional information on creating SciENcv?
GW Libraries provide detailed instructions on SciENcv at GW Gelman Library and GW Himmelfarb Health Sciences Library.
Support
- For research support team (RST) contact information, click here.
- For pre-award assistance from OSP, email osp_pre-awardgwu [dot] edu (osp_pre-award[at]gwu[dot]edu).
- For assistance with myResearch, email myresearchgwu [dot] edu (myresearch[at]gwu[dot]edu).
- Additional information on ORCiD and SciENcv is available through the GW Libraries.