Using SciENcv to Prepare NSF Formats
SciENcv is mandatory to prepare the NSF Biographical Sketch (Biosketch) and Current and Pending Support for all proposal submissions due on or after October 23, 2023. The Office of Sponsored Projects (OSP) encourages GW researchers to setup their individual ORCID account that will allow integration with SciENcv. Researchers can schedule their ORCID consultation with a GW librarian (Gelman / Himmelfarb) for assistance. SciENcv and ORCID are two distinct systems that can be used together to facilitate creation of the NSF Biosketch. ORCID supports automated linkages between the researcher and their publications eliminating the need to manually add publications moving forward.
GW librarians can:
- assist researchers with setting up an ORCID (Open Researcher and Contributor Identifier) account. ORCID accounts simplify the process of entering and updating publications in one place, and importing the publication records into SciENcv.
- assist with navigating SciENcv to create and maintain approved formats for NSF.
GW Library Contacts for ORCID or SciENcv Consultations
Request for Online Consultation with a GW Gelman Librarian | Request for Online Consultation with a GW Himmelfarb Librarian |
Research.gov
New proposals must be prepared and submitted in Research.gov. FastLane proposal preparation and submission functionality has been decommissioned. Research.gov has replaced Fastlane for submission of most NSF proposals
NSF SciENcv Biographical Sketch & Current and Pending Support
For submissions due on or after January 30, 2023, proposers are required to use SciENcv to prepare the Biographical Sketch and Current and Pending Support for all senior personnel. Research.gov will generate a compliance error message if a proposer attempts to upload documents prepared without using SciENcv.
The Biosketch has a three-page limit, while the Current and Pending Support has no page limit. Senior personnel must prepare, save, certify, and download using SciENcv. The certified documents should be uploaded as part of the proposal to be submitted via Research.gov.
A Current and Pending Support document using SciENcv must be provided separately for each individual designated as senior personnel. NSF will require all senior personnel on potential awards to submit updated Current and Pending Support documents using SciENcv prior to award, and as part of the annual and final reporting process, when applicable.
NSF Certification of Biographical Sketch & Current and Pending Support
In accordance with the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) Section 223, senior personnel are now required to certify that the information provided in their Biographical Sketch and Current and Pending Support documents are accurate, current, and complete. Senior personnel are required to update their Current and Pending Support disclosures prior to award, and at any subsequent time the agency determines appropriate during the term of the award.
ORCID ID
Having an ORCID account is a prerequisite to using SciENcv, as required for proposal submitted or due on or after October 23, 2023. GW researchers are encouraged to obtain an ORCID ID in order to prepare NSF formats using SciENcv. To get started, researchers may visit the GW Libraries: ORCID website for more information.
As a reminder, the mandate to use SciENcv for preparation of the NSF Biographical Sketch and Current and Pending Support as senior personnel documents, is in effect for new proposals submitted or due on/after October 23, 2023.
What to Disclose in NSF Current and Pending Support?
Disclose | Content |
All projects including the current proposal | All projects currently under consideration from whatever source, and all ongoing projects, irrespective or whether support is provided through the proposing organization, another organization, or directly to the individual |
In-Kind Contributions | In-kind contributions not intended for use on the project/proposal being proposed to NSF and have an associated time commitment |
Personnel | Postdoctoral scholars, students, or visiting scholars who are supported by an external entity, whose research activities are not intended for use on the project/proposal being proposed to NSF, and have an associated time commitment |
Consulting | Consulting that falls outside of an individual’s appointment |
Travel | Travel supported/paid by an external entity to perform research activities with an associated time commitment |
Startup Company | Startup company based on non-organization-licensed IP |
Startup Packages | Startup packages from organizations other than the proposing organization |
Foreign Activities | Current or pending participation in, or applications to, programs sponsored by foreign governments, instrumentalities, or entities, including foreign government-sponsored talent recruitment programs (appropriate placement may be contract dependent) |
Not Disclosed in NSF Current and Pending Support
Not Disclosed | Content | Report Elsewhere |
Professional Preparation | e.g., education and training | Yes. Include in Biographical Sketch |
Appointments | Academic, professional, or institutional appointments and positions, whether or not remuneration is received, and whether full-time, part-time or voluntary | Yes. Include in Biographical Sketch |
In-Kind Contributions | In-kind contributions that support the research activity for use on the project/proposal being proposed | Yes. Include in Facilities, Equipment & Other Resources |
Personnel | Postdoctoral scholars, students, or visiting scholars who are supported by an external entity and whose research activities are intended for use on the project/proposal being proposed to NSF | Yes. Include in Facilities, Equipment & Other Resources |
Consulting | Consulting that is considered part of an individual’s appointment/agreement with their home organization and consistent with the proposing organization’s “Outside Activities” policies and procedures | No |
Travel | Travel supported/paid by and external entity to attend a conference or workshop | No |
Honoraria | Honoraria or other given for the purpose of conferring distinction or to symbolize respect, esteem, or admiration unrelated to research oversight, supervision or co-authorship | No |
Teaching Commitments | N/A | No |
Startup Company | Startup company based on organization-licensed IP | No |
Startup Packages | Organizational startup packages provided to the individual from the proposing organization | No |
Unrestricted Gifts | If an item or service meets the definition of a gift, it is not reported | No |
Training Awards and Prizes | N/A | No |
Mentoring | Mentoring as part of an appointment or agreement, or mentor/mentee arrangements that do not involve the individual’s research activities | No |
Salary | Academic year salary or salary provided to the individual by the home organization | No |
Support | Recently completed support or support that has ended | No |
Facilities | Core facilities and/or shared equipment that is broadly available | No |
F&A Reimbursement | F&A reimbursement provided to the proposing/home organization | No |
NSF Resources
Additional Resources
- GW Libraries ORCID Guide
- Gelman Library ORCID Guide
- OSP NSF Biographical Sketch & Current and Pending Support Guide
- SciENcv Home Page (Training resources are available on the SciENcv website.)