New Instructions for NIH Biosketch

The instructions for the NIH Biosketch have changed and take effect with deadlines on May 25, 2015.  Originally, the NIH bio was similar to a CV with a listing of the investigator's education, professional experience and publications. Over time the biosketch has taken on a more narrative format with the Research Support Section and Personal Statement.  The new instructions replace the Publications section with a new section entitled, "Contributions to Science".  Here an investigator can describe up to 5 of their most significant contributions to science. Each contribution needs to be referenced by up to 4 peer-reviewed publications or other research products, such as a video, patent or software.  The page limit for the Biographical Sketch has been increased from four to five pages.

A.    Personal Statement
Briefly describe why you are well-suited for your role in the project described in this application. The relevant factors may include aspects of your training; your previous experimental work on this specific topic or related topics; your technical expertise; your collaborators or scientific environment; and your past performance in this or related fields (you may mention specific contributions to science that are not included in Section C).   Also, you may identify up to four peer reviewed publications that specifically highlight your experience and qualifications for this project.   If you wish to explain impediments to your past productivity, you may include a description of factors such as family care responsibilities, illness, disability, and active duty military service.

B.    Positions and Honors
List in chronological order previous positions, concluding with the present position. List any honors. Include present membership on any Federal Government public advisory committee.

C.    Contribution to Science
Briefly describe up to five of your most significant contributions to science. For each contribution, indicate the historical background that frames the scientific problem; the central finding(s); the influence of the finding(s) on the progress of science or the application of those finding(s) to health or technology; and your specific role in the described work. For each of these contributions, reference up to four peer-reviewed publications or other non-publication research products (can include audio or video products; patents; data and research materials; databases; educational aids or curricula; instruments or equipment; models; protocols; and software or netware) that are relevant to the described contribution. The description of each contribution should be no longer than one half page including figures and citations. Also provide a URL to a full list of your published work as found in a publicly available digital database such as SciENcv or My Bibliography, which are maintained by the US National Library of Medicine.

D.    Research Support
List both selected ongoing and completed research projects for the past three years (Federal or non-Federally-supported). Begin with the projects that are most relevant to the research proposed in the application. Briefly indicate the overall goals of the projects and responsibilities of the key person identified on the Biographical Sketch. Do not include number of person months or direct costs.