NIH BIOSKETCH
Nancy Myers Sims, Grants & Contracts Development Specialist
California State University, Fresno – Office of Research and Sponsored Programs
NIH BIOSKETCH
A Biosketch is a faculty member’s curriculum
vitae presented in a specified format
California State University, Fresno – Office of Research and Sponsored Programs
NIH BIOSKETCH
Required for
• All Senior Personnel
• Key Personnel
• Other Significant Contributors
• All people who play a substantive role in the
project
California State University, Fresno – Office of Research and Sponsored Programs
About BIOSKETCHES
• Biosketches highlight key personnel and other significant
contributors’ relevant experience and/or qualifications
• Biosketches demonstrate that the PI and staff have
enough experience to execute the research plan
• Biosketches are required for these people even if they
show no specific effort on the project and aren’t being paid
from the grant.
• Biosketches are specific to a proposed project
California State University, Fresno – Office of Research and Sponsored Programs
MAJOR SECTIONS of BIOSKETCH
•
Header
•
Personal Statement***
•
Positions and Honors
•
Selected Peer-Reviewed Publications
•
Research Support
California State University, Fresno – Office of Research and Sponsored Programs
Specifications for Biosketch
• Not to exceed four (4) pages
• Header Info – Name, Position (at university, not on grant), eRA
Commons username, Education (beginning with Bacc).
• Personal Statement – Very important. Will review separately.
• Positions and Honors – List in chronological order, concluding with
present position
• Selected Peer-reviewed Pubs – key word “selected.” No more than 15.
• Research support – ongoing and completed research projects for past
3 years
California State University, Fresno – Office of Research and Sponsored Programs
Biosketch Header
The Header contains personal and educational information
California State University, Fresno – Office of Research and Sponsored Programs
Biosketch Header
Information on the NIH Biosketch header should be
consistent with information in eRA Commons
California State University, Fresno – Office of Research and Sponsored Programs
Personal Statement
• Tell a story of how your own background
intersects with the project at hand
• Don’t list publications and achievements
again in a narrative format
• List your strengths that aren’t apparent
from pubs and educational sections
California State University, Fresno – Office of Research and Sponsored Programs
Personal Statement
• Write in 1st or 3rd person (I/The PI)
• Begin by stating the goal of project
• State experience and qualifications
that make you well-suited for your
role in this specific project
California State University, Fresno – Office of Research and Sponsored Programs
Personal Statement
What makes for a BAD Personal Statement?
• Failure to adequately link your expertise to the proposed project
• Incorrectly explaining the project and its aims
• Listing info included elsewhere in biosketch without providing elaboration
or supporting info
• Egotistical reference to yourself
• Omitting your important contributions to the field
• Letting someone else write your Personal Statement and submitting it
without your review
• Failure to be consistent with 1st and 3rd person
California State University, Fresno – Office of Research and Sponsored Programs
Personal Statement
While the personal statement may not
make a huge difference in your grant’s
fundability, it could make a difference if
you’re close to the funding line and
need just that extra bit to push you
over into the black (that means funded)
range
California State University, Fresno – Office of Research and Sponsored Programs
Common Problems in Biosketches
• Including Current & Pending support instead of current
(on-going) and completed support
• Incomplete or incorrect data
• Including % of effort on projects
• Adding budget amounts to projects
California State University, Fresno – Office of Research and Sponsored Programs