NIH Biosketches

NIH requirements

The new NIH biosketch format will be required for all applications due on or after January 25, 2026! Please make sure you have a SciENcv ID and are familiar with the new Common Form instructions.

NIH Biosketch Guidelines

Biographical sketches (biosketches) are required for all key personnel (and mentors for training awards). This includes all PIs and Co-Investigators but, in some instances, may also include consultants, advisory board members, community members, and patients. 

NIH recently issued Notice NOT-OD-26-018, in which they confirmed that the new Common Form Biosketch (and Supplement), and the new Current and Pending (Other) Support format will be required for all applications due on or after January 25, 2026.

These changes are extensive. As a reminder they include:

  1. Replacing the NIH Biosketch Format with the Biosketch Common Form (PDF).
  2. Requiring the use of SciENcv to complete the Common Form (including a required ORCiD ID).
  3. Adding a new document, the NIH Biosketch Supplement, which will be used to collect the following components not required on the Common Form: the Personal Statement, Honors, and Contributions to Science.

The Biosketch Common Form and the new Biosketch Supplement will both be created and certified within SciENcv.

Guidance for training grant personnel may differ slightly. Please see GSU’s Training Grants Biosketch web page for more information: 

Rules 1 and 2 will also apply to the Current and Pending (Other) Support document. SciENcv currently has a test environment available, and NIH anticipates releasing the final forms the week of December 15th.

We strongly encourage faculty and administrative delegates to review Notice NOT-OD-26-018 for a detailed list of major changes. 

Current Page Limit: None.

Resources:

(The video below outlines these biosketch changes.) GSU video on NIH Biosketch Changes (2026)