NIH Biosketches

NIH requirements

New biosketch changes are coming in 2025! Stay tuned for more info.

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. 

For applications due before May 25, 2025, the required components for an NIH biosketch include name, eRA Commons user name (for all senior/key personnel), position title, education and training, and the following sections:

A. Personal Statement (citing up to four publications)

B. Positions, Scientific Appointments, and Honors (all items should be in reverse chronological order, beginning with most recent)

C. Contribution to Science (up to five) (citing up to four publications per contribution)

D. As of January 25, 2022, Section D should no longer appear on non-fellowship biosketches. Instead, you may highlight research from the past three years in your Personal Statement (Section A). For more information, see this NIH notice. 

As of January 25, 2022, all senior key personnel must have an eRA Commons ID.

Currently, an entire NIH biosketch cannot be more than five pages, with no figures, graphics, or attached files. Biosketches for other agencies, such as PCORI, NSF and DOD, have different requirements. These forms often change with the funding cycle, so be sure to check the funding announcement for details.

For applications due on or after May 25, 2025: NIH recently issued Notice NOT-OD-24-163, in which they detailed three upcoming changes to the NIH Biosketch: 

  • Replacing the NIH Biosketch Format with the Biosketch Common Form, more familiarly used on NSF applications. 
  • Requiring the use of SciENcv to complete the Common Form (including a required ORCID ID).

  • Adding a new document, the NIH Biosketch Supplement, which will be used to collect the following components not required on the Common Form:

    A. Personal Statement

    B. Contribution to Science

    C. Honors

NIH has not issued instructions for completing the Common Forms and Supplement but will post them online closer to the implementation date. We will keep you posted once this announcement has been made. 

Current Page Limit (for applications due before May 25, 2025): 5 pages per biosketch.

Resources:

GSU video on NIH Biosketch Writing Tips (2025)