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NSF Biographical Sketch


The Biographical Sketch is used to assess how well qualified the individual, team, or organization is to conduct the proposed activities. Detailed information and instructions are available in the Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide (PAPPG) Chapter II.D.2.h(i).

Click here for additional information

Policy Question?

What is required?

A Biographical Sketch (limited to three pages) must be provided separately for each individual designated as senior personnel.

Who are senior personnel?

Senior personnel include the individuals designated by the proposer/awardee organization and approved by NSF who contribute in a substantive, meaningful way to the scientific development or execution of a research and development project proposed to be carried out with a research and development award.  

What else should I know?

Inclusion of additional information beyond that specified for the biographical sketch may result in the proposal being returned without review. Do not submit any personal information in the Biographical Sketch. This includes items such as: home address; home telephone, fax, or cell phone numbers; home e-mail address; driver's license number; marital status; personal hobbies; and the like. Such personal information is not appropriate for the Biographical Sketch and is not relevant to the merits of the proposal. NSF is not responsible or in any way liable for the release of such material.

How do I get started?

1. Create a new document
2. Enter the document title
3. Select NSF Biographical Sketch
4. Select Start with a blank document or Existing Document

Create a new document form



What are the sections of the biographical sketch?

Profile Information

Provides profile type, document summary and a link to NSF instructions.

           Profile information


Identifying Information, Organization and Location *

The senior person's requested information including associated organization and location.
 Step 1: Identifying Information, Organization and Location 

  Step2: Identifying Form

Here's how it should look:
                      How the completed form should look

Professional Preparation*

A list of the senior person's professional preparation (e.g., education and training), listed in reverse chronological order by start date. Include all postdoctoral and fellowship training, as applicable, listing each separately. Also include the baccalaureate degree or other initial professional education.

Step 1: Professional Preparation      



   
Step 2: Example form        


Here's how it should look:

                    Table



Appointments and Positions

Appointments and positions include any titled academic, professional, or institutional position whether or not remuneration is received, and whether full-time, part-time, or voluntary (including adjunct, visiting, or honorary). With regard to professional appointments, senior personnel must only identify all current domestic and foreign professional appointments outside of the individual's academic, professional, or institutional appointments at the proposing organization.

Step 1: Appointments/Positions start

Step 2: Example Form

Here's how it should look:
                      Table


Products

Provide a list of: up to five products most closely related to the proposed project; and up to five other significant products, whether or not related to the proposed project that demonstrate the senior person's qualifications to carry out the project as proposed.

Step 1: Products start

Step 2:  Form

Here's how it should look:
                      Table
Senior personnel who wish to include publications in the products section of the Biographical Sketch that include multiple authors may, at their discretion, choose to list one or more of the authors and then "et al" in lieu of including the complete listing of authors' names.
Editing citations flowchart

Tool tip Drag & Drop: You have the ability to change the order of the citations by draging the citation to the correct position.




Synergistic Activities

Provide a list of up to five distinct examples that demonstrates the broader impact of the individual's professional and scholarly activities that focus on the integration and transfer of knowledge as well as its creation.

Synergistic activities must be specific and must not include multiple examples to further describe the activity. Examples with multiple components, such as committee member lists, sub-bulleted highlights of honors and prizes, or a listing of organizations for which the individual has served as a reviewer, are not permitted.


Step 1: Synergistic Activities start

Step 2:  Form

Here's how it should look:  Table
                      


View Draft & Certification

Delegates and senior personnel are able to create a draft PDF at any stage.
            Draft view


Senior personnel are required to certify that the information provided is accurate, current, and complete.
Step 1: Certification

Step 2:  Certification Information

Here's how it should look: Example of certified PDF


Are you a delegate? If so, the PI, co-PI, and Senior Personnel are required to certify the document prior to downloading.
Delegate request


The NCBI Help Desk

What we do:
      • Assist customers using NCBI tools for Federal pre-award biosketches/financial support documentation and post-award NIH compliance
      • Provide expert advice on NCBI login and account management support
      • Provide guidance and troubleshooting for NCBI tools and resources
     

How do I contact the NCBI Help Desk?
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Last Reviewed: October 13, 2023