As of January 25, 2022, NIH will require new Biographical Sketches and Other Support format pages required for use in competing applications, and in all Just-in-Time (JIT) and Research Performance Progress Reports (RPPRs).
Summary of Disclosure Requirements
Biographical Sketches must include all current positions and scientific appointments, both domestic and foreign, including affiliations with foreign entities or governments. This includes titled academic, professional, or institutional appointments, whether paid or unpaid, and whether full-time, part-time, or voluntary, including adjunct, visiting, and honorary appointments. See new instructions.
Other support includes all resources made available to a researcher in support of, and/or related to, all of their research endeavors, whether or not they have monetary value, and regardless of whether they are based at RU or another institution. See new Other Support Instructions, and prior OSPA guidance.
Important UPDATES for Biosketches
- Section B ‘Positions and Honors’ has been renamed ‘Positions, Scientific Appointments, and Honors’.
- For the non-Fellowship Biosketch, Section D has been removed.
- For the Fellowship Biosketch, Section D has been updated to remove ‘Research Support.’
- As applicable, all applicants may include details on ongoing and completed research projects from the past three years that they want to draw attention to within the personal statement, Section A.
- Try SciENcv to help you develop your biosketch and automatically format it according to NIH’s requirements.
Important NEW Requirements for Other Support
- All PD/PIs and other senior/key personnel must electronically sign the Other Support form prior to submission, certifying that the information is accurate and complete. This cannot be delegated to others.
- Researchers must personally certify the accuracy of the information provided. Administrators may not sign on the researchers’ behalf.
- The PI or lab/department must save and retain the original signed document so it can be retrieved if requested by the sponsor. Responsibility for this retention is left to the discretion of the PI and lab/department.
- A signed, flattened .pdf must be provided to OSPA for submission
- Acceptable methods for obtaining electronic signatures are Adobe Pro and DocuSign, or other signature platforms which provide date/time stamp capabilities. (RU IT recommends the two platforms listed above.)
- Researchers must provide NIH with foreign contracts, grants, or other agreements specific to the PD/PI or other senior/key personnel foreign appointments, affiliations, and/or employment with a foreign institution.
- Copies must be included as part of the .pdf following the Other Support format page
- Contracts/agreements/other documents that are not in English must be translated before being added to the Other Support. Google Translate or equivalent electronic tool is acceptable.
- These materials must be provided to OSPA as part of the JIT and/or RPPR package.
- PI/lab must obtain the same Other Support and non-US supporting documentation from any subaward PD/PIs and subaward key personnel.
- RPPR other support and JIT other support are now in the same formats. See the FAQs on NIH’s website.
