Create Biosketches
Along with any principal investigators, include a biographical sketch with research support information for everyone you designate as senior/key personnel or other significant contributors (OSCs). This includes consultants and technical staff with senior/key personnel or OSC designations, even if they are not paid a salary from the grant. OSCs who contribute at least one person month or more effort must be designated as senior/key personnel.
Get the form and examples at NIH Biosketch Format Pages, Instructions and Samples. Attach the biographical sketches to the Senior/Key Person Profile form.
How Reviewers Use Biographical Sketches
Reviewers check carefully to see whether the PI and others have enough experience with the techniques to execute the Research Plan. The personal statement and contributions to science can be big factors in how you rate on the Investigator review criterion.
Reviewers will check that you have asked for an appropriate number of people, amount of time, and level of expertise to conduct the research.
How to Create a Strong Biographical Sketch
Make Your Personal Statement Shine
Don't skimp on this key section of the biosketch. Your personal statement can be a big factor in how you the PI rate on the Investigator review criterion.
All key personnel's biosketches have a personal statement too, which must explicitly state how their experience qualifies them for their role on your project, including relevant education, expertise, and accomplishments.
Imminent Promotion?
Are you slated for an important promotion, for example, to assistant professor? Include the date it is scheduled to happen in the personal statement of your biosketch. While NIH does not require any particular title, your status may affect how reviewers view your qualifications.
After submitting, you can inform the scientific review officer that the promotion took place up to 30 days before the meeting.
Carefully Choose Publications
Highlight your team's expertise by listing publications or manuscripts in press for each member.
Previous Step:
Checklist:
- My personal statement showcases my skills.
- I convince reviewers that I am the right person to lead the research.
- The other biosketches will convince reviewers that members of my team can all perform the roles I need them to play on the project.
- I highlight each person's accomplishments in the research support section.
- The publications I choose reveal my skills and those of my team.
- My biosketches are consistent with other parts of the application.
Have Questions?
A program officer in your area of science can give you application advice, NIAID's perspective on your research, and confirmation that NIAID will accept your application.
Find contacts and instructions at When to Contact a NIAID Program Officer.