Creating an NIH Biosketch requires meticulous attention to detail to ensure it meets the precise formatting and content requirements. A well-crafted biosketch is crucial for conveying your qualifications and the relevance of your work to your proposed research.

Here's a detailed guide to help you follow the NIH biosketch format precisely, focusing on the most common format (general research grants, e.g., R01, R21, U01). Be aware that specific grant types (e.g., Fellowships, Career Development Awards [K-series]) might have slight variations, particularly in Section D or additional sections like E or F. Always refer to the specific FOA (Funding Opportunity Announcement) and the latest NIH Biosketch instructions for the most accurate and up-to-date information.

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NIH Biographical Sketch (Biosketch) Format Guide

Current Version: The NIH biosketch format was updated in 2021, and the current version (referred to as "FORMS-H" for submissions starting January 25, 2023) is what you should be using. This guide reflects that format.

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General Formatting Rules (Mandatory!)

• Page Limit: 5 pages maximum. This is strictly enforced.


• Font:


• Arial, Helvetica, Palatino Linotype, or Georgia typeface.


• A black font color must be used.


• Recommended Size: 11 points or larger. (A symbol font may be used to insert Greek letters or special characters; the symbol font face chosen must be 11 points or larger.)


• Margins:


• At least one-half inch (0.5 inch or 1.27 cm) on all four sides.


• Header:


• Your Name: Must appear at the top of every page.


• ORCID ID: Include your ORCID ID in the header (if you have one). Example: "Name: John Doe | ORCID ID: 0000-0001-2345-6789"


• Section Headings: Use the exact headings (A, B, C, D) as specified by NIH.


• File Format: Must be submitted as a PDF.

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Section-by-Section Breakdown

Name: [Your Full Name] | ORCID ID: [Your ORCID ID, if available]

e.g., Name: Jane A. Smith | ORCID ID: 0000-0001-2345-6789

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A. Personal Statement

• Purpose: To briefly describe why your experience and qualifications make you particularly well-suited for your role in the project. It should highlight your most significant research achievements and their relevance to the proposed research.


• Content Guidelines:


• Focus on Relevance: Explain how your scientific expertise, training, and experience align with the specific aims of the grant proposal.


• Career Goals (Optional but Recommended): Briefly mention your career goals, especially if they are furthered by the proposed research.


• Key Accomplishments: Summarize your most significant accomplishments, especially those relevant to the project.


• Max 4 Citations: You may cite up to four publications or research products (e.g., datasets, software, patents) that are most relevant to the project and exemplify your qualifications. These do not count towards the page limit for the entire biosketch if you link to a bibliography (see ORCID below).


• Specific Role: Clearly state your specific role in the proposed project (e.g., "As PI of this proposal," "As a Co-Investigator responsible for Aim 2").


• Key Tips:


• Tailor it! This section MUST be customized for each grant application. Don't use a generic statement.


• Concise and Engaging: Get straight to the point. This is your "elevator pitch."


• Strong Opening: Start with a strong statement linking your expertise to the project.


• Avoid Redundancy: Don't repeat full details from C. Contributions to Science.


• Example Structure:

"My research expertise lies in [specific area, e.g., viral immunology and vaccine development], with a particular focus on [sub-area, e.g., novel adjuvants for RNA vaccines]. My extensive experience in [technique 1] and [technique 2] makes me uniquely qualified to lead Aim 1 of this proposal, which seeks to [specific goal from grant]. My prior work has demonstrated [key finding from your past research, citations 1, 2] and established [another key finding, citations 3, 4]. This background directly informs my approach to [specific aspect of the proposed research] and will ensure the successful execution of this project."

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B. Positions, Scientific Appointments, and Honors

• Purpose: To provide a chronological record of your academic and professional career, demonstrating your progression and recognition.


• Content Guidelines:


• Education: List degrees (e.g., B.S., M.S., Ph.D., M.D.), institutions, and dates.


• Positions: List all academic, scientific, or professional positions, in reverse chronological order (most recent first). Include start and end dates.


• Honors and Awards: List significant awards, recognitions, elected memberships in professional societies, and scholarships. You can include major grants or fellowships if they are honors (e.g., NIH Pathway to Independence Award, HHMI Investigator).


• Key Tips:


• Clarity: Use clear, official titles for positions.


• Completeness: Include all relevant positions, even if short-term.


• Distinction: Make sure awards listed here are distinct from specific research grants (which might be in Section D for some biosketch types, but generally not the main focus here).


• Example Structure:


• Education


• 2010 Ph.D., Molecular Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA


• 2005 B.S., Biochemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA


• Positions, Scientific Appointments, and Honors


• 2020-Present: Associate Professor, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of X, City, State


• 2015-2020: Assistant Professor, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of X, City, State


• 2012-2015: Postdoctoral Fellow, Lab of Dr. B, The Salk Institute, La Jolla, CA


• 2010-2012: Postdoctoral Scholar, Lab of Dr. A, Stanford University, Stanford, CA


• Honors:


• 2021: Fellow, American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)


• 2018: NIH K99/R00 Pathway to Independence Award


• 2011: Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (F32)

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C. Contributions to Science

• Purpose: To describe your most significant contributions to science, providing context, specific findings, and their impact.


• Content Guidelines:


• Max 5 Contributions: You are limited to five distinct contributions. If you have more, choose the five most impactful and relevant to your scientific career and the current proposal.


• Narrative for Each: For each contribution, provide a concise narrative (a paragraph, typically 4-8 sentences) that:


• Describes the historical background that frames the scientific problem.


• States your specific contribution(s) to addressing the problem.


• Summarizes the key findings and their significance.


• Explains the influence of your findings on the field or how they have changed scientific paradigms.


• Up to 4 Citations Per Contribution: For each contribution, cite up to four of your most relevant peer-reviewed publications or research products (e.g., datasets, software, patents, preprints).


• ORCID Link (Required): At the end of this section, provide a link to your complete list of published work as found in a publicly available digital database (e.g., MyBibliography, ORCID profile, Google Scholar). This link is mandatory.


• Key Tips:


• Tell a Story: Each contribution should tell a mini-story about a problem, your role in solving it, and the impact of that solution.


• Focus on Impact: Don't just list papers; explain why your work matters.


• Active Voice: Use active verbs to describe your actions and findings.


• Group Related Work: If you have multiple papers on a very similar topic, group them under one contribution.


• Tailor: Emphasize contributions that are most relevant to the proposed research.


• Example Structure:

Contribution 1: Elucidating the Pathogenesis of Alzheimer's Disease through Novel Imaging Techniques.
"Prior to my work, the early stages of Alzheimer's disease (AD) were difficult to visualize non-invasively, hindering understanding of disease progression. My research team developed a novel PET imaging tracer that allowed for the detection of amyloid plaques and tau tangles in vivo decades before clinical symptoms. This breakthrough provided critical insights into the sequence of pathological events in AD, demonstrating that tauopathy often precedes amyloid aggregation in specific brain regions. Our findings have significantly impacted the design of clinical trials for early AD intervention and laid the groundwork for precision diagnostics.

• Smith, J. A., et al. (2018). Nature Medicine, 24(7), 1001-1009.


• Smith, J. A., et al. (2020). Annals of Neurology, 87(3), 450-462."

Contribution 2: Development of CRISPR-based Gene Editing Tools for Therapeutic Applications.
... (continue with narrative and up to 4 citations) ...

Link to MyBibliography (or ORCID):
"See full list of my published work: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/myncbi/jane.smith.1/bibliography/public/ OR https://orcid.org/0000-0001-2345-6789/"

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D. Scholastic Honors and Professional Memberships / Synergistic Activities

• Purpose: This section showcases either your academic achievements (for early career researchers) or your broader impact and service to the scientific community (for more established researchers).


• Content Guidelines:


• Choose ONE heading: You will typically use either "Scholastic Honors and Professional Memberships" OR "Synergistic Activities" based on your career stage and the specific FOA requirements.


• Scholastic Honors and Professional Memberships:


• Primarily for early career researchers (e.g., graduate students, postdocs, junior faculty on K awards).


• List academic honors, scholarships, Dean's List, honor society memberships (e.g., Phi Beta Kappa), and memberships in relevant professional organizations.


• Synergistic Activities:


• Primarily for established investigators (e.g., PI on R-level grants, senior faculty).


• List up to five examples that demonstrate your broader impact and contributions to the scientific community and beyond. Examples include:


• Mentorship activities (e.g., specific students/postdocs mentored to faculty positions).


• Peer review service (e.g., NIH study section membership, journal editorial board).


• Development of research resources (e.g., unique animal models, software, databases shared with the scientific community).


• Major invited lectures or presentations.


• Leadership roles in scientific organizations or committees.


• Public outreach or policy advisory roles related to your science.


• Key Tips:


• Be Strategic: Choose the section that best highlights your strengths for the specific application.


• Quantify if Possible: For synergistic activities, give specific examples (e.g., "Mentored 3 postdocs who are now independent faculty").


• Avoid Redundancy: Don't repeat honors already listed in Section B.


• Example Structure (Scholastic Honors):


• D. Scholastic Honors and Professional Memberships


• 2005: Magna Cum Laude, MIT


• 2005: Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society


• 2010: Outstanding Graduate Student Award, UC Berkeley


• 2015-Present: Member, American Society for Cell Biology


• 2018-Present: Member, Society for Neuroscience


• Example Structure (Synergistic Activities):


• D. Synergistic Activities


• 1. Mentorship: Served as primary mentor for 5 Ph.D. students and 3 postdoctoral fellows, all of whom have successfully transitioned to independent research careers.


• 2. Peer Review: Member of NIH study section [Study Section Name] (2018-2022); Editorial Board, Journal of X (2019-Present).


• 3. Resource Development: Developed and disseminated open-source software, "BioAnalyzer 2.0," which has been downloaded over 5,000 times globally for high-throughput data analysis.


• 4. Public Outreach: Invited speaker at multiple community science events and high school programs, promoting STEM education.


• 5. Scientific Leadership: Co-chair of the [Society Name] Annual Meeting Program Committee (2020, 2022).

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Important Considerations & Best Practices:

• Start Early: Compiling a comprehensive and tailored biosketch takes time.


• Review NIH Instructions: Always download and review the latest official NIH Biosketch instructions for the specific application (found in the FOA and on the NIH website under "How to Apply - Application Guide"). Instructions can change.


• Tailor, Tailor, Tailor: Every section, especially A and C, should be specifically tailored to the grant you are applying for. Highlight experience and publications most relevant to the proposed research.


• Proofread Meticulously: Typos and grammatical errors undermine your professionalism. Have multiple people proofread it.


• Ask for Feedback: Share your biosketch with your mentor, PI, or colleagues for constructive criticism.


• Maintain a Master Version: Keep a comprehensive master biosketch that you can draw from for various applications, then customize as needed.


• ORCID is Key: Ensure your ORCID profile is up-to-date and comprehensive, as it's directly linked from your biosketch. MyBibliography is also highly recommended.


• Be Specific: Instead of "I have strong experience in X," say "My research in X led to Y and Z."

By following these guidelines precisely, you will create an NIH Biosketch that is not only compliant but also effectively showcases your qualifications and scientific contributions. Good luck!