Update on Linking ORCID To Implement Persistent Identifier Requirements While Reducing Burden and Improving Transparency

November 12, 2024

In 2017, we announced that eRA Commons would establish a real-time link with ORCID (Open Researcher and Contributor Identification), a non-profit organization that assigns persistent identifiers to scientists and their research. Since that time, we have observed a dramatic increase in the number of NIH supported investigators with an NIH account linked to their ORCID iD.

New Federal Common Disclosure Forms Strengthen Integrity and Security of NIH-Funded Research

September 17, 2024

These Common Disclosure Forms for the Biographical Sketch and Current and Pending (Other) Support aim to standardize disclosure requirements and processes across federal research agencies, with the goal of reducing the time and effort researchers spend providing disclosure information to federal funders and ensuring integrity throughout the research process.

Do I Need To Provide All or Just Current Positions and Scientific Appointments on My Biosketch?

January 31, 2022

In biosketch section B. Positions, Scientific Appointments, and Honors  you must list in reverse chronological order 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 or not remuneration is received, and whether full-time, part-time, or voluntary (including adjunct, visiting, or honorary). You are not required to list previous positions or other historical information.

NIH Pre- and Post-Award Disclosures

January 11, 2022

Not sure whether a particular activity should be reported in the biosketch, other support, or annual project reports? Check out this new resource – NIH Pre-award and Post-award Disclosures Relating to the Biographical Sketch and Other Support.

Additional Clarifications to Biosketch and Other Support Policies Now Available

August 2, 2021

Although not required until January 2022, more and more applicants and recipients are following our advice and transitioning now to the updated formats and instructions for biosketch and other support documents. As a result, we’ve received a number of requests for additional clarification to our policies. We’ve updated and added FAQs, posted clarified instructions, and adjusted our other support sample document in response.

Updated Biographical Sketch and Other Support Format Pages Available Now and Required January 2022

May 5, 2021

As announced in March, updated biosketch and other support format pages and instructions are available for use in applications, Just-in-Time (JIT) Reports, and Research Performance Progress Reports (RPPRs). Use of the new format pages is preferred immediately and required for due dates and submissions on or after January 25, 2022. This represents a change from the original May 25, 2021 requirement date for the updated formats and other support signatures. Applicants and recipients can use this time to align their systems and processes with the new formats and instructions. Failure to follow the appropriate formats on or after January 25, 2022 may cause NIH to withdraw applications from or delay consideration of funding.

Looking for Help Developing Your Biosketch?

April 2, 2019

The biosketch provides an opportunity for each senior/key person listed in an NIH grant application to describe why they are well-suited for their role(s) in the project through a personal statement and cite publications/ research products, among other things.

Teaming with ORCID to Reduce Burden and Improve Transparency

November 15, 2017

As you know, our NIH Strategic Plan articulated an objective to “excel as a federal science agency by managing for results,” and to manage by results we must harness the power of data to drive evidence-based policies. Sometimes, however, our world can be complicated by requirements to enter the same types of data over and over again in one system after another. These situations do have an upside: they provide us the opportunity to look for opportunities to simplify.