The National Science Foundation (NSF) has prepared new formats for the BioSketch and the Current and Pending Support sections. While these new formats are not required for submission until June 1, 2020, you are encouraged to start using the new formats immediately.

The proposals fall under the revised Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG) (NSF 20-1) (see the February 6, 2020 webinar for complete details on all revisions to the PAPPG).

Beginning June 1, 2020, proposers will be required to use one of the NSF-approved formats for both the Biographical Sketch and Current and Pending Support sections of NSF proposals. Proposals submitted via FastLane, Research.gov and Grants.gov will be compliance-checked to ensure that the documents were prepared in accordance with this new policy.

NSF-approved Formats

• SciENcv: NSF has partnered with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to use SciENcv: Science Experts Network Curriculum Vitae as an NSF-approved format for use in preparation of both the Biographical Sketch and Current and Pending Support sections of an NSF proposal. SciENcv will produce an NSF-compliant PDF version of the documents which proposers can save and submit as part of their proposals via FastLane, Research.gov or Grants.gov. Additional information about the NSF-approved SciENcv formats is available on the NSF biographical sketch and current and pending support websites.

The SciENcv tool integrates with ORCID, enabling proposers to populate their Biographical Sketches by importing data directly from their ORCID records rather than having to manually enter all the required information. Additionally, Biographical Sketch data maintained in SciENcv can be quickly and easily updated on an ongoing basis for subsequent proposal submissions.

• NSF Fillable PDF: NSF is also providing a fillable PDF as an NSF-approved format for use to prepare both the Biographical Sketch and Current and Pending Support sections of an NSF proposal. Proposers can download the respective fillable PDF form from the NSF biographical sketch and current and pending support websites and then submit the completed forms as part of their proposals via FastLane, Research.gov or Grants.gov. Note that the NSF fillable PDF for the Biographical Sketch does not integrate with ORCID.

If You Wish to Provide Feedback

If you have any feedback that would help NSF make improvements to the two formats in the future, please submit by email to policy@nsf.gov or via the Research.gov Feedback page (select “Biographical Sketch” or "Current & Pending Support" under the Site Area dropdown menu).

Upcoming Webinars

To inform the community about these new requirements and to start using SciENcv now, NSF and NIH are planning to conduct a joint webinar that will include a walk-through of how to prepare the Biographical Sketch and Current and Pending Support documents in SciENcv. Information will be provided as soon as it is available, and you are encouraged to sign up for notifications. 

NSF invites you to participate in the next NSF Electronic Research Administration (ERA) Forum on May 14, 2020 at 1:00PM – 2:30PM EDT which will discuss the NSF-approved format requirements, as well as the new capability to prepare and submit separately submitted collaborative proposals in Research.gov. To sign up for ERA Forum notifications including registration availability for the May 14 event, please send a blank email to NSF-ERA-FORUM-subscribe-request@listserv.nsf.gov and you will be automatically enrolled.

Training Resources

The following training resources are now available, and NSF will continue to keep the community informed as additional resources are released.

Biographical Sketch Resources

• NSF-Approved Formats for the Biographical Sketch website
• SciENcv Guidance on Creating an NSF Biographical Sketch, including step-by-step instructions and screenshots for each of the four required sections (This is a subsection of the guidance at SciENcv Help.)
• YouTube Video - SciENcv for NSF Users: Biographical Sketches (This is a new video targeted to the NSF research community.)
• NSF PAPPG (NSF 20-1) webinar (recorded February 6, 2020)
• YouTube Video - SciENcv Tutorial
• YouTube Video - Integrating with ORCID
• FAQs on using NSF Fillable PDF

 Current and Pending Support Resources

• NSF-Approved Formats for Current and Pending Support website

• SciENcv Guidance on Creating an NSF Current and Pending Support document, including step-by-step instructions and screenshots for the two required sections (This is a subsection of the guidance at SciENcv Help.)
• NSF PAPPG (NSF 20-1) webinar (recorded February 6, 2020)
• FAQs addressing policy questions related to the PAPPG (NSF 20-1) clarifications to the current and pending support coverage, as well as questions regarding use of an NSF-approved format for current and pending support
• FAQs on using NSF Fillable PDF