HOME / FACULTY DISCLOSURES / OTHER SUPPORT & BIOSKETCHES /

NIH Submissions

New Disclosure Guidelines for NIH Submissions due on or after January 25, 2022

 

Over the past year, NIH has posted three notices (NOT-OD-21-073, NOT-OD-21-107, NOT-OD-21-110) that update its submission requirements and Grants Policy Statement. Harvard University’s process for NIH submissions has been updated to align with the new requirements and NDAA Section 223 and the NSPM 33, two documents that outline changes in federal research guidelines that aim to enhance national security, research integrity, safety and productivity within the research environment, and reducing the administrative burden on federal grantees.

 
Page Contents:
 

NIH Pre-award and Post-award Disclosures Summary Chart

Type of Activity

Biographical Sketch

Other Support

Annual Project Reports

Post-Award Information Terms & Condition

Professional preparation (e.g., educational degrees)

X

 

 

 

Organizational Affiliations and Appointments

X

 

 

 

Academic, professional, or institutional appointments, whether or not remuneration is received, and whether full-time, part-time, or voluntary

X

 

 

 

All projects currently under consideration from whatever source, and all ongoing projects, irrespective of whether support is provided through the proposing organization, another organization or directly to the individual, and regardless of whether or not they have monetary value (e.g., even if the support received is in-kind such as office/laboratory space, equipment, supplies, or employees.)

 

X

X

X

Current or pending participation in, or applications to, programs sponsored by foreign governments, instrumentalities, or entities, including foreign government-sponsored talent recruitment programs.

X

(Appropriate placement may be contract-dependent)

 

 

In-kind contributions not intended for use on the project/proposal being proposed.

 

X

X

X

Visiting Scholars in Labs funded by an external entity

 

X

 

X

Students and postdoctoral researchers funded by an external entity

 

X

X

X

Consulting that falls outside of an individual’s appointment; separate from institution’s agreement.

 

X

X

X

Travel supported/paid by an external entity to perform research activities with an associated time commitment

 

X

X

X

 

 

Biosketch (at Proposal Stage)

General

A biosketch is a streamlined version of your CV (curriculum vitae) requested by most funding agencies and institutions. NIH requires them in both competing applications and progress reports. Find instructions, blank format pages, and sample biosketches below.

Note: Non-federal sponsors may have different CV/biosketch requirements listed in their FOA

 

Instructions

The biosketch format page has been updated for application and RPPR submissions due dates on/after January 25, 2022 (See NOT-OD-21-073 / NOT-OD-21-110 for specific changes and details)

 

SciENcv

Use of SciENcv is strongly encouraged to develop your biosketch and automatically format it according to NIH requirements. For assistance with SciENcv, refer to the instructional videos available on HTP that include:

 

Templates

Blank Templates:  

Sample Templates:

 

FAQs

NIH:

Harvard University:

 

Additional Information

NIH:

Harvard University:

 

Section A: Personal Statement

  • Briefly describe why you are well-suited for your role(s) in this project. Relevant factors may include: aspects of your training; your previous experimental work on this specific topic or related topics; your technical expertise; your collaborators or scientific environment; and/or your past performance in this or related fields, including ongoing and completed research projects from the past three years that you want to draw attention to (previously known as research support).
  • May cite up to four (4) publications or research products that highlight the investigator’s experience and qualifications for the proposed project.  
  • Allowed to cite interim research products. Note: interim research products have specific citation requirements. See related Frequently Asked Questions for more information.

Note: A full copy of the updated Biosketch instructions can be found here. Specific changes are above, in bold italics.

Instructions & Changes

Section B: Positions, Scientific Appointments, and Honors

  • Section B has been renamed ‘Positions, Scientific Appointments, and Honors.’ NIH requires you to list in reverse chronological order the following, whether or not remuneration is received and whether full-time, part-time, or voluntary (including adjunct, visiting, or honorary):
    1. All positions, both domestic and foreign
    2. All scientific appointments, both domestic and foreign
    3. All affiliations with foreign entities or governments
    4. All titled academic, professional, or institutional appointments
    5. Any relevant academic and professional achievements and honors
  • High school students and undergraduates may include any previous positions. For individuals who are not currently located at the applicant organization, include the expected position at the applicant organization and the expected start date.

Note: A full copy of the updated Biosketch instructions can be found here. Specific changes are above, in bold italics.

Instructions & Changes

Section C: Contributions to Science

  • Briefly describe up to five of your most significant contributions to science. The description of each contribution should be no longer than one half page, including citations.
  • While all applicants may describe up to five contributions, graduate students, and postdoctorates may wish to consider highlighting two or three they consider most significant.

Note: A full copy of the updated Biosketch instructions can be found here. Specific changes are above, in bold italics.

Instructions [NO Changes]

Section D: Research Support

Non-Fellowships:

  • With the reorganization of Research Support to Section A, Section D has been removed for the non-fellowship biosketches

Fellowships:

  • Section D has been reduced to Scholastic Performance and is solely present on the fellowship version of the biosketch
  • Predoctoral applicants/candidates (including undergraduates and post-baccalaureates): List by institution and year all undergraduate and graduate courses, with grades. In addition, explain any grading system used if it differs from a 1-100 scale; an A, B, C, D, F system; or a 0-4.0 scale. Also indicate the levels required for a passing grade.
  • Postdoctoral applicants: List by institution and year all graduate scientific and/or professional courses with grades. In addition, explain any grading system used if it differs from a 1-100 scale; an A, B, C, D, F system; or a 0-4.0 scale. Also indicate the levels required for a passing grade.

Note: A full copy of the updated Biosketch instructions can be found here. Specific changes are above, in bold italics.

Instructions & Changes

 

Preparation of Agreements for Other Support (at Proposal Stage)

Preparing and uploading your agreements ahead of time will facilitate and expedite the submission of your Other Support for Just-in-Time and RPPR

  1. Locate and compile contracts or agreements with a foreign organization, government, or individual (excepting sponsored agreements that are in GMAS) for any of the following
    • An appointment, affiliation, or employment.
    • Providing support for individual’s research;
    • Conducting research as part of consulting;
  2. To help identify which contracts need to be submitted as supporting documentation. Refer to
  3. Retain these agreements (a copy of the original document as well as the English translation). Further guidance will be provided on this page on the appropriate steps for deposition into GMAS.
 

Other Support (at JIT and RPPR Stages)

  1. Changes to Other Support include reorganization of the format page, electronic signatures, and supporting documentation for foreign activities and resources.  Additional details can be found on the NIH Other Support website including changes to the Other Support form (rev 12/2020), as well as instructions and FAQs.
  2. For further guidance use the following Harvard documents: Other Support Template, Other Support Guide, and FAQs for the new changes effective January 25, 2022.
  3. Consulting activities when research is conducted as part of the consultation must be included in Other Support.  For more information, see NIH Other Support FAQ 4.
  4. An electronic signature is required for each PI or Key Personnel to certify that their Other Support form is complete and accurate.  This signature may not be delegated to an administrator, lab member, or Grant Manager.
  5. Supporting documentation for foreign activities and resources that are reported in Other Support must be attached to the submitted application. This includes:
    • unredacted copies of contracts, grants, or any other agreements specific to foreign appointments and/or employment of PI or Key Personnel.
    • An English translation must also be provided if the original document is in a foreign language.
    • Non-certified translations as well as machine read translations, such as Google Translate are acceptable for submission to NIH, see NIH Other Support FAQ 6.
See also: Faculty Resources