Update 5/26/20: NSF has made the decision to delay the requirement to use NSF-approved formats for the biosketch and current and pending support sections of NSF proposals until October 1, 2020. However, we do encourage research teams to begin using these new formats before this date and provide any feedback that we can pass along to NSF as they work to enhance them for future implementation.
Original Announcement:
The National Science Foundation has announced new changes to the Biographical Sketch and Current and Pending sections of NSF proposals. 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.
Although use of an NSF-approved format for submission of these proposal sections is not required until implementation on June 1, 2020, NSF is encouraging proposers to begin using the NSF-approved formats now. Use of an NSF-approved format aims to reduce administrative burden and improve efficiencies by providing proposers with a compliant and reusable way to maintain this information for subsequent proposal submissions to NSF, while also ensuring that the information is submitted in a standard and searchable composition.
The new 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.
Do you have questions or concerns?
Although not required for proposal submission until June 1, 2020, we hope that you will start using the NSF-approved formats for Biographical Sketch and Current and Pending Support as soon as possible. If you have any questions or concerns about implementing the two formats into NCSA proposals, please contact Janessa Gentry (janessag@illinois.edu).
Do you need informational 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
- 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