Critical Components Series: Biosketches (for PI, Co-PI, and Senior Personnel)

A critical component of a successful NSF proposal is the Biosketch (for PI, Co-PIs and Senior Personnel)

Why Is This Document Critical?
This document specifically provides reviewers with your credentials that will help them evaluate whether you have the background, knowledge, and skills to perform the proposed research. The biosketch also helps identify your conflicts of interest.  Please note that Fastlane WILL NOT allow the submission of a proposal that is missing the required Biosketches.

Where Do I Upload This Document?
Fastlane has a specific place to upload biosketches appropriately labeled "Biosketches". 

Once in this form, there will be a place for each named PI, Co-PI, and Senior Personnel on the budget to upload their biosketch.  SOME solicitations (such at the i-Corps program) will not have named senior personnel on the budget; thus biosketches can be uploaded as one merged PDF under the PI's name.

What Tools and Resources are Available to Help Me Create This Document?
The Office of Sponsored Programs has an NSF specific webpage that provides an NSF Biosketch Template (right-hand side) to help with the development of an NSF biosketch.  Access to this template requires GT login.  Additionally, a checklist can serve PI's and departmental administrators with an additional resource to review and ensure complicit biosketches. (refer to email from 09/29/2015).

***Please note***  this template and checklist are based on the PAPPG 15-1.  Currently, the NSF is reviewing changes to the PAPPG for an expected release of version 16-1, effective January 25, 2016.  Documents will be revised at that time; however, proposals are expected to comply with 15-1 until then.

  Required Biosketch components/format:

1. Professional Preparation:  includes institution, location (city and state), major/area, degree, and year for undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral training
2. Appointments:  includes, in REVERSE chronological order academic and professional appointments without position descriptions, starting with current appointment
3.  Products:  up to and no more than 5 Most Closely Related and 5 Other Significant products
4. Synergistic Activities:  up to and no more than 5 synergistic activities
5. Collaborators/Co-editors:  listed in alphabetical order with current affiliation for those from the last 48 months, with TOTAL NUMBER indicated. If none, section should still be included with "None" or "N/A"
6. Graduate Advisor/Postdoctoral Sponsor:  listed with current affiliation, with TOTAL NUMBER indicated. If none, section should still be included with "None" or "N/A"
7. Graduate Students Advised/Postdoctoral Scholars Sponsored:  listed with current affiliation for those from the last 60 months, with TOTAL NUMBER indicated. If none, section should still be included with "None" or "N/A"
8. No longer than 2 pages and does not include additional information or sections beyond that specified in the PAPPG or solicitation

What about Collaborative Submissions?
"Simultaneous submission of proposals allows multiple organizations to submit a unified set of certain proposal sections, as well as information unique to each organization....Other sections must be submitted by each organization in the collaborative."  Biosketches are required from both lead and non-lead organizations in collaborative proposals.

 What Else Does the NSF Say about This Document?
"Inclusion of additional information beyond that specified may result in the proposal being returned without review."

This is especially important when it comes to sections like "Honors", "Awards", and "Research Interests".  The proposal guide does not ask for these sections and inclusion may result in a proposal being rejected without review.

"Do not submit any personal information in the biographical sketch. This includes items such as: home address; home telephone, fax, or cell phone numbers; home e-mail address; drivers’ license numbers; marital status; personal hobbies; and the like. Such personal information is not appropriate for the biographical sketch and is not relevant to the merits of the proposal. NSF is not responsible or in any way liable for the release of such material. (See also GPG Chapter III.H)."