Overview
NIH and AHRQ will require the Biographical Sketch Common Form, the Current and Pending (Other) Support Common Form, and a new NIH Biographical Sketch Supplement for all applications, Just-in-Time (JIT), RPPRs, and Prior Approval submissions on or after January 25, 2026.
Beginning with due dates on or after January 25, 2025, failure to follow the appropriate formats may cause NIH to withdrawal applications or delay consideration for funding.
UCSF Other Support Page includes changes for submissions on or after January 25, 2025.
Final forms are anticipated release the week of December 15 2025.
In communication from NIH OPERA, the SciENcv team has confirmed that Preview versions of the Common Forms will automatically convert to the Official versions once they are released next week. No additional action will be required for users who have already started working in a Preview version.
Staff and investigators may therefore begin entering Biographical Sketch information using the Preview Common Form, and it will be converted automatically when the Official version becomes available.
Alternatively, users may continue to prepare their Biosketch using the current NIH Biosketch format in SciENcv and convert it to the new Common Form after release. The current NIH Biosketch format will remain accessible for a limited time to allow for this transition before it is eventually archived.
Key Changes in Biosketch
- All senior/key personnel on federally funded research projects must now use the Biographical Sketch Common Form and the NIH Biographical Sketch Supplement.
- These two forms are completed together in SciENcv, which produces one certified PDF for submission.
- Section D: Scholastic Performance (formerly required for fellowships) has been eliminated and will no longer be accepted.
- The combined Biosketch + Supplement no longer has a page limit, though certain sections have character limits.
| January 24, 2026 and earlier submissions: Biosketch | On or after January 25, 2026 submissions: Biographical Sketch Common Form | On or after January 25, 2026 submissions: NIH Biographical Sketch Supplement |
|---|---|---|
| Education/Training | Professional Preparation | Not applicable |
| A. Personal Statement Narrative with up to 4 cited products. | Products “Products Most Closely Related to the Proposed Project” (up to 5 citations). | Personal Statement No citations allowed. Narrative (limit 3,500 characters) that may refer to products listed in the Products Most Closely Related to the Proposed Project section of the Biographical Sketch Common Form. |
| B. Positions, Scientific Appointments, and Honors | Appointments and Positions All domestic and foreign professional appointments and positions outside the primary organization for up to three years prior to application. | Honors Limited to no more than 15 entries. |
| C. Contributions to Science Up to 5 contributions, each with narrative and up to 4 cited products. | Products Up to 5 “Other Significant Products” that highlight the individual’s contributions to science. Narrative detail is moved to the Supplement. | Contributions to Science No citations allowed. Up to 5 narrative contributions (each limited to 2,000 characters). May refer to relevant products listed in the “Other Significant Products” section of the Biographical Sketch Common Form. |
UCSF Biosketch Resources
- RA Town Hall (December 17, 2025)
- PowerPoint Presentation will be linked when available
- Relevant NIH Notices
- NOT-OD-26-018 - NIH’s Implementation of Common Forms for Biographical Sketch and Current and Pending (Other) Support for Due Dates on or after January 25, 2026
- NOT-OD 25-152 Preview of NIH Common Forms for Biographical Sketch and Current and Pending (Other) Support in SciENcv
Resources
- Preview templates are available now in SciENcv.
- Additional resources, including training videos, will be posted on Common Forms for Biographical Sketch and Current and Pending (Other) Support as they become available.
- NOT-OD-26-018 also includes Reminders and Tips for SciENcv and Reminders and Tips for eRA Commons .
- Delegation in SciENcv is optional and intended for department or research administrators who assist with Other Support or Biosketch preparation. Delegates have edit access to SciENcv documents, so delegation should be assigned intentionally. The MyNCBI help website provides steps to access Account Settings and to add/remove a delegate.
UCSF Resources
Sponsor Resources
Updated 12.16.2025