Science Experts Network Curriculum Vitae (SciENcv) and NIH’s Implementation of the Common Forms

Common Forms are the templates being adopted by federal agencies for both Biographical Sketch and Current and Pending (Other) Support documents. NSF made use of the forms mandatory as of May 20, 2024; NIH will mandate usage beginning May 25,2025.

The Science Experts Network Curriculum Vitae (SciENcv) web platform must be used to complete the Common Forms and NIH Biographical Sketch Supplement. SciENcv should simplify and clarify the completion of these forms. It will also allow investigators to store their in-kind support information that is not currently centrally captured in a Yale system. See more information on what must be disclosed to federal agencies.

What do I need to know when applying for NIH supported research and reporting on progress?

• The Common Forms being implemented will replace the NIH Biosketch and Other Support format pages.
• The Biographical Sketch Common Form will collect much of the same information that is included in current format pages. However, fields focused on the Personal Statement, Contributions to Science, and Honors will now be collected through a separate new NIH Biographical Sketch Supplement to assess qualifications.
• The new Current and Pending (Other) Support Common Form will be mandatory for all Just In Time (JIT) requests, as well as when required for proposals and RPPR (progress report) submissions.
• An ORCID ID must be provided in the persistent identifier section of the Common Form and linked to a Senior/Key Personnel’s eRA Commons Personal Profile. ORCID IDs are unique digital identifiers that help streamline biographical sketch development and allow better tracking of the professional accomplishments of NIH supported researchers. This is similar to the requirement announced in 2019 that trainees and fellows link their ORCID ID with their eRA profile.

Current Biosketch and Other Support format pages must still be used for NIH submissions through May 24, 2025. However, starting on May 25, 2025, NIH will require the use of the new Common Forms and SciENcv, and applications containing the older forms will not be accepted. Links to resources are listed below.

What should I do now?

• Create an ORCID ID now if you don’t already have one
• Update your eRA Commons profile
• Link your ORCID ID to your eRA Commons account
• Create your Biosketch in SciENcv
• Sign up for Instruction Sessions about NIH Common Forms Requirement

NIH anticipates releasing the Other Support Common Form in SciENcv on March 25, 2025 to begin developing Other Support for use on applications on or after May 25, 2025.