On April 28, 2021, the NIH released "Implementation of Changes to the Biographical Sketch and Other Support Format Page" (NOT-OD-21-110). In summary:
- Effective May 25, 2021, the NIH expects applicants and recipients to use the updated biosketch and other support formats for applications, Research Performance Progress Reports (RPPR), and Just-in-Time (JIT) Reports. Immediate use of the updated format is preferred but not required until January 25, 2022.
- Effective January 25, 2022, the NIH will require the use of the updated formats for any submissions on or after January 25, 2022 (or anything with a due date on or after that date). Failure to follow the appropriate formats on or after January 25, 2022, may cause an application to be withdrawn from or delay consideration of funding by the NIH.
On March 12, 2021, NIH provided detailed information on the updated biosketch and other support formats in NOT-OD-21-073. It is critical for all NIH applicants and awardees, including PIs, senior/key personnel, and grants administrators, to read it in its entirety.
Additional information can be found below. We recommend that you bookmark these pages and begin to update your biosketch and other support.
Note that NIH is now requiring PIs and senior/key personnel to electronically certify that their Other Support information is true, complete and accurate to the best of their knowledge. ORA’s preferred electronic signatures for Other Support forms are Adobe Sign or DocuSign. If other electronic signatures are used, they must be verified signatures with a digital ID.
Each senior/key personnel must electronically sign their respective NIH Other Support form. The version with the original electronic signature will need to be retained by the department, to be made available to NIH and/or ORA upon request. ORA will only keep the final flattened versions on file as part of the submission package and cannot serve as the central repository for the original signed copies of the Other Support.
Additional Information and Guidance
- ORA/VPR NIH Other Support and Biographical Sketch Webinars.
- The following FAQs related to the NIH Other Support format pages were collected from researchers and administrators at OUHSC. They are meant to supplement NIH's FAQs. Please refer to NIH’s websites for additional information and guidance on this topic.
NIH Other Support Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) (PDF)
Updated: April 17, 2023