The new NSF biographical sketch and current and pending support format requirement was delayed until October 5, 2020 to allow for adequate implementation and training. Based on feedback from the research community, NSF has made several improvements to the NSF-approved Biographical Sketch and Current and Pending Support forms required for all senior personnel included in a proposal.  In-depth Video Webinars covering the use of the NSF-approved formats are available on the NSF Policy Outreach website. 

Critical Change -> These forms are now part of the NSF Automated Compliance Checks starting 10/5/2020

• These forms must be in the applicable PDF file formats.
  • • Created either through SciENcv or NSF-provided PDF fillable form.
      • The new forms allow for automatic NSF system data-field population.
      • Any Word-to-PDF converted documents will not be compliant with NSF policy.    
• If they are not in the NSF-approved format, a system compliance error will be triggered and will prevent submission until corrected.
  • • This compliance submission check applies to all in progress or future:
      • Proposals submissions, Proposal file updates (PFU), Change of PI requests, Add/Change co-PI requests, and relevant RPPR progress reports.

Biographical Sketch Updates and MSU Library Support:

• MSU Libraries recently completed a guide on using SciENcv for biosketches - https://libguides.lib.msu.edu/sciencv. We recommend using SciENcv for both biosketches and current & pending form creation.
  • The guide is meant to provide guidance for both NIH and NSF biosketch requirements and is therefore general in some sections.
• SciENcv also allows users to automatically pull data from outside sources like NCBI's My Bibliography and ORCID to add publications and other accomplishments to biosketches.
• This guide covers the basics of creating a biosketch with SciENcv as well as how to add delegates and integrate your SciENcv account with an ORCID iD.
  • This is a useful reference tool for using SciENcv and some of the more frequently asked questions.
  • Please contact Ericka Weir if you have any questions or feedback on the guide, weirerik@msu.edu | 517-884-0907.
• NSF implemented the following improvements:
  • Permit use of “et al” for publication citations in the Products section if listing multiple authors.
  • Increased space for the Products section by removing instructional text.
  • Links added to relevant PAPPG sections.
  • Removed the requirement to include the NSF ID.
  • Added a version date to the document (NSF fillable PDF format form). 

Current and Pending Support Updates:

• For assistance with creating a Current and Pending Support form on SciENcv, see the SciENcv Help which includes step-by-step instructions, videos and screenshots for the two required sections (this is a subsection of the guidance at SciENcv Help).
  • Additional guidance on what to include on Current and Pending Support forms can be found on the Current and Pending / Other Support Requirements by Sponsor webpage. Also, the Current and Pending FAQs: https://www.research.gov/common/attachment/Desktop/NSFPDF-FAQs.pdf
  • NSF implemented the following improvements:
    • Increased the number of Project/Proposal entries from 10 to 15 to support most proposals submitted to NSF (NSF fillable PDF form).
    • Updated the Award Number field to allow entry of both numbers and letters.
    • Replaced the “Calendar Year” label with “Year” to be consistent with PAPPG guidance.
    • Removed the requirement to include the NSF ID.
    • Added a version date to the document (NSF fillable PDF form). 

Summary and Resources:

• Starting October 5, 2020, proposers will receive an error message from FastLane or Research.gov if they prepare documents in a non-approved format.
  • NSF requires Biographical Sketches and Current and Pending Support forms to be submitted using one of two approved formats; either through SciENcv or NSF’s PDF fillable form.
    •  We recommend using SciENcv for both biosketches and current & pending form creation.
    • https://www.nsf.gov/bfa/dias/policy/biosketch.jsp
    • https://www.nsf.gov/bfa/dias/policy/cps.jsp
• All other changes with the 20-1 PAPPG were implemented on June 1, 2020.
• If you have questions regarding the approved formats, please contact your OSP Proposal Team.  If you have any technical or IT system-related questions, please contact the NSF Help Desk at 1-800-673-6188 (7:00 AM - 9:00 PM ET; Monday - Friday except federal holidays) or via fastlane@nsf.gov.