This Notice is related to the implementation of NIH Notice NOT-OD-21-073 announcing changes to the Biosketch and Other Support format pages.
As of January 25, 2022, consistent with related notice NOT-OD-21-110, all Biosketch and Other Support forms must incorporate these changes or risk withdrawal of applications from or delayed consideration of funding. These changes are listed below and will primarily impact Applications, Just-in-Time, and Research Performance Progress Report (RPPR) submissions. There are no longer separate instructions for competing applications and the RPPR.
Principal Investigators with active NIH awards or who are considering NIH funding should familiarize themselves with these changes right away. SPA staff are available for questions and to clarify these reporting requirements.
Other Support
For submissions due on or after January 25, 2022, including RPPRs, a new format for NIH Other Support documents will incorporate the following changes:
- Each Senior/Key Person must electronically sign their Other Support form. The Other Support format has a new signature block. Each Principal Investigator and any other Senior/Key Personnel for which Other Support is required must certify the accuracy of the information submitted by electronically signing their respective Other Support forms as a PDF prior to submission.
- Other Support submissions must be submitted as a flattened PDF, after all signatures are obtained on all forms (see Format Attachments for more details). Per NIH, applicants may use the electronic signature software of their choice, and in alignment with their institutional practices. A typed name is not an electronic signature and is not acceptable.
- In line with NIU institutional practice, NIU Senior/Key Persons should use Adobe Sign to electronically sign their Other Support form. Those who need access to the proper Adobe software should contact their local IT administrator or email RIPS eRA Help for assistance. Plan early as it may take a few days to install the software.
- Each Senior/Key Person must provide copies of a) foreign contracts, b) foreign grants, and c) any other agreements specific to foreign appointments, affiliations, and/or employment with a foreign institution. English-language translations must be provided for any original documentation that is not in English.
- Senior/Key Persons should provide copies for any foreign activity or resource listed in their Other Support, including consulting, contracts, grants, appointments/affiliations, or any other types of agreements. Until NIH provides further guidance, SPA strongly recommends disclosing research and non-research related foreign consulting activities and providing copies of the agreements.
- All foreign documents (translated as necessary) should be combined and provided as a PDF following the Other Support form in Supporting Documentation.
- NIH has stated that machine-read translations of foreign contracts, grants or any other agreements are acceptable. Faculty and administrators may also want to keep the following in mind regarding translations:
- The American Translators Association, https://www.atanet.org/, provides a directory of language professionals, including translators.
- Translations done by a professional may take weeks to accomplish.
- Translation of legal documents may require a special skill set. A qualified translator may help to provide a neutral, accurate translation free of potential conflicts of interest.
Do not submit these copies without receiving prior SPA review.
- Immediately notify SPA of undisclosed Other Support. NIU now has a responsibility to immediately inform NIH of any undisclosed Other Support information that was missing from a proposal at Just-In-Time (JIT) or with an RPPR. If previously undisclosed Other Support information is identified, the PI should contact asosp@niu.edu right away.
- NIH’s Other Support format now separates funded projects from in-kind contributions.
- NIH is finalizing the SciENcv template for Other Support and anticipates that the template will be available beginning in federal fiscal year 2022.
- Additional resources:
- Additional details and resources can be found on NIH’s Other Support page.
- Additional general guidance from SPA for disclosing research support can be found on the SPA Forms and Policies page under Guidelines.
- Coming Soon: Creating an electronic signature with Adobe
Biosketches
For submissions due on or after January 25, 2022, the format for NIH biosketches will incorporate the following changes:
- List information in reverse chronological order in Section B (renamed ‘Positions, Scientific Appointments, and Honors’). Include:
- All positions, both domestic and foreign
- All scientific appointments (new requirement), both domestic and foreign
- All affiliations with any foreign entity
- All titled academic, professional, or institutional appointments:
- whether or not remuneration is received, and
- whether full-time, part-time, or voluntary (including adjunct, visiting, or honorary).
- If desired, highlight details for ongoing and completed research projects from the past three years within the Personal Statement, Section A.
- Section D ‘Research Support and/or Scholastic Performance’ has been removed, except for Fellowship biosketches.
- The updated SciENcv biosketch template was made available in March 2021. Investigators with an existing biosketch in SciENcv will be able to transfer their current biosketch information to the new format.
- Additional resources:
- Additional details and resources can be found on NIH’s Biosketch page.
