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Common Form Requirements
Page Updated: December 17, 2025
Overview
Federal agencies will be adopting the use of Common Forms for Biosketches and Current and Pending Support documents (for additional information see links to notices in the Tools and References section below). Implementation is in response to a presidential memorandum and will eventually roll out broadly. Presently, NSF and USDA forms are available in SciENcv and NIH will implement use of the Common Forms for all submissions on or after January 25, 2026. This session introduces users to key concepts to begin preparing Common Forms through SciENcv, as well as navigate systems affiliated with document preparation.
After attending this session, learners will be able to:
- Understand what the update to Common Forms means and how this affects proposal components.
- Navigate account setup for ORCiD and SciENcv platforms.
- Initiate creation of a Biosketch and Current and Pending Support document in SciENcv.
Presentations
RED Hot Topic - Common Form Requirements
| Session Recording | RED Learning Video (10/22/2025 - length 1 hr 46 min) |
| Documents |
PowerPoint Slides SciENcv ORCID ID Connection Steps SciENcv Step-by-Step Instructions NCBI How To Delegate and Add ORCID ID |
Tools and References
Links to tools and references that can assist you:
- NIH Biographical Sketch: Once live, certified form required for each proposed senior/key personnel and OSC
- Note there is a separate format for Fellowship applications
- NSF Biographical Sketch format for NSF proposal submissions.
- NCBI training for building biosketch
- UW-Madison Libraries Page for SciENcv/Biosketches
- Office of Training Grant Support videos
- RSP on Other Support
- For DOJ submission questions please contact Annie Studer
- NCURA Webinar: Tips & Tools for Preparing Investigator Disclosures (Biosketches, Current & Pending)
- NIH's Implementation of Common Forms for Biographical Sketch and Current and Pending (Other) Support for Due Dates on or after January 25, 2026
- NIH Announces a New Policy Requirement to Train Senior/Key Personnel on Other Support Disclosure Requirements
Frequently Asked Questions
SciENcv & CPOS
Will PI be able to use NSF CPOS doc to create NIH CPOS?
Yes. PIs can use existing SciENcv documents as templates when generating new documents on different forms. The system highlights sections needing updates for Common Form formats.
Will it be necessary to have separate NSF and NIH CPOS versions?
The PI will only need one instance of SciENcv to create any of the implemented Common Forms. A PI can use a single SciENcv profile linked to eRA Commons and ORCID to generate any format (USDA, NIH, NSF, etc.).The CPOS are different in format so they will need a separate NSF and NIH version but they can be saved in the same profile.
Will we have access to the documents the PIs initiate?
Yes.
Is there a way to see if a PI has created multiple SciENcv instances?
Unless the PI has delegated you to multiple accounts, there is no way to verify how many MyNCBI instances they have created.
Who do we contact to merge accounts?
Contact MyNCBI support
Formatting & Compliance
Does SciENcv create the doc in NIH-required font/type/size?
Yes, it exports in the correct format.
Will it allow more than 4 entries?
No, the system enforces a limit of 4.
Do citations need to be entered in both MyNCBI and ORCID?
MyNCBI links to PubMed citations, so those do not need to be entered separately. Only non-PubMed publications need to be added to ORCID.
Can Markdown formatting be used in personal statements?
Yes. A cheat sheet can be found here.
Certification & Downloading
Can a delegate download a certified SciENcv document?
Yes, but only after the PI completes certifications.
Is there a way to be notified when a PI certifies a document?
Currently, there is no automatic notification— the PI must inform you.
Other Support & NIH Common Forms
Can you use a Word document for OS until NIH Common Form goes live?
Yes.
Do other support entries carry over between sponsors (e.g., DOD to NIH)?
SciENcv supports multiple formats. Users can generate new drafts of CPOS and biosketches and use prior templates from other sponsors to fill in part of the information. We cannot confirm at this time if the integration is fully 1:1.
Is XML the only option for uploading OS info?
XML is currently the only bulk import option. OS item can also be entered individually manually.
When will NIH Common Forms go into effect?
Per NIH NOT-OD-26-018 published on Dec 2, 2025, use of the Common Forms for Biographical Sketch, Current and Pending (Other) Support and NIH Biographical Sketch Supplement will be required for application due dates and all JIT, RPPR, and Prior Approval submissions on or after January 25, 2026.
Do certifications cover Privacy Statement and Burden Act requirements?
Yes.