What is an NIH biosketch?
An NIH biosketch is a short, structured CV the US National Institutes of Health requires in grant applications, highlighting your contributions to science and selected publications.
An NIH biosketch is a short, structured CV that the US National Institutes of Health requires in grant applications. It is typically limited to five pages and has set sections: education and training, positions and honours, an optional personal statement, and a "contributions to science" section that highlights a handful of contributions, each with up to four supporting publications.
Its structure is deliberate: rather than an exhaustive list, it asks you to tell the story of your most important contributions and their impact.
Biosketch vs a full academic CV
A biosketch is much shorter and more narrative than a full academic CV, and it follows NIH's specific format. The practical approach is to keep a complete CV and derive the biosketch from it for each application.
How SigmaCV helps
SigmaCV drafts an NIH-style biosketch from your ORCID and OpenAlex record: your publications are pulled in automatically, and you curate the contributions and selected publications before exporting.
Frequently asked questions
How long is an NIH biosketch?
Typically up to five pages. Always follow the current NIH instructions and forms for your specific funding opportunity.