Biographical Sketches (biosketches) must be provided for the PI, and all persons included in the Key/Senior Person section of the grant application.  Although it is not required, DOE strongly recommends that applicants use the SciENcv format approved by the National Science Foundation (NSF). The SciENcv format can be generated on Science Experts Network Curriculum Vitae (SciENcv). However, any format that contains the required information is acceptable.  A sample biosketch to use as an example is also available for download. To adhere to this page restriction, only include the most relevant information to the proposed project.   

Do not include any sensitive or protected personally identifiable information including social security numbers, birthdates, citizenship, marital status, or home addresses.  Do not include information that a merit reviewer should not make use of or that is not relevant to the person’s position with respect to the proposed project.  

Biosketch Elements and Format 

Required Information 

Instructions 

Name 

Enter the name of the person, last name first, and include any applicable suffix. 

Position Title 

Enter the current position title of the person. 

Organization and Location 

  • Enter the name of the primary organization of the person. 
  • Enter the city, state/province, and country where the primary organization is located.  If the state/province is not applicable, enter N/A.  Indicate “virtual” if the project is not based in a physical location. 

Professional Preparation/Education & Training 

Provide a list of the person’s professional preparation (education and training), listed in reverse chronological order by star date.  Include all postdoctoral and fellowship training, as applicable, listing each separately.  Also include the baccalaureate degree or other initial professional education.  For each entry, provide: 

  • Name of the institution 
  • Location of the institution, including city, state/province, and country 
  • Degree received 
  • Month and year degree received, or expected receipt date 
  • Field of study (major/area) 

Appointments & Positions/Research & Professional Experience 

Provide a list, in reverse chronological order by start date, of all the person’s academic, professional, or institutional appointments and positions, beginning with the current appointment (including the associated organization and location).  Appointments and positions include titled academic, professional, or institutional position whether or not renumeration is received, and whether full-time, part-time, or voluntary (including adjunct, visiting, or honorary).  Individuals with private sector backgrounds are encouraged to apply as well. For those individuals with professional or private sector experience, be sure to include prior positions held that are relevant to the application and contribute to the research and development proposed in the application or your experience as an expert in the field. Include a brief description of each position.  For each position, provide: 

  • Start date: YYYY 
  • End date: YYYY 
  • Appointment or position title 
  • Name of organization or institution 
  • Department, if applicable 
  • Location of organization or institution 

Products/Publications 

Provide a list of up to 10 publications and/or products most closely related to the proposed project.   

  • For each publication, identify the names of all authors (in the same sequence in which they appear in the publication), the article title, book or journal title, volume number, page numbers, and year of publication.  Though not used for evaluation purposes, provide a website address if available electronically. 
  • Patents, copyrights, datasets, software systems, and other relevant products may also be included in this section.  Include the necessary identifying information, such as copyright dates, institutions, website urls, and any product collaborators.  

Synergistic Activities 

Provide a list of up to five professional and scholarly activities related to the proposed project and research.  Examples may include, among others: 

  • Innovations in teaching and training 
  • Contributions to the science of learning 
  • Development and/or refinement of research tools 
  • Computation methodologies and algorithms for problem-solving 
  • Development of databases to support research and education 
  • Participation in national or international research collaborations 

Helpful Tips: 

  • Biographical sketches are strongly encouraged to be generated using → Science Experts Network Curriculum Vitae (SciENcv)
  • Make sure that you begin collecting information for the biosketches early so that you can ensure the proper format and that the information is up to date.   
  • As the PI and other senior/key personnel may have lengthy resumes and/or CVs, be sure to include the most relevant information to the project when including information regarding professional experience, publications, and synergistic activities.  
  • While the biosketch template accommodates academic positions and appointments, at first glance it may not seem obvious of how to best utilize this form for private sector experience.  Applicants should include all positions including those in the private sector, other research projects (whether or not they were federally funded), websites, or any initiatives undertaken in their field that are relevant to the current application or an aspect of the current application.  Below we have provided a sample Biosketch of an individual with private sector experience.  

Phase 0 Resources: 

  • Phase 0 tutorial podcast:  What Format Should I Use for Biographical Sketches? → Click Here 
  • Phase 0 tutorial pdf:  What Format Should I Use for Biographical Sketches? → Click Here 

Blank & Sample Forms: 

  • A blank Biosketch template

  • Sample Biosketch - Private Sector

  • Sample Biosketch - Academia
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