Using the NCBI SciENcv application to generate NIH Biosketches in new format
Hermanie Pierre-Noel and Silvia Pulido, Ph.DUniversity of Central Florida
College of Nursing
What is a Biosketch?
The NIH Biosketch is used to standardize the information from a researcher’s CV and research
career, to make it easy for a reviewer to evaluate them.
How is a Biosketch used?Used as a credit score check, in practice – have
you been “productive” in researchDid you write grants? Were they funded?Did you use your time effectively and carry out the
work within the time frame of the grant?Did you use their money wisely and publish the
work from the grants?Are you creating a “niche” in your field? Is it filling a
void that is a funding priority?Are you a good long-term investment risk for
research?
The NIH biosketch format has changed, and our biosketches must comply with the new format
Researchers are asking, WHY the new format?
NIH believes that the new biosketch will:
offer reviewers a better picture of a researcher's accomplishments and capabilities
help illuminate the downstream effects of scientific discovery
http://nexus.od.nih.gov/all/2014/05/22/changes-to-the-biosketch/
What is different in the new NIH Biosketch format active
May 25, 2015
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-15-024.html#sthash.QnAMEKbY.dpuf
1. Page limit up from four to five pages.2. Include up to four publications in the Personal
Statement. “Contributions to Science” section. Up to five contributions allowed.The description of each contribution should be no longer than one half page including figures and citations.
3. Include up to four publications or other “work products” for each “contribution.”
4. Include a URL to list of published work. No “Selected List of Peer-reviewed Publications” section.
How does the New Biosketch format compare to the Old
format?
Old Biosketch format
A. PERSONAL STATEMENT
B. POSITIONS AND HONORS
Positions and Employment
Other Experience and Professional Memberships
C. SELECTED PEER-REVIEWED PUBLICATIONS
D. RESEARCH SUPPORT
New Biosketch format
A. Personal Statement (new focus)
B. Positions and Honors
C. Contribution to Science (new section with link to My Bibliography, online database of publications)
D. Research Support (last 3 years only)
NIH and AHRQ will require use of a new biosketch format in applications for research grants submitted for due dates on or after January 25, 2015
The new biosketch will:• extend the page limit from
four to five• allow researchers to describe
up to five most significant contributions to science along with the historical background that framed their research
What is the NCBI Biosketch Generator
Application?The Science Experts Network Curriculum Vitae
(SciENcv), serves as an interagency system designed to create biosketches for multiple federal agencies
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-15-032.html#sthash.KCWFODtE.dpuf
How do we use the NCBI SciENcv biosketch generator?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PRWy-3GXhtU&feature=youtu.be
Pros and Cons of the new format and use of SciENcv biosketch generator
Cons
Time consuming to reformat existing biosketches
Labor intensive to learn NCBI database and SciENcv app if not currently using them
Focused attention necessary to come up with career choice explanations
Pros
The SciENcv app finds all publications stored in NLM databases with URLs, correct format
Inputting information is relatively straightforward, can be delegated
Several biosketches can be generated from one repository, and stored online
Biosketch sections that must be completed by the PI
Personal Statement Contribution to Science
Briefly describe up to five of your most significant contributions to science. For each contribution, indicate the historical background that frames the scientific problem; the central finding(s); the influence of the finding(s) on the progress of science or the application of those finding(s) to health or technology; and your specific role in the described work.
Briefly describe why you are well-suited for your role in the project described in this application. The relevant factors may include aspects of your training; your previous experimental work on this specific topic or related topics; your technical expertise; your collaborators or scientific environment; and your past performance in this or related fields
Is there support for researchers here at CON to prepare their biosketch?
Meet Hermanie!
Hermanie is a work-study student who is helping me prepare biosketches for research faculty.
Hermanie is studying to become a D.O. and is interested in HIV research, hoping one day to open her own HIV clinic.
Hermanie has put together biosketches for research faculty from their online CVs.
Other support services CON Research Office offers faculty preparing biosketches
Can do:
Contact team members to ask for material to prepare biosketch
Input material into NCBI SciENcv
Print up drafts in MSWord and distribute to team
Edit and proofread final copy, generate pdf final
Cannot do:
Create biosketch for researchers without supporting material
Write the sections of biosketch for the researchers
If publications are not in PubMed, we do not have resources to type them all in
In a perfect world, this would be the support after the first few biosketches
are stored in NCBI SciENcv
NIH
Here are 4
BiosketchTo Go
NIH BIOSKETCH
I’ll take 4 BIOSKTCH
please
Timeline for researcher to start compiling biosketches
Knock these out early! Biosketches are easy to do in the first few months of the grant. Get your materials to the Research Office as early as possible. We will contact your team and begin to enter the information into NCBI SciENcv.
The final responsibility for all biosketches rests with the PI of the grant. Research Office will do all possible to follow up with team, and will notify PI if still having trouble getting material from team members.
As the Primary Investigator, it is up to you to resolve any problems within your team, or write the biosketch sections for team members yourself.
Putting together a grant (or even a biosketch) requires cooperation and
team work…start early, work steadily, and holler
when you need help.GOOD LUCK!!!