A Note on NSF Biosketch Information

Biosketch Template

To create your biosketch for NSF, you must use SciENcv as of October 1, 2023.

  • SciENcv (Science Experts Network Curriculum Vitae) This is a free electronic tool that generates a biosketch after you key in information on your publications, expertise, employment, education and professional accomplishments. It can also be used for generating a document with your current and pending support. SciEncv establishes a unique id for you through an ORCID account system. To begin the process:
  • First, log into your NSF account at Research.gov.  Then, open this "How-to"  pdf,  press "click on start" and then click on the "NSF login" button at the left.  This will automatically set up an ORCID account to let you into the system.  Then, allow 30 minutes after you create your account to access the system and create your biosketch to fill in the information.  
  • You will need an ORCID account number to add your publications and your current and pending support through the system.  If you have questions about your current and pending support, please work with Research Adminstrator Darlene Sliwa to resolve these before entering this information into the portal.
  • Here is a video on SciENcv for NSF proposals.  And a guide on getting set up in SciENcv here.

    NSF Biosketch How-To Instructions

    How-to instructions for completing a biosketch and current and pending support through SciENcv:

    Synergistic Activities

    Reviewers will check the Synergistic Activities section of your biosketch to evaluate how qualified you are for carrying our your proposed research program. NSF advises using specific examples, rather than listing whole categories of activities. Example of activities include:

    • 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
    • broadening the participation of groups underrepresented in STEM; and
    • service to the scientific and engineering community outside of Amherst College
    OK Better
    Developed and taught new course in molecular biology Developed a Course-based Undergraduate Research Experience (CURE) to actively engage early undergraduate students to Molecular Biology
    Developed a website to make the research protocols associated with my previous projects available to other researchers Developed a set of research protocols and broadly disseminated them to relevant users via an open access easy-to-use web interface and listserv
    Served as research advisor to several minority and women undergraduate students in my lab Formalized lab practices of peer-mentoring and professional development and actively recruited students traditionally underrepresented in STEM; to date 7 women/URM research students have gone on to enroll in graduate school.
    Organized a symposium for the Environmental Microbiology annual meetings. Conceptualized, organized, and secured funding for the symposium "Macroevolution in the Microbial World" held during the 2018 Environmental Microbiology conference.

    Watch a Short video from UMass Lowell with advice on Synergistic Activities