Biosketches

A biosketch, short for biographical sketch, is a concise, narrative summary of a person’s professional background and qualifications. It is used in academic and research contexts to help readers assess an individual’s expertise and suitability for a project, grant, or publication. A biosketch typically emphasizes features most relevant to the purpose: current position, education and training, career progression, notable honors or awards, and key contributions to the field, often described in terms of impact or significance. In many funding programs, the biosketch includes a short personal statement about the applicant’s role in the project, plus a list of positions and honors and a section outlining major contributions to science. Biosketches differ from full curricula vitae in that they are concise, targeted, and usually presented in third person rather than as a comprehensive chronological record.

Common forms and contexts include grant applications (for example, NIH and other agencies), conference programs as author bios, and institutional or project websites. Content choices vary by field and audience, but most biosketches avoid sensitive personal information and focus on professional qualifications. Best practices involve tailoring the sketch to the opportunity, highlighting distinct expertise and collaborative roles, using action-oriented language to convey impact, and adhering to the required length. See also biographical sketch, author bio, and curriculum vitae, as well as guidelines from specific funding agencies for required sections and formatting.