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SciENcv: Section A: Personal Statement

Filling In Your Personal Statement

1. Under the 'Personal Statement' section, select 'Edit statement.' Briefly describe why you are well-suited for your role(s) in this project. 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/or your past performance in this or related fields, including ongoing and completed research projects from the past three years that you want to draw attention to.

A screenshot of 'section A: Personal Statement.' An arrow points to 'Edit citation' next to 'A. Personal Statement.'

2. Type or paste in your personal statement. Once complete, click the checkmark to save your personal statement. 

The text box for 'A. Personal Statement' is displayed. At the bottom, there are three boxes with a green checkmark, a red x and a yellow question mark in each box. An arrow points to the box with the green checkmark.

3. You may cite up to four publications or research products* that highlight your experience and qualifications for this project. To add citations, click 'Select citations.' 

A screenshot of the 'A. Personal Statement' section. Near the bottom, an arrow points to 'Select citations.'

*Research products can include, but are not limited to, audio or video products; conference proceedings such as meeting abstracts, posters, or other presentations; patents; data and research materials; databases; educational aids or curricula; instruments or equipment; models; protocols; and software or netware. Use of hyperlinks and URLs to cite these items is not allowed. 

4. Once you have added four citations, select 'Save citations.' Please move forward to Section B: Positions, Scientific Appointments and Honors. 

The 'My Bibliography' menu is displayed. There are links to 'Add citations' and 'Go to My Bibliography.' An arrow points to 'Save citations' at the top.

Source: General Application Guide for NIH and Other PHS Agencies: G.240-R&R Senior/Key Person Profile (Expanded) Form. (2022). NIH Grants & Funding. https://grants.nih.gov/grants/how-to-apply-application-guide/forms-h/general/g.240-r&r-seniorkey-person-profile-(expanded)-form.htm#Instructions

Notes on the Personal Statement

Note the following additional instructions for ALL applicants/candidates:

  • If you wish to explain factors that affected your past productivity, such as family care responsibilities, illness, disability, or military service, you may address them in this "A. Personal Statement" section.
  • Indicate whether you have published or created research products under another name.
  • You may mention specific contributions to science that are not included in Section C. Do not present or expand on materials that should be described in other sections of this Biosketch or application.
  • Figures, tables, or graphics are not allowed.

Note the following instructions for specific subsets of applicants/candidates:

  • For institutional research training, institutional career development, or research education grant applications, faculty who are not senior/key persons are encouraged, but not required, to complete the "A. Personal Statement" section.
  • Applicants for dissertation research awards (e.g., R36) should, in addition to addressing the points noted above, also include a description of their career goals, their intended career trajectory, and their interest in the specific areas of research designated in the FOA.
  • Candidates for research supplements to promote diversity in health-related research should, in addition to addressing the points noted above, also include a description of their general scientific achievements and/or interests, specific research objectives, and career goals. Indicate any current source(s) of educational funding.