Most federal sponsors require senior/key personnel to disclose resources made available to them. This information is provided on the Current and Pending, or Other, Support document. Affiliations and appointments are listed on the Biosketch.
The NIH announced a preview of changes to the Biosketch and Other Support documents. Review how to Prepare for NIH moving to Common Forms.
Sponsors may request information on other active and pending support to assess:
- Capacity: determine if an individual has the capacity to complete the proposed research, considering their existing commitments.
- Overlap/Duplication: identify potential overlaps or duplications of research efforts, both scientifically and budgetarily.
- Over Commitment: assess if an individual is overcommitting themselves with the proposed project.
What to Disclose on Current and Pending (Other) Support
- Disclose all resources made available or expected to be made available in support of and/or related to research or development
- Regardless of whether they have monetary value
- Regardless of whether they are based at WashU
- Include all foreign and domestic activities/support
- Include WashU and non-WashU activities
- Include support provided directly to the individual and support received through WashU
Resources are typically split into two main sections:
Active and Pending Projects/Proposals
- Include any financial support for research activities either received through WashU, individually, or third-party
- For the amount, include direct and indirect costs for the entire project period
- Separate support into Active and Pending
Examples:- Active grants or awards
- Pending proposals
- Gifts in support of research
- Research activities paid for by a foreign entity
- Startup packages from organizations other than WashU
- Pending foreign support or collaborations
- Personal consulting activities where you are involved in the design, conduct, or reporting of research
In-Kind Contributions
- Include non-financial contributions not intended for use on the project / proposal
- Provide a summary of the in-kind contribution and an estimated dollar value
Examples:- Office or laboratory space
- Equipment or supplies
- Materials that are not freely available (data, biologics, chemicals, model systems, technology, etc.)
- Visitors, employees, postdocs, or students not fully supported by WashU and/or supported by an outside source
- Travel supported/paid by an external entity to perform research activities with an associated time commitment
Gifts (resources provided where there is no expectation of any research activities) are not required to be disclosed. However, some sponsors have a very narrow definition of a gift. Review How to Distinguish Between Financial Support and a Gift.
WashU developed guidance and FAQs for more specific situations and questions for disclosing to the NIH. Much of the content is also applicable to other sponsors.
Completing the Document
Many sponsors require or allow use of the Common Forms completed in SciENcv to complete the Current and Pending (Other) Support document. The Common Forms represent a collaborative effort between federal research agencies to ensure standard disclosure requirements as outlined in the National Security Presidential Memorandum – 33.
NIH
Other Support documents for NIH are required as part of the Just-in-Time process. Documents are submitted through eRA Commons.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is expected to move to the SciENcv Common Forms in November 2025. Preview versions of the Common Forms are available in SciENcv. Review more information about changes expected as a result of moving to the Common Forms.
NSF
The National Science Foundation (NSF) requires use of the Common Forms in SciENcv for Current and Pending (Other) Support and the Biosketch.
Other Sponsors
Follow sponsor’s guidance for disclosure requirements, formatting, and timing.