FAQ

Can my admin certify for me?

No. Certification must be completed by the individual from their own SciENcv account.

Can I edit the PDF after I download it?

Don’t. Any edit risks breaking the machine-readable metadata.

Do I always submit CPOS with an NIH application?

No. For many NIH applications, current and pending support is requested later in the process (often during JIT) or in RPPR/Prior Approval workflows. At application stage, follow the NOFO and the NIH Application Guide. One important application-stage exception is mentored career development applications, which require CPOS for mentor/co-mentor(s), not for the candidate.

Where do I put citations for my Personal Statement and Contributions?

Do not add a formal references list in the NIH Supplement narrative boxes. Put the citable items in Products in the Common Form, and refer to them informally in the narrative.

Can I reuse an older certified PDF?

Only if the content is still current and the certification/signature date is still within 12 months of submission. If anything changes, or the certification is too old, generate a fresh PDF from SciENcv and re-certify it. Renaming the file is fine; editing the PDF content is not.

Do I report institutional core facilities or shared equipment in CPOS?

Usually no. Broadly available institutional core facilities and shared equipment belong under Facilities and Other Resources, not Other Support / CPOS.

Do I report an in-kind contribution if there is no associated time commitment?

No. NIH says an in-kind contribution does not need to be reported when there is no associated commitment of the individual’s time.

flowchart TD
    accTitle: FAQ decision shortcuts
    accDescr: FAQ shortcuts distinguish certification authority, PDF handling, CPOS timing, product citations, reuse of PDFs, and in-kind reporting.
    A["Question"] --> B{"Topic"}
    B -- "Certification" --> C["Named individual only"]
    B -- "Downloaded PDF" --> D["Do not edit or flatten"]
    B -- "CPOS timing" --> E["Follow role, stage, NOFO, and guide"]
    B -- "Narrative citations" --> F["Use Products, not formal reference lists"]
    B -- "Reuse old PDF" --> G["Only if current and within 12 months"]
    B -- "In-kind support" --> H["Report only when threshold and time commitment apply"]