The narrative CV
Learn about the purpose of narrative CVs, Aotearoa New Zealand's move to use them, and access templates and exemplars.
What is a narrative CV?
The narrative CV allows researchers to showcase their diverse contributions and achievements in a descriptive format, highlighting a broad range of skills and experiences. Unlike traditional academic CVs that prioritise publication-based metrics, the narrative CV captures the full spectrum of research contributions, including impact and engagement. It provides space for researchers to detail their involvement in inter- and transdisciplinary research, societal engagement, knowledge exchange, knowledge generation and dissemination, and efforts to develop research impact.
The global shift towards the use of narrative CV began with the Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA) in the USA in 2012 which recognised the need to improve the ways in which the outputs of scholarly research are evaluated. The declaration has become a worldwide initiative covering all scholarly disciplines and key partners including funders, publishers, professional societies, institutions and researchers. DORA’s vision is to advance practical and robust approaches to research assessment globally and across all scholarly disciplines, individuals and organisations.
Narrative CVs in Aotearoa New Zealand
The funding landscape in Aotearoa New Zealand has evolved in recent years to include the narrative CV in application processes, notably in the MBIE Endeavour Fund and the Royal Society’s Fast-Start and Tāwhia te Mana Fellowships. While not yet universally adopted, the narrative CV is increasingly valued as a tool for highlighting both academic and societal impact. It is particularly beneficial for early career researchers and those with non-linear career paths or diverse research outputs.
University of Auckland researchers can use this template for their applications to other University of Auckland funds or awards applications if required.
How to format a narrative CV: templates and exemplars
Supplementary resources on formatting a narrative CV, including templates and exemplars from Aotearoa New Zealand domestic and international funders, are included below. Additional resources such as an online course and video guidance are provided for further support.
How to format a narrative CV
Most funding applications that requires a narrative CV follow the Resume for Research and Innovation (R4RI) guidance which focuses on four areas of research contributions:
- Knowledge: Contributions to the generation of new ideas, tools, methodologies or knowledge.
- Developing others: Contributions to the development of others and maintenance of effective working relationships.
- Wider research community: Contributions to the wider research and innovation community.
- Broader society: Contributions to broader research/innovation users and audiences and towards wider societal benefit.
Templates for narrative CVs from NZ and international funders
MBIE and Royal Society Fast Start narrative CV template
MBIE narrative CV template for Endeavour Funding applications. This template is also used by Royal Society for Fast Start applications.
Royal Society Tawhia te Mana Fellowships Narrative CV template
Narrative CV template created by Royal Society Tawhia te Mana Fellowships.
NIH - fellowship Biographical sketch template
Fellowship Biographical sketch template created by NIH for funding applications.
NIH - non-fellowship Biographical sketch template
Non-fellowship Biographical sketch template created by NIH for grant applications.
Exemplars for narrative CVs from NZ and international funders
MBIE - narrative CV exemplar - Māori researcher
An exemplar narrative CV by a Māori researcher (provided by MBIE).
MBIE - narrative CV exemplar - Māori impact researcher
An exemplar narrative CV by a Māori impact researcher (provided by MBIE).
MBIE - narrative CV exemplar - early career researcher
An exemplar narrative CV by an early career researcher (provided by MBIE).
MBIE - narrative CV exemplar - impact researcher
An exemplar narrative CV by a researcher showing the impact of their research (provided by MBIE).
NIH - non-fellowship (general) Biographical sketch sample
An exemplar of a non-fellowship (general) biographical sketch used for National Institution of Health (NIH) for grants.
NIH - fellowship Biographical sketch sample
An exemplar of a fellowship Biographical sketch used for National Institution of Health (NIH) for funding applications.
Additional resources for developing a narrative CV
MBIE PowerPoint presentation slide deck
MBIE's 'narrative CV for researchers' webinars held in 2023 provide an overview of the work done so far to introduce the narrative CV and some tips on how to populate the templates.
Royal Society (UK) Résumé for Researchers
Template to support the evaluation of individuals’ varied contributions to research.
University of Glasgow online course
A 25-minute course to support researchers in writing a narrative CV format application, and in particular for early-career researchers using the Royal Society Résumé for Researchers. (Creative Commons credit: Lab for Academic Culture at the University of Glasgow.)
There is guidance to assist researchers in this video, Writing a narrative CV: a few tips.
Research Impact Framework
Giovanna Lima and Sarah Bowman's excellent resource to help craft an impact narrative. As this is an overseas resource, it does not have our unique Aotearoa lens. For more information on impact narrative, visit Crafting an impact narrative.