A Short Guide to Team Narrative CVs
Resumes for Research and Innovation (R4RIs) are a way to present the skills and capabilities of a grant applicant in narrative form, rather than a traditional CV format. When a team is applying for an award from UKRI, a single R4RI is required for the team rather than individual CVs, limiting the space available to highlight individuals and requiring teams to consider carefully how to approach the RRI and what to include. The Strategic Research Initiatives Team is happy to support UofG teams who have any questions or would like support developing a team narrative CV for a proposal.
Resume for Research and Innovation Modules
Contributions to the generation of new ideas, tools, methodologies or knowledge
Development of others and maintenance of effective working relationships
Contributions to the wider research and innovation community
Contributions to broader research or innovation-users and audiences, and towards wider societal benefit
Considerations to take into account
Your Project
What specific skills, competencies and experience does the team need to demonstrate to show they can deliver the proposal?The Call
What are the core areas of the call? Are there elements in the “what the assessors are looking for” guidance in the “How to Apply” section that aren’t covered by the R4RI modules?Your Team
How big is your team? How can you demonstrate team capability rather than individual capability? How will you represent everyone’s most relevant skills given the limited space?Key Narrative Statements
Develop key narrative statements that show the TEAM can deliver the proposal. Consider each R4RI module and any notes from the call. Teams should tailor statements to the project, call and team. Possible exemplars:
We have a strong track record of interdisciplinary working…
We have developed tools/approaches/methodologies that will ensure successful project delivery…
We hold extensive experience engaging with policy makers to shape public policy…
We have a track record of successful leadership of relevant large/complex projects…
Our body of research demonstrates research excellence in areas the proposal addresses…
We take a collaborative approach to mentorship…
We demonstrate our commitment to academic service through funder peer review contributions…
We hold influential advisory roles at geographic scales relevant for our proposed activity…
We have a track record of co-development with non-academic stakeholders…
We have developed innovative approaches to supervision/mentorship…
Our commitment to service is shown by through our editorial roles on journals directly relevant to the call…
We are responsible for enabling new communication pathways to facilitate innovation…
We are connected to key dissemination networks…
Collect information and evidence
Collect information/evidence from the team to support each of the key narrative statements. Information/evidence should be tailored to the key narrative statements, the project and the call. Some kinds of information/evidence that may be useful to consider asking for/including:
Provide links and DOIs to 3-5 publications (exact number may depend on the size of the team) that you think showcase your research expertise in relation to your role in the project and provide a short explanation of how each one demonstrates your expertise.
What methodologies or tools that are relevant to the proposal have you developed OR led development of (specify which) and how have been used (provide reference DOI)?
How many grants (number and total value) have you led as PI? As Co-I? Please provide details for any grant specifically relevant to the current proposal.
How many ECRs have you mentored throughout your career? How many of those do you currently collaborate with?
How many PhD students have you supervised (either as main or co-supervisor) to completion?
What journals that are directly relevant to this bid do you currently sit on the editorial boards of (provide journal titles)?
What advisory roles have you held in either the public of private sector and what changes have happened due to your inputs?
What media outlets/channels/publications have you been interviewed by or created content for (provide links)?
What funders do you serve as a peer reviewer for or sit on their funding boards (specify)?
What specific contributions have you made to increasing research integrity and improving research and innovation culture and inclusivity?
Is there anything specific that you have delivered in terms of support (especially if something creative, or with excellent outputs/destinations) for PhDs/PDRAs?
Is there anything else that you think is particularly important to include to make a strong case for team capability?
Compile the Data
Compile the R4RI, choosing information/evidence that most closely align with the proposal, the call and the competencies the team need to demonstrate. Some final things to bear in mind:
The larger the team, the longer it takes to compile information and develop a coherent narrative. Plan for at least 2 weeks to collect information/evidence, 1 week to develop a draft and then 1-2 weeks to revise, particularly if the rest of the application is simultaneously being drafted/revised. Make sure the R4RI demonstrates the necessary competencies for the FINAL proposal draft.
Early in the process, be sure to double-check that the call guidance and templates match what is allowable on the submission system. There may be inconsistencies, particularly as The Funding Service evolves.
Be specific with information requests so people know exactly what details you need.
The same word count applies for a given application regardless of the size of the team. Larger teams should focus on demonstrating team competency and accept that some individual accomplishments cannot be included.
The word count is the limiting factor – use bolding and white space for emphasis.
Additional Resources
The narrative CV is a relatively new element for funding proposals and we are still learning, but below are the resources we are aware of.
| Team Narrative CV (fictional example) - This is a fictionalized team narrative CV that follows the UKRI Resume for Research and Innovation format | Link to Fictional Team Narrative CV Example |
| UKRI Guidance Résumé for Research and Innovation (R4RI) - UKRI general guidance for narrative CVs | Link to UK guidance |
| Making Narrative CVs work for your researchers - a blog by Dr Rachel Herries, Research Culture Manager at the University of Glasgow | Link to Making Narrative CVs work for your researchers |
| Are Narrative CVs better? - a blog by Dr Elizabeth Adams, Independent Coach and Research Culture Consultant at Scafell Coaching | https://theauditorium.blog/2025/04/03/are-narrative-cvs-better/ |
| It takes a village: supporting researchers to weave narratives that shine - a blog by Dr Elizabeth Adams, Independent Coach and Research Culture Consultant at Scafell Coaching | https://theauditorium.blog/2025/11/04/it-takes-a-village-supporting-researchers-to-weave-narratives-that-shine/ |
| Narrative CV Webinar August 2021 - a webinar by Dr Elizabeth Adams and Dr Tanita Casci sharing the findings of Glasgow's narrative CV project | Link to YouTube video |
| Royal Society Résumé for Researchers Guidance - an overview and guidance on the Royal Society's narrative CV format | https://royalsociety.org/topics-policy/projects/research-culture/tools-for-support/resume-for-researchers/ |
| How to write a narrative CVs for funding applications - the University of Oxford's youtube webinar for narrative CVs | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKk8oKM_kec |
| Creating your Resume for Researchers or Narrative CV - the University of Leeds Sway on narrative CVs |
https://sway.cloud.microsoft/leRUQ6hLgatSupGY |
| Narrative CV - guidance from the University of Cambridge | https://sway.cloud.microsoft/otUMsrH2mg78EnHt?ref=Link |
| Information and guidance on Narrative CVs - guidance from the University of Edinburgh | https://institute-academic-development.ed.ac.uk/research-roles/research-only-staff/career-management/narrative-cvs |