Academic CV structure
Use this as the skeleton for your own CV. Keep it to two pages for most scholarships unless the funder says otherwise. Fill each section with your own real detail, and drop any section that does not apply to you.
Suggested order
Full name Contact: email · phone · city, country · (optional) LinkedIn / ORCID EDUCATION Degree, institution, location, dates. Grade/GPA. Thesis title if relevant. RESEARCH / RELEVANT EXPERIENCE Role, organisation, dates. 2-3 bullet points of what you did and the result. PUBLICATIONS / PROJECTS (if any) Formatted consistently. Newest first. AWARDS & HONOURS Award, awarding body, year. SKILLS Languages (with level), technical/lab/software skills relevant to the field. LEADERSHIP & SERVICE Positions, volunteering, community work. Show impact, not just titles. REFEREES "Available on request", or listed if the funder asks.
What makes it strong
- Reverse chronological order within each section (newest first)
- Bullet points describe results, not just duties
- Consistent formatting: same date style, tense, and punctuation throughout
- Tailored to the award: the most relevant experience is nearest the top
- No photo, age, or marital status unless the funder explicitly asks
This is a structure to fill with your own real experience, not content to copy.
Put it to use
Browse scholarships open for application now, or read the advice guides for the detail behind each step.