Training Grant Appointments

Typically, MCB students are funded on training grants for their first two years in the Ph.D. program. The third year and beyond students are supported by their mentor or on fellowship funds. There are exceptions to this policy and some students continue to be supported on training grants beyond the second year.

You must take an ethics course during your first appointment to any National Institutes of Health (NIH) training grant. MCB offers an ethics course each spring semester (MCB 293C) in which non-MCB students are welcome to enroll. Non-MCB students can take a similar course in their own department but must show proof to the MCB Graduate Affairs Office (GAO). We will waive the requirement for those who have taken an ethics course at another institution provided it was at the graduate level.

Post-docs are usually funded for two years with a possibility of continuation based upon research progress. You should not have more than a combined five years NRSA support including any prior postdoctoral support.

You will be contacted annually to update your research and publications. This reporting is required by NIH to ensure the quality of the training programs funded by the NIH. After graduation or completion of postdoctoral position, you will be contacted annually to update your information, i.e. current address, employment, career changes. The GAO will contact each trainee, past and present for 10 years from the time of first appointment to a grant. To assist us in this required reporting we would appreciate your help in keeping your address current with the GAO.

You have probably already filled out a Statement of Appointment form. You must come to the GAO at the end of every fiscal year, (FY = July 1-June 30), and either reappoint to the same or another training grant or, if past your second year, terminate from the training grant. To terminate from a training grant you must write a brief paragraph explaining your research during the prior year. This paragraph should be provided in electronic form (preferably by email). Further, if you are moving from one training grant to another, for instance moving from Molecular Basis of Cell Function to Immunology or Genetics, you must terminated from one grant before you can be appointed to another.

Divisional retreats attended by first year graduate students are funded in part by the $300 travel funds. Thus, first-years do not receive additional travel funds from the grant. Their $300 will be used for support of the Divisional retreats. Second year or beyond students presenting at a meeting may request travel support up to the level funded by the grant per trainee.

Post-docs receive $600 per year for travel.

NIH must be acknowledged in your CV or Biography and all publications. Sample formats are below:

Honors and Awards [in CV / Biographical Sketch]

1994-1997 National Institutes of Health Predoctoral [or Postdoctoral] Fellowship.

Acknowledgements [in Publications]

This research was funded in part by a National Institutes of Health NRSA Trainee appointment on grant number T32 (from Statement of Appointment form).

For Non-MCB students:

Be aware that appointment to the training grant limits the amount of time that you can be appointed in other titles such as GSR and GSI, which may affect your salary. If your payroll unit is not MCB you should bring your funding information to the attention of the Human Resources staff in your department or unit. If you have any questions, please direct them to Eric Buhlis (3-2387) or Eileen Bell (2-0944).