Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Awards, NRSAs, NRSA, individual fellowship, period of support

11.2.6 Period of Support

No individual may receive more than 5 years of aggregate Kirschstein-NRSA support at the predoctoral level and 3 years of aggregate Kirschstein-NRSA support at the postdoctoral level, including any combination of Kirschstein-NRSA support from institutional research training grants and individual fellowships. For individual MD/PhD or other dual-doctoral degree fellowships (F30 only), individuals may receive up to 6 years of aggregate NRSA support at the pre-doctoral level, including any combination of support from institutional research training grants and individual fellowships. Over the total duration of dual degree support, at least 50 percent of the award period must be devoted to graduate research training leading to the doctoral research degree. For F30 applications for dual-degree candidates other than DDS/PhD, DMD/PhD, and AuD/PhD candidates, applicants must have matriculated into a dual-degree program no more than 48 months prior to the due date of the initial (-01) application. For DDS/PhD, DMD/PhD, and AuD/PhD degree candidates to be eligible, an applicant must have matriculated into a dual-degree program and identified a dissertation research project and sponsor(s).

Any exception to the maximum period of support requires a waiver from the NIH awarding IC The NIH organizational component responsible for a particular grant program or set of activities. The terms "NIH IC," or "awarding IC" are used throughout this document to designate a point of contact for advice and interpretation of grant requirements and to establish the focal point for requesting necessary prior approvals or changes in the terms and conditions of award. based on review of a justification from the individual and sponsoring institution. The AOR of the sponsoring institution must make the request in writing to the NIH awarding IC The NIH organizational component responsible for a particular grant program or set of activities. The terms "NIH IC," or "awarding IC" are used throughout this document to designate a point of contact for advice and interpretation of grant requirements and to establish the focal point for requesting necessary prior approvals or changes in the terms and conditions of award. on behalf of the fellow, and must secure and retain, but need not submit to NIH, the fellow and sponsor's signatures. The request must specify the amount of additional support for which approval is sought. Individuals seeking additional support beyond the third year of postdoctoral support are strongly advised to consult with their PO before submitting a waiver request.

Some generally recognized categories under which NIH may grant exceptions include the following:

• Physicians/Clinicians. Individuals requiring additional time to complete training, either as participants in a combined M.D./Ph.D. program or as clinicians (e.g., physicians, dentists, veterinarians) who are completing postdoctoral research training. An exception is contingent upon an assurance of the recipient's good academic standing and sufficient justification.
• Interruptions (Break in Service). Requests for additional time also will be considered if an event unavoidably alters the planned course of the research training, if the interruption has significantly detracted from the nature or quality of the planned research training, and if a short extension would permit completion of the training as planned. Such events include sudden loss of the preceptor's services or an accident, illness, or other personal situation, which prevent a fellow from effectively pursuing research training for a significant period of time. Requests for extension of support also will be considered if a short additional period would provide the fellow an opportunity to use an exceptional training resource directly related to the approved research training program.

Requests for additional time that do not arise from either of the above-described circumstances will be considered only if they are accompanied by an exceptionally strong justification.