Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award, NRSA, institutional research training grants, training grants, other terms and conditions, leave, vacations, holidays, sick leave, other leave, parental leave, terminal leave, unpaid leave, termination, publications and sharing of research results, copyright, inventions and patents, disposition of professional fees, public policy requirements and objectives, human subjects, vertebrate animals

11.3.16 Other Terms and Conditions

11.3.16.1 Leave

Note: The leave durations stated below apply to full-time trainees. Short-term trainee leave must be proportionally adjusted based depending on the duration of appointment.

In general, trainees may receive stipends A payment made to an individual under a fellowship or training grant in accordance with pre-established levels to provide for the individual's living expenses during the period of training. A stipend is not considered compensation for the services expected of an employee. during the normal periods of vacation and holidays observed by individuals in comparable training positions at the sponsoring institution. For the purpose of these awards, however, the period between the spring and fall semesters is considered to be an active time of research and research training and is not considered to be a vacation or holiday. Trainees may receive stipends A payment made to an individual under a fellowship or training grant in accordance with pre-established levels to provide for the individual's living expenses during the period of training. A stipend is not considered compensation for the services expected of an employee. for up to 15 calendar days of sick leave per year. Under exceptional circumstances, this period may be extended by 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. in response to a written request from an AOR. Sick leave may be used for the medical conditions related to pregnancy and childbirth. Trainees may receive stipends A payment made to an individual under a fellowship or training grant in accordance with pre-established levels to provide for the individual's living expenses during the period of training. A stipend is not considered compensation for the services expected of an employee. for up to 60 calendar days (equivalent to 8 work weeks) of parental leave per year for the adoption or the birth of each child. Either parent is eligible for parental leave. Kirschstein-NRSA trainees and fellows must provide advanced notification to the recipient institution prior to taking parental leave. Notification of supervisors and others about plans to use leave must be consistent with the organization's policy and must be consistently applied regardless of the source of funds. A period of terminal leave is not permitted, and payment may not be made from traineeship funds for leave not taken. Trainees requiring periods of time away from their research training experience longer than specified here, i.e., more than 15 calendar days of sick leave or more than 60 calendar days of parental leave, must seek approval from the NIH awarding component for an unpaid leave of absence. Approval for a leave of absence must be requested in advance by an AOR on behalf of the trainee. Trainees supported by academic institutions should refer to the NIH Institutional NRSA training grant guidelines in the NIH Grants Policy Statement for further guidance regarding vacations and requested leave.

Vacations and Holidays. Trainees may receive the same vacations and holidays available to individuals in comparable training positions at the recipient organization. Trainees will continue to receive stipends A payment made to an individual under a fellowship or training grant in accordance with pre-established levels to provide for the individual's living expenses during the period of training. A stipend is not considered compensation for the services expected of an employee. during vacations and holidays. At academic institutions, the time between semesters or academic quarters generally is considered an active part of the training period and is not considered to be a vacation or holiday.

Sick Leave and Other Leave. Trainees may continue to receive stipends A payment made to an individual under a fellowship or training grant in accordance with pre-established levels to provide for the individual's living expenses during the period of training. A stipend is not considered compensation for the services expected of an employee. for up to 15 calendar days of sick leave per year. Under exceptional circumstances, this period may be extended by 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. in response to a written request from an AOR. Sick leave may be used for the medical conditions related to pregnancy and childbirth.

Parental Leave. Trainees may receive stipends A payment made to an individual under a fellowship or training grant in accordance with pre-established levels to provide for the individual's living expenses during the period of training. A stipend is not considered compensation for the services expected of an employee. for up to 60 calendar days (equivalent to 8 work weeks) of parental leave per year for the adoption or the birth of each child. Either parent is eligible for parental leave. Kirschstein-NRSA trainees and fellows must provide advanced notification to the recipient institution prior to taking parental leave. Notification of supervisors and others about plans to use leave must be consistent with the organization's policy and must be consistently applied regardless of the source of funds.

Terminal Leave. A period of terminal leave is not permitted, and payment may not be made from grant funds for leave not taken.

Unpaid Leave. Individuals requiring extended periods of time away from their research training experience, that is, more than 15 calendar days of sick leave or more than 60 calendar days of parental leave, must seek approval 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. for an unpaid leave of absence. A request letter must be submitted by the AOR, signed by the trainee as well as the training grant PD/PI.

During a leave of absence, documentation to suspend the period of appointment must be completed by submitting an amended Statement of Appointment and a Termination Notice. These forms should be submitted 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. at the beginning of the leave. Upon resumption of Kirschstein-NRSA support, the reappointment must be documented on another Statement of Appointment form.

11.3.16.2 Termination

NIH may terminate a Kirschstein-NRSA institutional research training grant before its normal completion date if it determines that the recipient has materially failed to comply with the terms and conditions of the award or to carry out the purpose for which the award was made. If an award is terminated, NIH will notify the recipient organization in writing of this determination, the reasons for the determination, the effective date, and the right to appeal the decision. NIH also may terminate an award at the request of the recipient.

An organization that wants to terminate a training grant before the scheduled termination date must notify 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. immediately. In such cases, NIH will issue a revised NoA Notice of Award: The official, legally binding document, signed (or the electronic equivalent of signature) by a Grants Management Officer that: (1) notifies the recipient of the award of a grant; (2) contains or references all the terms and conditions of the grant and Federal funding limits and obligations; and, (3) provides the documentary basis for recording the obligation of Federal funds in the NIH accounting system. to specify the changed period of support and to show prorated trainee stipends A payment made to an individual under a fellowship or training grant in accordance with pre-established levels to provide for the individual's living expenses during the period of training. A stipend is not considered compensation for the services expected of an employee., depending on the amount of time spent in training.

11.3.16.3 Publications and Sharing of Research Results

NIH supports the practical application and sharing of outcomes of funded research. Therefore, PD/PIs and trainees should make the results and accomplishments of their Kirschstein-NRSA institutional training grant activities available to the research community and to the public at large. The recipient organization should assist trainees in these activities, including further development of discoveries and inventions for furthering research and benefiting the public. No restrictions should be placed on the publication of results.

Trainees are encouraged to submit reports of their findings for publication to the journals of their choice. Responsibility for direction of the project should not be ascribed to NIH. However, NIH 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. support must be acknowledged by a footnote in language similar to the following: "This investigation was supported by the National Institutes of Health under Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (number) from the (name of NIH 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.)." In addition, Federal funding must be acknowledged as provided in Appropriation Mandates-Acknowledgment of Federal Funding in IIA.

The Public Access Policy requirements described in Administrative Requirements-Availability of Research Results-NIH Public Access Policy in IIA apply to articles that are authored or co-authored by NRSA trainees and arose from NIH Support. Information on trainee publications is included as part of the annual progress report.

11.3.16.4 Copyright

Except as otherwise provided in the NoA Notice of Award: The official, legally binding document, signed (or the electronic equivalent of signature) by a Grants Management Officer that: (1) notifies the recipient of the award of a grant; (2) contains or references all the terms and conditions of the grant and Federal funding limits and obligations; and, (3) provides the documentary basis for recording the obligation of Federal funds in the NIH accounting system., when a publication or similar copyrightable material is developed from work supported by NIH, the author is free to arrange for copyright without the approval of 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.. Any such copyrighted materials shall be subject to a royalty-free, nonexclusive, and irrevocable license to the Federal government to reproduce, translate, publish, and use and dispose of such materials, and to authorize others to do so for Federal government purposes.

11.3.16.5 Inventions and Patents

All Kirschstein-NRSA institutional research training grants and other funding agreements awarded primarily for educational purposes are not subject to invention reporting requirements nor does NIH have any rights to inventions under those grants and agreements (as specified in 2 CFR 200.315 and in 37 CFR 401.1(b)).

11.3.16.6 Disposition of Professional Fees

Fees resulting from clinical practice, professional consultation, or other comparable activities performed pursuant to the purpose of the award may not be retained by the trainee. Such fees must be assigned to the recipient organization for disposition in accordance with NIH policy on program income (see Administrative Requirements-Management Systems and Procedures-Program Income in IIA). The term "professional fees" does not apply to honoraria, fees for scholarly writing, delivery of occasional outside lectures, or service in an advisory capacity to public or private non-profit organizations. If permitted by organizational policy, these fees may be retained by the trainee.

11.3.16.7 Public Policy Requirements and Objectives

All Public Policy Requirements, Objectives, and Other Appropriation Mandates discussed in IIA apply to Kirschstein-NRSA Institutional programs when appropriate. Applicants must comply with policies and procedures governing such requirements as civil rights; the protection of human subjects, including data and safety monitoring requirements and inclusion policies for women, minorities and individuals across the lifespan; the humane care and use of live vertebrate animals; human embryonic stem cells; and/or research involving recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid. See IIA for a complete list of applicable requirements.

Additional information and any application requirements can be found in the SF424 (R&R), Section 8. Supplemental Instructions for Preparing Institutional Ruth L. Kirschstein-NRSA Applications.

Information provided below is in addition to that provided in IIA where unique circumstances might exist for institutional training programs.

11.3.16.7.1 Human Subjects

Indefinite Involvement. If the applicant organization has an approved FWA or other applicable assurance on file with OHRP but, at the time of application, plans for the involvement of human subjects are indefinite, the assurance number should be provided in the application. If an award is made, human subjects may not be involved until a certification of IRB approval or designation of exemption has been submitted.

In many instances, trainees supported by Kirschstein-NRSA institutional research training grants will be participating in research supported by research project grants for which the IRB review is already completed or an exemption is already designated. This review or exemption designation is sufficient, provided the research would not be substantially modified by the participation of a trainee. The appropriate grants must be identified along with their IRB review dates or exemption designation. The recipient institution must ensure that trainees have received the proper training/education in human subjects research.

11.3.16.7.2 Vertebrate Animals

Indefinite Involvement. If the applicant organization has an approved Animal Welfare Assurance on file with OLAW but, at the time of application, its plans for the involvement of vertebrate animals are so indefinite that IACUC review and approval are not feasible, the organization should indicate "Yes," to the involvement of Vertebrate Animals and include the Animal Welfare Assurance number. If an award is made, vertebrate animals may not be involved until verification of the IACUC approval date has been submitted 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..

In many instances, trainees supported by institutional research training grants will be participating in research supported by research project grants for which the IACUC review already is completed. This review is sufficient, provided the research would not be substantially modified by the participation of a trainee. The appropriate grants must be identified along with their IACUC review dates. The institution must ensure that trainees are enrolled in the institution's animal welfare training and occupational health and safety programs for personnel who have contact with animals, as appropriate. It is also the institution's responsibility to ensure that trainees are properly supervised when working with live vertebrate animals.

If the applicant organization does not have an approved Animal Welfare Assurance on file with OLAW or for additional information on vertebrate animals, refer to the Application Guide or contact OLAW (see Part III).