Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award, NRSA, institutional research training grants, training grants, certification of payback activities, annual payback activities certification, form PHS 6031-1, change of address, breaks in Kirschstein-NRSA support, National Health Service Corps, NHSC

11.4.4 Certification of Payback Activities

11.4.4.1 Annual Payback Activities Certification (Form PHS 6031-1)

11.4.4.2 Annual Certification

Payback service is certified through the use of the Kirschstein-NRSA APAC (PHS 6031-1). Individuals with an outstanding payback obligation must complete an APAC annually until their payback obligation is fulfilled.

If an individual has a payback obligation, an APAC is sent by the PSC approximately one year after the completion of Kirschstein-NRSA support. Payback service may be initiated within the first 12 months of termination even though trainees and fellows have up to 24 months to initiate payback. There is no penalty to those individuals who do not initiate payback within the first 12 months; however, it is critical that they complete an APAC form to ensure contact is maintained and addresses are current.

The individual will report on the APAC the activity in which they were engaged for the preceding 12 months, within the specified reporting period. These forms are to be returned within 30 days of the reporting period end date to the address specified on the mailing label included with the form.

The PSC reviews the forms, determines acceptability of reported activities, and then informs the former trainee or fellow of their status. This process will continue annually until the individual's total payback obligation is satisfied.

11.4.4.3 Change of Address

Any change in the mailing address of a Kirschstein-NRSA recipient must be reported promptly to the PSC until the service obligation is fully discharged. Notification of changes can be made by letter, telephone, fax, or e-mail to NRSAPaybackCenter@mail.nih.gov.

11.4.4.4 Breaks in Kirschstein-NRSA Support

Sometimes a trainee/fellow will have a period of non-Kirschstein-NRSA support between two Kirschstein-NRSA awards. An appropriate activity performed during this period of time may count for payback purposes toward the first Kirschstein-NRSA award. If the nonsupport period is 6 months or longer, the individual receives an APAC form through the regular mechanism. However, if the break is less than 6 months, an APAC will not be mailed automatically. If acceptable payback service was performed during the break, the individual may complete an APAC, which can be obtained from the NIH web site.

11.4.4.5 National Health Service Corps

A Kirschstein-NRSA recipient may have also been a National Health Service Corps (NHSC) scholar. Kirschstein-NRSA recipients that also have been NHSC scholars are required to fulfill their NHSC service commitment through direct clinical service to the underserved in accordance with NHSC policy. Any Kirschstein-NRSA payback must be fulfilled separately through acceptable Kirschstein-NRSA payback service.