T32 Training Grant Allowability

[wass...@umn.edu]

T-32 NIH Training Grant

Are non-required student fees allowable on T32 Training Grants?

Example: other expenses that are incurred on a trainee's Student Account such as Metro Pass.


It does not appear that NOT-OD-14-046 clarifies what type of student fees are allowable.

Any insights are greatly appreciated.

Thank you,

[Travis Olson]

The Grants Policy Statement, Trainee Tuition and Fees subsection states

Tuition and fees are allowable trainee costs only if such charges are applied consistently to all individuals in a similar training status at the organization, without regard to their source of support.

I'll say it is not allowable because the charge is optional and not directly related to the training program.

[Liz Hinske]

It is my understanding that other, non tuition fee expenses would not fall under the Tuition & fees budget category but rather the Institutional Allowance or Trainee-related expenses category.  That category is more broad and allows for other expenses which defray the cost of the training. This could include books, travel, health insurance, etc. but you mentioned Metro Pass.  I would advise caution on that expense as the policy is specific and states that "funds may not be expended to cover the cost of travel between the fellow's place of residence and the domestic training institution, except that the sponsoring institution may authorize the cost of a one-way travel allowance in a an individual case of extreme hardship" (See policy text http://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/nihgps_2011/nihgps_ch11.htm#_Toc271265032 ).  I would interpret this to mean that we can not buy a Metro Pass for a trainee to use for getting to/from campus. 

Hope that helps.

[Seth Goldberg]

In addition to the other points, I would point out that a Metro Pass isn't a fee, it's a personal expense charged to the student account for convenience.