T32 - Unfilled slots

[Liz Hinske]

Does anyone have a definitive answer for what funds from an unfilled slot are to be returned to the sponsor at the end of a competitive segment on a NIH-T32?  Is it just stipend or also tuition and training related expenses?  Please share your method of calculation as well with your answer.  I appreciate your time, thank you!

[Seth Goldberg]

I assume it will be continuing on a new segment as opposed to closing out?

[Liz Hinske]

Thanks for the inquiry, actually I have both scenarios -- one ending/closing out and one just starting a new competitive segment.  I should also clarify the language in my original question as well.  When I said "returned to the sponsor" I meant not just cash returned at close out but also unobligated balances from unfilled slots at the end of a competitive segment.  How much should be left?  I am thinking stipend amount at a minimum but should there also be funds for tuition and training related expenses?

[Seth Goldberg]

I believe this is true for both ending and restarting a new competitive segment.

You're allowed to use all of the training related expenses once allotted, regardless of filled slots. So the answer there would be zero has to go back.

For tuition, again you can use all of what was allotted, regardless of filled slots, so if you received $30K for three slots, if appropriate you can use that $30K on two trainees, the key word being appropriate.

Stipend is managed by their appointment, so you can't spend more than the SOA's for you're filled slots, anything left is back to the Feds. Anything left over would go back as part of the unobligated funds which cannot, as far as I know, carry into a new segment.