Details of Fellowship Benefits/Obligations

STIPEND:
Based on current NIH-approved levels and years of post-doctoral experience.  For more information, see http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-04-023.html
Annual appointments, with a three-year minimum commitment expected of pre-doctoral trainees, a two-year minimum commitment of postdoctoral trainees.   Five-year maximum pre-doctoral support, three-year maximum post-doctoral support.

SERVICE PAYBACK OBLIGATION: 
Applies only to postdoctoral trainees during their first 12 months of training. The second and subsequent years of postdoctoral training will serve to pay back a postdoctoral service payback obligation.  For more information, see http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-02-109.html

TUITION:
Full payment of tuition and fees.

TRAVEL:
Reimbursement of pre-approved travel expenses to one professional meeting per grant year.

OTHER RESEARCH-RELATED EXPENSES:
Reimbursement for textbooks and other required course materials, as well as certain other research-related expenses, on a pre-approval basis.

HEALTH INSURANCE:
Premiums are paid for self or family coverage.

VACATION/SICK/PATERNAL LEAVE:
Trainees receive stipends during the normal periods of vacation and holidays observed at the University of Minnesota.  The period between spring and fall semesters is an active time of research training and is not considered to be a vacation or holiday.

Trainees may receive stipends for up to 15 calendar days of sick leave per year.  Sick leave may be used for the medical conditions related to pregnancy and childbirth. 

OFFICE SPACE:
Trainees are generally housed individually with the research advisor to whom they are assigned.

ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT:
No routine clerical support is provided by the training grant.  An assistant to the Program Director will coordinate administrative functions such as processing of appointment documents, tuition and health insurance premium payments, and reimbursements for travel and other training-related expenses.